Count Down to : 4 Nights from Tonight! The 26th Annual Bistro Awards are honoring THE RESCIGNOS, JOHNNY RODGERS BAND, and SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED!

Sherry Eaker

PRESENTS

The 26th Annual Bistro Awards

At Gotham Comedy Club
Tuesday April 26, 2011 6:30pm

current tickets availability: Limited Go to www.BistroAwards.com to order tickets.* * * * * * * Bistro Awards Update * * * * * * *

Tommy Tune Just announced as celebrity Presenter
Free Supper Buffet after the Bistro included with
all tickets





Directed by EDIE COWAN
Hosted by JIM DAVID
Music Direction by LENNY BABBISH
As you know, this week I have been covering all of the recipients of this year's Bistro Awards. Today, I wrap it up with our final three recipients. Yesterday was about three dolls. Today is about three guys (with a few dolls thrown in for good measure). As those of you who know me know, I am always telling everyone to pay it forward. From time to time, however, someone will inevitably ask what that means. Yesterday, one of last year's Bistro recipients, Peter Napolitano (who also directed one of this year's Bistro recipients to her win...(Janice Hall...read one of this week's earliest blogs to get more info on her)...sent me a great "history of what it means. "Pay it forward is a reference to the title phrase of the book by Catherine Ryan Hyde. In the book the phrase is used as the opposite of payback: when someone does a good dead for you, instead of paying them back, pay it forward by doing a good deed for someone else, preferably a stranger. The pay it forward concept has a firm foundation in history. Ben Franklin described it in a letter he wrote to Benjamin Webb in 1784. In this letter, he wrote about his intention to help Mr. Webb by lending him some money. However, he did not want to be repaid directly. Instead, Ben Franklin hoped Mr. Webb would at some point meet an honest man in need of financial help and pass the money along to him." Thank you, Peter! And everyone do this! I Love it!!

Well, back to The Bistros: I hope you have your tickets. Over the past three days, I've written about Liz Larken Brown, Nate Buccieri, Carole J. Bufford, Carol Channing, Anthony Cochran, Tyne Daly, Kevin Dozier, Michael Feinstein,Janice Hall, Sean Harkness, Allan Harris, Hilary Kole, Faye Lane, Colleen McHugh, and Dionne Warwick...all recipients! Today, I'm going to focus on THE RESCIGNOS, JOHNNY RODGERS BAND, and SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED!
Before I get to the recipients, I would like to acknowledge one of the members of our Bistro Awards committee. Tomorrow, I will write about three other members...Ladies first: Elizabeth Ahlfors!Elizabeth Ahlfors was born, raised and educated in New York (NYU). Her first love was always music, cabaret, and theatre – in the audience, not performing. She writes for Cabaret Scenes, citycabaret.com, bBistroawards.com, totaltheater.com, and Curtain Up's "Cabaret Nights." She was previously Philadelphia correspondent for theatre.com and InTheatre Magazine and reviewed for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia City News, and Spotlight Magazine. She is a member of the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle.
Last year, it was thrilling to see Rex Reed present to Mitzi Gaynor.
Cannot wait for the excitement of this year! Here is Jackie Hoffman from the 2006 Bistro Awards:
THE RESCIGNOS will be receiving The Ira Eaker Special Achievement Award
The DuplexBorn in New York City, Paul and Robbie Rescigno grew up in southern Delaware, spending most of their childhood watching classic television on Nick at Nite. Both attended Syracuse University where they appeared together in productions of Twelfth Night, Kiss Me, Kate, and the premiere of their variety show. While in college, both studied for a semester at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. The two were featured in a nationwide Dell commercial and appeared in the feature film Tenure, starring Luke Wilson, Gretchen Mol and David Koechner. When they are not performing, their days are spent working in television. Robbie has worked at MSNBC’s Morning Joe as well as The Nate Berkus Show, while Paul currently works at The Late Show with David Letterman. In addition to seeing them live Tuesday night at The Bistro Awards, you can catch them on 5/13 - The Rescignos Variety Show: The 27th Anniversary Special at The Duplex
61 Christopher Street
New York, NY. Check their website, http://therescignos.com, for details.

