Broadway at Birdland
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Last Week
January 15, 2009
Composer Scott Alan always brings us a huge show filled with his wonderfully melodic tunes - and a first-rate cast of Broadway regulars and up-n-comers! This past Monday was no exception! That's Scott on the left, thanks to Linda Lenzi at BroadwayWorld.com, with [title of show] diva Heidi Blickenstaff and Wicked sorceress Lisa Brescia, who sang his songs and praises!
Composer Scott Alan always brings us a huge show filled with his wonderfully melodic tunes - and a first-rate cast of Broadway regulars and up-n-comers!  This past Monday was no exception!  That's Scott (left), surrounded by [title of show] diva Heidi Blickenstaff and Wicked sorceress Lisa Brescia, who sang his songs and praises!  We were also thrilled to have Jenn Colella, Erin Davie, Hadley Fraser, Lauren Thomas, Marcus Paul James, Nikki James, Saycon Sengbloh, Merle Dandridge, Allie Trimm, Jesse Kissel, Liam Tamne, Katie Thompson, Natalie Weiss and The Broadway Boys singing their collective faces off! 
I had heard the rumor that one of my musical heroes, Jon Hendricks, might be joining us with his brilliantly talented daughter, Aria (left, with yours truly). Jon, in case you don't know, turned the jazz world upside down in the 50's as part of the vocal trio Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. They virtually created the jazz vocalise, y'all. Anyway, the talented Hendricks family did indeed show up to conquer the Cast Party scene! And oh Lord, the crowd went wild!
The following Cast Party was another one for the memory book! I had heard the rumor that one of my musical heroes, Jon Hendricks, might be joining us with his brilliantly talented daughter, Aria (left, with yours truly). Jon, in case you don't know, turned the jazz world upside down in the 50's as part of the vocal trio Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. They virtually created the jazz vocalise, y'all. Anyway, the talented Hendricks family did indeed show up to conquer the Cast Party scene! And oh Lord, the crowd went wild! The 87-years young Mr. H. has been called “The Poet Laureate of Jazz” and the “James Joyce of Jive,” is on the Kennedy Center Honors Committee, lectured at the Sorbonne, and has an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning documentary about his life. Do you think he'll add Cast Party to his resume? We all enjoyed an evening that also boasted musical brilliance from Ann Hampton Callaway, John Bucchino, David Campbell, Tim Draxl, Nick Christo, Clockwork, Danny Marr, Nicholas King, Kate Shindle and Miss America-hopeful Leigh Taylor Smith, but Jon and Aria Hendricks took us all over the moon! It all happens again this coming Monday, with David Budway and Steve Doyle jamming on piano and bass - with me as your genial host. Can you imagine who might join us?? We hope it's YOU!
- Jim!
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and Theatermania.com are proud to present: Broadway at Birdland
Jim Caruso's Cast Party is proud to announce the return of singer/songwriter PATRICK DeGENNARO to the BROADWAY AT BIRDLAND series on Monday, January 19 at 7pm.
Jim Caruso's Cast Party is proud to announce the return of singer/songwriter PATRICK DeGENNARO to the BROADWAY AT BIRDLAND series on Monday, January 19 at 7pm.  DeGennaro's last  two Birdland appearances were sold out smash hits - his debut show ("The Bacharach Songbook") earned him the 2007 MAC Award for Outstanding Male Vocalist, and his last show's opening song, “Friend” garnered a 2008 MAC nomination for Song Of The Year.  Often compared toBilly Joel and Elton John for his classic pop/rock style, DeGennaro's vocals are in a league of their own.  From hard-edged pop-rock, gospel and funk to silky smooth r&b, and romantic ballads, DeGennaro's concerts are always a satisfying mix of musical styles.  DeGennaro and his band (Alec Berlin: Guitar, Randy Landau: Bass, Clayton Craddock: Drums, John Roggie: Keyboards) have more original tunes planned for this outing, plus a usual slew of classics.

For this performance, DeGennaro has invited a special guest, Annie Golden, star of the films, "Hair" and "12 Monkeys," and the Broadway shows The Full Monty and Assassins. They have some show-stopping duets planned as well as an original collaboration, “Letting Go."
For this performance, DeGennaro has invited a special guest, Annie Golden, star of the films, "Hair" and "12 Monkeys," and the Broadway shows The Full Monty and Assassins. They have some show-stopping duets planned as well as an original collaboration, “Letting Go."

PERFORMANCE DETAILS: PATRICK DEGENNARO FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST ANNIE GOLDEN

WHEN: Monday, January 19 at 7pm, Broadway at Birdland
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
COVER CHARGE:$25 cover, $35 VIP/$10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com

NEXT:
Jeremy Schonfeld, January 26th at 7:00 PM

Our Sponsors
BILLY STRITCH'S WATERS OF MARCH: THE BRAZILIAN ALBUM: "...Stritch imaginatively captures the magic of the bossa nova rhythm on some terrific cuts, including three by Brazilian music icon Antonio Carlos Jobim. Of these, probably the most memorable is "Someone to Light Up My Life," which most Americans first heard on Sarah Vaughan's legendary Brazilian album. Here Stritch captures the simple sensitivity and all the yearning poignancy the composer had in mind when he first penned it. Sergio Mendez's "So Many Stars" takes you on an indolent, dreamy, and gentle journey...[Stritch's] phrasings and delicate nuances are so insightful that the album becomes a powerful musical statement with many subtle, yet potent, moments." -- John Hoglund, Backstage. The CD and all things Billy Stritch are at www.billystritch.com.

BILLY STRITCH'S WATERS OF MARCH: THE BRAZILIAN ALBUM: "...Stritch imaginatively captures the magic of the bossa nova rhythm on some terrific cuts, including three by Brazilian music icon Antonio Carlos Jobim.
TEDD FIRTH, OF THE CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, is a New York City based accompanist, jazz pianist and arranger. He has accompanied many renowned artists, including Lee Ann Womack, Faith Prince, Tom Wopat, Margaret Whiting, Maureen McGovern and Marilyn Maye. Among the jazz musicians he has worked with are John Pizzarelli, Houston Person, Benny Golson and Joe Morello. Mr. Firth's New York appearances include the Blue Note, Birdland, the Iridium, the Algonquin, the Rainbow Room, Carnegie Hall, and the Russian Tea Room. Tedd's arrangements have been performed by the Philadelphia Pops and the Ocean City Pops. Find him on MySpace Music at www.myspace.com/teddfirth.
TEDD FIRTH, OF THE CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, is a New York City based accompanist, jazz pianist, and arranger. He has accompanied many renowned artists, including Lee Ann Womack, Faith Prince, Tom Wopat, Margaret Whiting, Maureen McGovern and Marylin Maye.
STEVE DOYLE, THE CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA BASS PLAYER, has been an active part of the jazz and cabaret scene in New York for the past 18 years, performing with many internationally renowned artists including Bucky Pizzarelli, Billy Stritch, Tony Desare, Rigmor Gustafssen, Klea Blackhurst, Hilary Kole, Dave Stryker, Steve Slagle, Christine Ebersole, Pekka Pylkannen, Stephanie Block, K.T. Sullivan, Emily Skinner, Freddie Bryant, Marilyn Maye, Lari White and many others. Get the full scoop and check out his 1997 CD, Presence, at www.stevedoyle.com .
STEVE DOYLE, THE CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA BASS PLAYER, has been an active part of the jazz and cabaret scene in New York for the past 18 years performing with many internationally renowned artists
DAVID BUDWAY (CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA) IS ONE OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE PIANISTS ON TODAY'S INTERNATIONAL JAZZ SCENE. He is deeply rooted in Classical, Jazz and Rock and Roll Music. In 1992, David made his classical debut as soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. His recording credits include Hubert Laws, Branford Marsalis, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Clark Terry, Michael Brecker, Christiane Noll and others. David has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Liza Minnelli, Dizzy Gillespie, Stanley Turrentine, Ravi Coltrane, Jimmy Heath, Mark Murphy, Joe Pass, Roger Humphries, Art Farmer, Regina Carter, Dave Liebman and The Mingus Big Band. David composed music to the motion pictures “Lift”, and “Giant Steps”, and won two prizes in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition. Look for David's soon to be released Jazz CD “Strike Up the Bud”. Click: DavidBudway.com, or www.myspace.com/davidbudway.
STEVE DOYLE, THE CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA BASS PLAYER, has been an active part of the jazz and cabaret scene in New York for the past 18 years performing with many internationally renowned artists
JIM CARUSO…THE PARTY CONTINUES ON CD: Caruso: Live and In Person, with Billy Stritch on piano. "Jim is funny, facile and fabulous! He performs with charm, wit and style, and is vastly entertaining." -- Michael Feinstein. "A cabaret-lover's dream!" -- Chip Deffaa, New York Post. "An unbeatable act of jazz, pop, comedy and conversation that is different from anything else in town." -- Rex Reed, New York Observer. "This impish, twinkling-eyed performer exudes the buoyant spirits of a conetmporary vaudevillian…with an extremely tart lemon tucked firmly in his cheek." -- Stephen Holden, New York Times.