Congratulations and I cannot wait to see you on Tuesday night!
JOHNNY RODGERS BAND is receiving for Musical Group
Johnny Rodgers, Brian Glassman, Danny Mallon, Joe Ravo
Birdland, Iridium, Oak Room at the Algonquin, Joe's Pub
Piano, vocals, guitar. Johnny Rodgers is a favorite in the New York and South Florida performance scene - and is creating fans around the world! Johnny’s original songs stimulate the sophisticated palate. He creates bubbly and romantic pop ballads, Taylor-laced melodies, and sultry jazz all stirred with piano driven rock. Johnny grew up in Miami Florida and now resides in New York City. In 2002, Rodgers marked his arrival to New York earning both a Back Stage Bistro Award for Outstanding New York Debut and a MAC Award for Best Male New York Debut. Johnny Rodgers pleases not only with his original songs but also his boy-next-door charm and creamy, dreamy crooner’s voice. Liza Minnelli discovered Rodgers and brought him on as her pianist and guest performer for her world tours, and he debuted on Broadway in the Tony Award winning Liza’s At The Palace. 15th Annual Billboard World Song Contest Winner Fresh and unique, the Johnny Rodgers Band is brilliant jumping from one style to another with the ease of an expert trapezist: pop, rock, jazz. Their music literally takes you on a guided tour of American pop exhibiting the driving energy of rock and roll, blended with jazz sophistication. The band's chemistry and Johnny's personable stage presen...ce completes the formula that creates the band's dynamic performances. Johnny Rodgers Band was formed in New York City in 2003, when award-winning singer-songwriter-pianist Johnny Rodgers created "The Band" he had always dreamed of to add musical depth to his road-tested original songs. Johnny pulled together accomplished musicians with vast experience who were familiar with performing in all styles from pop to jazz and classical. The music comes alive with Brian Glassman on bass, Danny Mallon on drums, Joe Ravo on guitar and Johnny on vocals at the piano or on guitar. Two years after the bands formation, the Johnny Rodgers Band's debut album, Box of Photographs was released featuring Johnny's original songs. His songs take you on side trips to places like upbeat New Orleans and Memphis soul. The album includes Grammy-winner Randy Brecker and his legendary sound on several jazz style cuts on the twelve-track album. Johnny Rodgers Band is always attracting new audiences at the many clubs, festivals, and private events where they perform across the country. They have performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Bottom Line, Birdland, The Metropolitian Room and The Jazz Standard in New York City, Ryles in Cambridge MA, Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club and Van Dykes on Miami Beach, as well at many festivals like Festival Miami at the University of Miami. JOHNNY RODGERS - piano, vocals, guitar Johnny Rodgers a Miami native who resides in New York City. In between concert tours, writing and recording sessions with the band, Johnny Rodgers tours the world with Liza Minnelli and her orchestra as featured guest artist. In addition to wowing the crowds at his own performances, he has shared the stage with such diverse luminaries as Paul McCartney, Michael Feinstein, Stephen Schwartz, Ann Hampton Callaway, Dave Koz, Joel Gray, Debbie Gravitte and Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders. WINNER - Bistro Award - Musical Group - New York Performances 2011 WINNER - Nightlife Award - Best Cabaret Vocalist 2010 Selected - Rhythm Road tour to Southeast Asia & the Pacific Islands 2010 Selected - Armed Forces Entertainment - what an honor to serve WINNER - 15th Annual Billboard World Song Contest - Americana/Folk category (Home to Mendocino) WINNER – Songwriter’s Hall of Fame – Abe Oldman Award 2002 (Is It The Way?) WINNER – BackStage Bistro Award – Outstanding New York Debut 2002 WINNER – Best One Man Show – Show Business Weekly WINNER – MAC Award – Best Male New York Debut 2002 WINNER – New York Sheet Music Society – Gerald Marks Award 2002 BRIAN GLASSMAN - Double Bass Listen for the deep, complex tones of Brian's 200 year old early American bass. His experience is vast and he is a chameleon of musical styles having played with Lionel Hampton, Paquito Di Rivera, John Pizzarelli, Margaret Whiting and Robert Goulet. DANNY MALLON - Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals Try playing the percussion frog along with Danny as he opens the song 'Mary Jean'. Danny has recorded and performed with artists in all styles such as Woody Mann, Liza Minnelli, Phobe Snow, Randy Brecker, Gene Bertoncini, Richard Barone and Tom Harrell. JOE RAVO - Nylon String Guitar Joe, a native New Yorker and multi-faceted guitarist has performed with Jazz greats Dave Brubeck, Stanley Turrentine and Gerry Mulligan. He studied with classical guitarist Alexander Bellow and Oscar Gighlia at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena Italy. Joe is known for his Brazilian finger stylings. Management: Amy Hafner A Breath of Fresh Air LLC 305.283.6274 amy@johnnyrodgers.com
And our final recipient today is SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED Cabaret Series
Written, directed, and hosted by Phil Geoffrey Bond
Laurie Beechman Theatre, Don't Tell Mama
It was with great pride that The Laurie Beechman Theatre announced their summer series, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, taking place at the midtown venue on Mondays in July - the 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th @ 7pm last year. Featuring an array of Broadway and Cabaret's most dynamic performers, Sondheim Unplugged celebrates the work of Broadway's most beloved and prolific composer, accompanied by piano only. And here they are accepting a Bistro Award on Tuesday night. Congratulations, Phil Bond and kudos to ALL involved! Following twelve sold out shows, The Laurie Beechman Theatre will continue their hit series, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, for a thirteenth installment, Monday, April 25 at 7pm. Included in the cast are an array of Broadway and cabaret alums, including Emily Bergl (television's Desperate Housewives), Jim Brochu (Drama Desk winner for Zero Hour), Eric Michael Gillett (Kiss Me, Kate, Sweet Smell of Success), Hunter Herdlicka (B'way revival of A Little Night Music), Leenya Rideout (B'way revival of Company), Lucia Spina (B'way's Legally Blonde, South Pacific) and Jessica Vosk (recent NY Philharmonic Company). We're also pleased to welcome back three very special guests, each of whom created roles in Sondheim musicals: Joy Franz (Into the Woods, Assassins), Sarah Rice (Sweeney Todd) and Melanie Vaughan (Sunday in the Park with George). Recently, Sondheim Unplugged received the 2011 Bistro Award for Outstanding Cabaret Series, and has been nominated for the 2011 MAC Award.