JIM CARUSO…THE PARTY CONTINUES ON CD: Caruso: Live and In Person, with Billy Stritch on piano.
KEN KLEIBER'S OFFERING VIDEOGRAPHY SERVICES. You have the talent, you booked the room and the crowds came. But what about that sought-after agent who was escorting his star client to a premiere? Or that family member who got stuck out-of-town due to inclement weather? Or that best friend who got the 24-hour flu? They can all re-live your shining performance through the magic of digital video. Videographer Ken Kleiber (host of TV, internet & radio’s "That’s Kentertainment!") not only interviews the stars, he films them too. With over 6 years of videotaping experience, Ken has filmed hundreds of hours of cabarets, concerts, live theatre, dance recitals, comedy sets, interviews, on-tape auditions, parties and more. For more information on Ken’s videotaping, copying and transferring services, please contact Ken at kentertain@yahoo.com. Don’t let that once-in-a-lifetime moment be…just once!
KEN KLEIBER'S OFFERING VIDEOGRAPHY SERVICES.
LIZA'S AT THE PALACE...THE 2-CD SET! Two years of touring with the incomparable Liza Minnelli resulted in a triumphant run of Liza's At The Palace at The Palace Theatre. Check out the website for beautiful video footage, photos, and the brand-new 2-CD set of this unforgettable show. The first act is pure Liza at the top of her form, and the second act celebrates the late, extremely great Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers' historic nightclub act that took the world by storm in the late 40's.  Cortés Alexander, Johnny Rodgers, Tiger Martina and I worked hard to approximate the blend and unique sound that Bob, Dick, Don and Andy Williams brought to Kay's ingenius vocal arrangements. With old pal Billy Stritch at the piano, this project was an absolute dream come true! Hurry to: LizasAtThePalace.com for an exclusive preview of the 2-CD set available now at The Palace Theatere and online and in stores February 3, 2009!
MINNELLI & CARUSO: TOGETHER AGAIN
ON THE CD, AT THE MOVIES, DAVE KOZ, A MULTI-GRAMMY NOMINATED SAX PLAYER with two gold albums and ten top 5 hits to his credit, takes center stage on eight instrumentals: "Over The Rainbow," "As Time Goes By," "The Pink Panther," "Summer of '42," "Cinema Paradiso," "Schindler's List," "It Might Be You" and " The Shadow of Your Smile." The 40-piece orchestra enlisted by Koz and producer Phil Ramone provides a majestic, sweeping soundscape for the saxophonist and his guest vocalists, including Vanessa Williams, who contributes an exquisite version of "The Way We Were," and Johnny Mathis, who perfectly captures the bittersweet quality of "The Shadow Of Your Smile," from The Sandpiper. Other highlights include Anita Baker's elegant rendering of "Somewhere," from West Side Story and Donna Summer's shimmering version of "A Whole New World," from Disney's Aladdin. Barry Manilow duets with Koz on a hip arrangement of Henry Mancini's " Moon River," and India.Aire delivers a deeply personal performance of "It Must Be You," from Tootsie. At The Movies is a must-have for music and film lovers everywhere. Disappear into another world and spend some time At The Movies.
ON THE CD, AT THE MOVIES, DAVE KOZ, A MULTI-GRAMMY NOMINATED SAX PLAYER with two gold albums and ten top 5 hits to his credit, takes center stage on eight instrumentals:
SQUIGS DRAWS THE STARS. Justin 'Squigs' Robertson is well known in the Los Angeles theatre community for capturing show biz folks in pen and ink, and his acclaim is quickly spreading across the country. He loves sushi. His favorite song is 'It's Only A Paper Moon'. And he genuflects upon merely hearing the name of Al Hirschfeld. His whimsical illustration and design is aided and abetted by his parallel career as an actor and entertainer. You can visit for a look at Squigs' take on such talented friends of Cast Party as Jeff Blumenkrantz, Julia Murney, Christine Ebersole, Victoria Clark, Kelli O'Hara, Bob Martin and Liza Minnelli. www.squigsink.com

Squigs draws the showbiz! www.squigsink.com - this week's pic - L-R: Steve Doyle, Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch - The Cast Party Symphony Orchestra!
OUR UPDATED T-SHIRT is now available in Tootsie-Roll brown with safety-cone orange trim, as seen at left, where Jim reveals his secret identity as -- Superhost! Show your love for a certain Monday night Open Mic extravaganza by wearing this 100% cotton, Peruvian-made, American-printed piece of art! The wry "Got Mic?" logo is on the front, and our logo is on the back. They're only $20 and available if you click http://www.castpartynyc.com/Goods.htm.

Jim Caruso ferociously models the official Cast Party t-shirt
The Cabaret Exchange
As always, many thanks to our corporate and private sponsors:
Gianni Valente & Hilary Kole, Randy Swartz & Stage Step, Jamie deRoy & friends, Michael Estwanik, Todd Forman, Steven Minichiello, Matthew Gilbert and Wild Oats Productions, as well as our Birdland sound guru Sean Corcoran and Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. We can't do it without you!

Click here to advertise with us. It costs less than the average banner ad, and you're guaranteed to be seen by tons of fabulous people (look, you're reading this right now, yes?).
About Us
Look at all the illustrious people!
When:
Every Monday at 9:30 PM!

Where:
BIRDLAND
315 West 44th Street (between 8th & 9th), NYC
212.581.3080

"...an extreme open mic!" -- ABC-TV

"Jim Caruso is uber-talented!" -- Entertainment Weekly

"Pianist Billy Stritch is thrilling...guaranteed to send you into orbit."
-- Rex Reed, New York Observer

"A vital pulse point of the musical-theater bloodstream: Every week a star or standard might be born." -- Time Out New York

"Bassist Steve Doyle gives firm support and swings solidly." -- Jazz Times

BEST OF NEW YORK Issue -- New York Magazine

"Starrier than the Hayden Planetarium... a hotspot where Broadway and Hollywood tip, twirl and hit the mic. It's become the place to cruise, schmooze, sing and be seen." -- Playbill

"The Broadway at Birdland series is a talk of the town carnival of talent, and is like no other happening in Manhattan It's evolved into an integral part of New York nightlife." -- John Hoglund, TheaterScene.net
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