The Laurie Beechman Theatre is located within the West Bank Cafe at 407 West 42nd St., in the heart of New York's theatre district. There is a $20 cover charge, as well as a $15 food/beverage minimum (a full dinner menu is available). For reservations, which are necessary, please call 212 695 6909.

SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED features an array of Broadway and Cabaret's most dynamic performers, celebrating the work of Broadway's most beloved and prolific composer, accompanied by piano only. The series boasts an impressive, rotating cast of some of the Theatre World and cabaret's most impressive talents, all of whom will perform their favorite Sondheim tunes. Also included in the cast on April 25: David Brian Colbert, Hilary Kole, Gabriel Mudd, Jillian Severin and Trevor Southworth. Musical Direction is by Ray Fellman.

Past special guests have included Len Cariou (Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music), Danielle Ferland (Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George), Joy Franz (Into the Woods, Assassins), Annie Golden (Assassins), Steve Elmore (Company), Victoria Mallory (Follies, A Little Night Music), Donna McKechnie (Company), Pamela Myers (Company), Kurt Peterson (Follies), Teri Ralston (A Little Night Music), Sarah Rice (Sweeney Todd) and Pamela Winslow Kashani (Into the Woods). Each evening is hosted by Director/Producer Phil Geoffrey Bond (MAC/Bistro/Nightlife Award Winner).

Included in the rotating company: Carey Anderson (Avenue Q, Mamma Mia), Lisa Asher (MAC & Nightlife Award Winner), Raissa Katona Bennett (Phantom of the Opera), Christina Bianco (Drama Desk Nominee, Forbidden Broadway), David Brian Colbert (MAC Award Winner), Harris Doran (It Must Be Him), Natalie Douglas (MAC Award Winner), Michelle Dowdy (Hairspray), Kevin Dozier, Barbara Fasano (MAC /Bistro/Nightlife Award Winner), Terese Genecco (MAC & Bistro Award Winner), Eric Michael Gillett (Sweet Smell of Success, Kiss Me, Kate, MAC Award Winner), Larry Hamilton, Joe Iconis (Drama Desk Nominee), Hunter Ryan Herdlicka (A Little Night Music), Becca Southworth Johnson (The After Party), Trent Armand Kendall (Into the Woods), Audrey Lavine (Rags, Carrie), Lorinda Lisitza (Nightlife Award Winner), Karen Mack (MAC Award Winner), Rob Maitner (Bistro Award Winner), Cindy Marchionda (Jeff Award Winner), Liz McCartney (South Pacific, Taboo), Susie Mosher (Hairspray), Julia Murney (Wicked), Mark Nadler (MAC Award Winner), Karen Oberlin (MAC & Bistro Award Winner), Phyllis Pastore (MAC Award winner), Miles Phillips (MAC Award Winner), Marybeth Purdy, Shaynee Rainbolt (MAC Award Winner), Julie Reyburn (MAC/Bistro/Nightlife Award winner), Leenya Rideout (Company), Jana Robbins (Tale of the Allergist's Wife, Gypsy), Anne Runolfsson (Phantom of the Opera, Victor/Victoria), Nikki Scalera (Hairspray), Elizabeth Stanley (Company, Cry Baby, Million Dollar Quartet), Katie Thompson (Giant), Will Trice (MAC Award Winner), Jonathan Whitton (MAC Award Winner), Stephen Wallem (Nurse Jackie), Lennie Watts (MAC Award Winner) & Joann Yeoman. (Source: Broadwayworld.com)
Wow! What a great night Tuesday night will be!

Please click on the banner ads on our Bistro Award site and support our advertisers.

Tomorrow's blog will feature a review of Leslie Orofino's show which I am seeing today (hope you'll join me!), CAROL CHANNING: LARGER THAN LIFE premiering tomorrow at The Tribeca Film Festival, and 1976's THE BLUE BIRD premiering on The Fox Movie Channel Monday night!

Please contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS: http://www.carolchanning.org/foundation.htm

TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED WEEK!


Richard Skipper, Associate producer of the 26th annual Bistro Awards , Richard@RichardSkipper.com

Count Down to : 5 Nights from Tonight! The 26th Annual Bistro Awards are honoring HILARY KOLE, FAYE LANE, and COLLEEN McHUGH!

As those of you who follow my blogs know, this week I'm focusing on the recipients of the 26th annual Bistro Awards taking place Tuesday night at The Gotham Comedy Club. I hope you have your tickets. Over the past three days, I've written about Liz Larken Brown, Nate Buccieri, Carole J. Bufford, Carol Channing, Anthony Cochran, Tyne Daly, Kevin Doxier, Michael Feinstein,Janice Hall, Sean Harkness, Allan Harris, and Dionne Warwick...all recipients! Today, I'm going to focus on Hilary Kole, Faye Lane, and Colleen McHugh.
Some of the Bistro’s special honorees have included Mitzi Gaynor and Elaine Stritch (2010), Charles Aznavour and Liza Minnelli (2009), Marilyn Maye (2008), Betty Buckley (2007), Steve Ross (2006), as well as Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth, Bobby Short, Eartha Kitt, Barbara Cook, and many others.
Take a look at some of the recipients from 2009:
I first heard Hilary Kole sing when we did a memorial together a few years ago and I was instantly smitten. Hilary is receiving her Bistro for her Recording
"You Are There". Vocalist Hilary Kole's current release "You Are There," (Justin Time/JVC Japan) is a compilation of piano and vocal duets with some of the greatest artists in the history of jazz piano including Dave Brubeck, the late Hank Jones and many more. It is a follow-up to her debut recording produced by John Pizzarelli, "Haunted Heart" (Justin Time) which was released to critical acclaim in April of 2009, winning the Gold Disc Award in Japan, and receiving 4 stars in Downbeat Magazine. Both recordings are testaments to Hilary's musicianship and versatility as an artist in a career that started in a slightly different vein:

After studying composition at Manhattan School of Music, Hilary began performing as a vocalist at the legendary Rainbow Room as the youngest singer ever to grace the stage. From there, she debuted at the Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel as the co-writer and star of the critically acclaimed, Off-Broadway reviews, "Our Sinatra," and "Singing Astaire." She made her concert hall debut at Lincoln Center as part of the "American Songbook Series" with Jonathan Schwartz. In June 2007, she appeared at Carnegie Hall in a Tribute to Oscar Peterson, a performance reprised in January 2008 at the Canadian Memorial to Dr. Peterson at Roy Thompson Hall alongside Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock and Nancy Wilson.
Here are some upcoming appearances after Tuesday night's Bistro Awards
Spring Japan Tour Celebrating the release of Hilary's newest CD- TBA

EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT IN MAY- Hilary will be performing at the Bemelman's Bar, Hotel Carlyle, NYC. 8:30-11:30. www.thecarlyle.com

May 6th- private event

May 7th- Pt. Washington, NY "A Tribute to Mel Torme" with Billy Stritch, Hilary Kole and Friends. www.landmarkonmainstreet.org

June 25th- Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Jazz Festival. www.jazzfest.louthompson.com
"You Are There marks the second album on Justin Time for Hilary Kole, the New York based jazz singer (and pianist, arranger, and composer). Even though hundreds of singers are releasing what seems like hundreds of CDs these days, it's fair to say that no vocalist - in either the classic or the contemporary era - has done an album like You
Are There. This is a set of voice-and-piano duets, and though that fact by itself may call to mind Ella Fitzgerald's famous meetings with Ellis Larkins and the iconic Tony Bennett-Bill Evans collaborations, no one has done what Hilary does here: she has
teamed up with eleven different great pianists - each of them true legends of the keyboard - and recorded thirteen spontaneous piano-vocal duo tracks with these amazing musicians.
The project got underway when Hilary met the late keyboard colossus Oscar Peterson in 2005. She was, then as now, singing frequently at Birdland (then as always, "the Jazz Corner of the World," and her New York base of operations) . The
two became friends, and on one set, to her astonishment, Peterson invited her to sing
with his quartet . . ."Ms. Kole's poised, sultry ballad-singing has always been easy on the ears. But her smooth melodic lines have never been so consistently infused with literary subtext, which spells the difference between sounded pretty, and having something to say." --Stephen Holden New York Times
Contact Information for Hilary Kole

Birdland Worldwide Management
(212) 581-3080
gv@birdlandjazz.com
ll@birdlandjazz.com
315 W. 44th Street
New York, N.Y. 10036

North American Orchestra Bookings:
Eric Hansen
Tree Lawn Artists
PH: 215-248-LAWN (5296)
Email: Contact Tree Lawn Artists
(Content from http://www.hilarykole.com) Please visit Hilary's website and congratulations Hilary!
A little over a year ago, Faye Lane and I had breakfast and she was telling me about a concept she had for a new show. Well, folks, she followed through! She has had a very successful run at The Soho Playhouse and on Tuesday night, she will be going home for a well deserved Bistro Award and possibly a MAC Award next month for Musical Comedy
"Faye Lane's Beauty Shop Stories"
Soho Playhouse!We may know her as Faye Lane; she is a writer and performer living in New York City. But on the inside she's still Rhonda Faye Gunnels, who grew up in her mama's beauty shop in Texas. Casa Vale Beauty Salon was an old A-Frame house that was converted into a salon, with big mirrors and swivel chairs in the front room and shampoo bowls in the old back bedroom. And on the front porch? A fat little girl in a glittered-up Burger King crown, practicing her beauty queen acceptance speech and dreaming of being a star of the stage!
Praise for Faye Lane
and Beauty Shop Stories

She had them gobbling from the palm of her hand… they were howling, crying, falling in love with her.
– New York Magazine

I would go see it, by all means. It's a great show!
– Time Out New York

Endearing and soaring voiced – a real standout
– Backstage

A glorious evening of one-woman theatre that blazes it's way across the cultural highway.
– NightlifeExchange.com

Lane relates her journey with extraordinary wit, charm, and subtle power, resulting in a performance that's unforgettable.
– Hy Reviews
Faye Lane is a writer and performer who lives in the Chelsea Hotel in New York City. Her unique blending of story and song moved New York Magazine to gush, “She had them gobbling from the palm of her hand. They were howling, crying, falling in love with her."
Congratulations, Faye! I'm so proud of you! To find out more about Faye, please visit http://www.beautyshopstories.com

COLLEEN McHUGH is receiving her Bistro Award for Entertainer
The Duplex
This is Colleen's year!
2011 Nightlife Award Finalist

2011 Bistro Award Winner

2011 MAC Award Nominee
In 2008, Colleen McHugh set off on a daunting project: to present a completely different cabaret show each month, for one night only, without losing her mind in the process. More than three years later, she's not only sustained the effort, she's received rave reviews along the way. The Calendar Girl Project has featured shows ranging from a musical tribute to the subtext of the color green, to an exploration of Karen and Richard Carpenter's songbook. Along the way, she's explored 'Tales of Revenge and Regret' and 'Songs of Self-Delusion.' She's tackled (not literally, mind you) Cole Porter's French connections and feted Judy Garland in honor of the anniversary of Stonewall.
You can take Colleen home with you! COLLEEN MCHUGH

SONGS OF SELF-DELUSION

All of your friends think that you've lost your mind--except for the imaginary ones. Thank goodness you have Colleen McHugh to help you. Colleen McHugh's debut album songs of self delusion is wonderfully entertaining, as well as being highly theraputic. Oh, did we mention that it was selected as an' iTunes Essential?'"Arts & Entertainment" April 12, 2002
CABARET REVIEW: 'Songs' takes you high, low in one-woman show
by Howard Reich, Tribune Arts Critic

"Delusion is a great survival technique," Chicago cabaret singer Colleen McHugh cheerfully tells her audience at the outset of her intriguing new show at Davenport's.

She then sets about proving the point, launching into an evening's worth of songs about troubled souls who revel in their self-deceptions.

By turns emotionally stark and wickedly satirical, McHugh's "Songs of Self-Delusion" proves that a night at the cabaret need not be an entirely light-hearted affair. For though McHugh shrewdly punctuates the proceedings with comic songs and casual patter, she also probes into the darker sides of the psyche.

Better yet, she does so by drawing upon a remarkably far-flung songbook, which spans material by everyone from Broadway veteran Jerry Herman to modern-day Chicago troubadour Robbie Fulks. The ingenuity with which McHugh interweaves these vignettes helps give this show its dramatic heft.

McHugh opens her homage to self-delusion, for instance, with not one song but two, merging sections of Herman's "I Don't Want to Know" with Amanda McBroom's "Dreaming." In this haunting introduction, McHugh hints at both the comic and tragic sides of the set pieces yet to come.

Somehow, she switches easily from the absurd, black humor of Jill Sobule's "Mexican Wrestler" to the dripping irony of Jim De Wan's "You Wouldn't Do That to Me," from the clever wordplay of Phillip Namanworth's "Avoid" to the self-loathing laments of Francesca Blumenthal's "The Lies of Handsome Men."

Every song makes a point, though few more searingly than Fulks' "I've Got to Tell Myself the Truth," which McHugh sings to the accompaniment of a lone guitar.

To her credit, McHugh also brings some beguiling bits of stage business to the proceedings, particularly in Herman's "A Little More Mascara" (from "La Cage Aux Folles"). As the protagonist sings the glories of heavy makeup, two attendants hand her a tiara, white gloves and other ornaments with which to mask her insecurities.

With evocative musical direction from pianist Andrew Blendermann and expert backup vocals from Allison Bazarko and [Anne Smith], McHugh has conceived a bittersweet cabaret show as original as it is meaningful.

And that doesn't happen very often.

(c) 2002 Chicago Tribune. All Rights Reserved.Go here to buy tickets: http://www.bistroawards.com/buy-tickets/ticket-information.html

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Tomorrow's blog will feature THE RESCIGNOS, JOHNNY RODGERS BAND, and SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED!

Please contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS: http://www.carolchanning.org/foundation.htm

TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED WEEK!


Richard Skipper, Associate producer of the 26th annual Bistro Awards , Richard@RichardSkipper.com

Count Down to : 6 Nights from Tonight! The 26th Annual Bistro Awards are honoring JANICE HALL, SEAN HARKNESS, and ALLAN HARRIS!

If the game is designed for you to lose, don't play that game. Play a different one. -- Seth Godin

As those of you who follow my blogs know, this week I'm focusing on the recipients of the 26th annual Bistro Awards taking place next Tuesday night at The Gotham Comedy Club. I hope you have your tickets. Over the past two days, I've written about Liz Larken Brown, Nate Buccieri, Carole J. Bufford, Carol Channing, Anthony Cochran, Tyne Daly, Kevin DoxierMichael Feinstein,and Dionne Warwick...all recipients! Today, I'm going to focus on Janice Hall, Sean Harkness, and Allan Harris.
The guidelines that Bob Harrington originally set up for himself to determine the first winners have become the basic philosophy behind the Bistro Awards, which recognize achievement in a wide variety of categories — from outstanding performances to outstanding contributions by members of the cabaret community. The object is not to choose the “best” of anything of the year, but to recognize and congratulate the accomplishments of those who have done something special. Accordingly, categories can easily be created from year to year as they best fit the year’s distinguished work. Loli Marquez-Sterling performs "Rie Llora" and receive her Bistro Award in "The Gotham Comedy Club". New York City. April - 2010

JANICE HALL will be receiving her award for her Tribute Show
"Grand Illusions: The Music of Marlene Dietrich"
Metropolitan Room, Urban Stages. I have been a fan of Janice for some time. She was/is a regular at Wednesday Night at The Iguana and ALWAYS delivers!
Janice Hall's international opera career has taken her to the Vienna State Opera; the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; the Salzburg Festival; the Komische Oper Berlin; the Lyric Opera of Chicago; and the Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center, to name a few. Her roles have ranged from the Verdi heroine Violetta in the New York City Opera’s Emmy-winning telecast of La Traviata, in the "Live from Lincoln Center" series on PBS, to multiple roles in the operatic version of Tony Kushner’s play Angels in America, with the BBC Symphony in London.
After living in Europe for many years, Janice returned to the U.S. three years ago, and has since divided her time and attention between opera, theater, and cabaret. She was one of five finalists in 2010’s Metrostar Talent Challenge at the Metropolitan Room; writing about that contest, Beatrice Williams-Rude of Broadway After Dark remarked, "[A]ll the performers are sterling, some glitteringly; but one is pure, unalloyed gold: Janice Hall. She's sleek, chic and elegant in appearance as well as in the presentation of her songs."

In November, 2010, Janice unveiled her first New York solo cabaret show, Grand Illusions:The Music of Marlene Dietrich, at the Metropolitan Room. Peter Haas of Cabaret Scenes magazine wrote: “Many performers have “done” Marlene Dietrich, but none has offered her songs more richly, more movingly and with lovelier singing than a newcomer to cabaret, petite and elegant Janice Hall.”
Roy Sander wrote: "...a glorious hour...Some of her interpretations achieve a status beyond merely wonderful; they are memorable, unique, standards against which other renditions should be compared...When the show was over...I realized that I was responding to three forces, all working together: the enduring power of Dietrich, the strength of Hall's performance, and the brilliance of this show and all of its elements."
Grand Illusions was chosen as one of four shows to be presented at Urban Stages Theater in Feb-Mar 2011, as part of their “Musical Legends” series
In May, Janice travels to Salt Lake City to perform a one-woman show about Hollywood, at the Pygmalion Theatre Company.
Video by Corrine Cohen

Congratulations, Janice!
And a great big congratulations to SEAN HARKNESS as well! I'm also a huge fan of Sean's! Sean is receiving his award as an outstanding instrumentalist.At home in New York City, guitarist Sean Harkness recently garnered in addition to the Outstanding Instrumentalist of 2011 Backstage Bistro Award, two nominations for MAC Awards; one for his New York Debut solo shows, and another for Musical Director.

In addition to featuring Sean on the cover of their 2011 product catalog, Walden Guitars is releasing a Sean Harkness Signature 12-string guitar in Europe, Asia, and North America.

Along with numerous compilations, TV, and film soundtracks, Mr. Harkness now has five commercial releases as an artist:

* Aloft [Windham Hill] -1999
* Trio Of One [independent release] -2001
* Urakaji solo guitar [Rinken Records, Japan, USA] -2004
* Harkness Knight w/saxman Eric Knight and great drummers -2009
* and brand new: H2 Flights: Volume One w/fab Canadian trumpeter Mike Herriott on Canadian Brass‘ label ODEG -2011

Each year Sean performs in concert halls around the country with other Windham Hill artists such as Liz Story, Will Ackerman, Barbara Higbie, Jim Brickman, Tuck & Patti, David Arkenstone, and Samite.

Mr. Harkness is a first-call guitarist who compliments an exhaustive client list of artists, instrumentalists, Broadway productions, and corporations nationally and internationally. He is the go-to guitarist for duets and ensemble work with singers from Broadway and television such as Alison Fraser, Susan Egan and Carole Demas.

Sean has appeared as an artist and sideman extensively in New York’s finest jazz venues including the Blue Note, Smoke, Small’s, the Jazz Standard, Birdland, Iridium, Feinstein’s, Edison Ballroom, Mile’s Café, the Metropolitan Room, St. Nick’s, and Top Of The Rock at Rockefeller Center.

Mr. Harkness also appears regularly in any of New York’s folk and rock singer/songwriter clubs such as the Bitter End, Mercury Lounge, Rockwood Music Hall, the Living Room, Bowery Poetry Club, P&G, and Shrine.

Sean was the guitarist in Contemporary Jewish icon Debbie Friedman’s band until her untimely passing in 2011. He continues to perform regularly with Craig Taubman and Josh Nelson in major congregations nationally.

Mr. Harkness also provides a House Concert SeriesThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for personalized, private, in-home, concert-like performances. The up-close intimacy brings a unique impact to each event.

* * *

Sean Harkness’ first guitar arrived on his eleventh birthday. Within six months, he had a weekly theater engagement in Bridgeport, CT. High School bands, studies with Stan Kenton Band’s guitarist Sal Salvador, Berklee College of Music, ‘busking’ in Europe, Vermont’s Green Mountains, 5 years assisting master guitar builder Chip Wilson, extensive world travel, and NYC’s vast music scene have all contributed to forming the seasoned professional Sean is today.
Congratulations, Sean! Well deserved!!
And my final honoree for today is ALLAN HARRIS for Ongoing Achievement in Jazz. I'm thrilled to be discovering Allan for the first time. Allan Harris sings it's only a Paper Moon at the WLRN Radio Studio, Miami, Florida Januray 5, 2007 (Video by Dave Hogerty www.myspace.com/davehogerty)Allan Harris is a world-class singer, guitarist and songwriter. Perhaps best known for his interpretations of jazz standards, Allan’s smooth vocals and guitar-styling easily crosses genres, from jazz to rock to blues.


Three-time winner of the New York Nightlife Award for "Outstanding Jazz Vocalist”, Tony Bennett calls Mr. Harris "my favorite singer" and The New York Times' Stephen Holden raves about "the protean talent that is Allan Harris." Allan has cultivated a global following, playing for packed audiences and received outstanding reviews throughout the United States, Europe, Russia and the Far East. He is regularly featured at the world’s great music festivals, e.g. Jazz Aspen, Wien Jazz Festival in Austria and the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy.


Allan’s Harris’s artistry transcends his diverse vocal performances. Harris has composed “Cross That River”, a full-scale musical celebrating the Old West as told through the words and music of a black cowboy, and has received a prestigious Chamber Music America Grant for that work. The theatrical production of “Cross That River” played to rave reviews during the 2009 New York Musical Theater Festival and is currently in pre-production for a long-term run in early 2011. Several original songs from “Cross That River” are also frequently featured in The Allan Harris Band’s concert performances.


In addition to music, Allan is passionate about giving back. He is a long-time supporter of the Children’s Miracle Network (helping to raise funds for children’s hospitals), and has performed many times alongside Vince Gill and Amy Grant at the Challenge Aspen Gala, an annual charity concert/golf tournament to benefit military service people who have sustained disabilities.


As a Gibson Guitar featured artist, Allan and Ruby (his constant 4 lb. canine companion and the first dog music critic) can frequently be found rehearsing at the Gibson Hit Factory, and along with The Allan Harris Band, enjoy playing the top music clubs in his hometown of New York City.
See how exciting these ENTERTAINERS ARE!?!?! Hope to see you Tuesday night as we celebrate ALL of our recipients!
Go here to buy tickets: http://www.bistroawards.com/buy-tickets/ticket-information.html

Please click on the banner ads on our Bistro Award site and support our advertiser.

Tomorrow's blog will feature HILARY KOLE, FAYE LANE, and COLLEEN McHUGH!

Please contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS: http://www.carolchanning.org/foundation.htm

TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED WEEK!


Richard Skipper, Associate producer of the 26th annual Bistro Awards , Richard@RichardSkipper.com

Count Down to : 1 week from Tonight! The 26th Annual Bistro Awards are honoring CAROLE J. BUFFORD, ANTHONY COCHRAN, and KEVIN DOZIER!

Success comes to those who dare to get it! As those of you who follow my blogs know, this week I'm focusing on the recipients of the 26th annual Bistro Awards taking place next Tuesday night at The Gotham Comedy Club. I hope you have your tickets. Over the past two days, I've written about Liz Larken Brown, Nate Buccieri, Carol Channing, Tyne Daly, Michael Feinstein,and Dionne Warwick...all recipients! Today, I'm going to focus on Carole J. Bufford, Anthony Cochran, and Kevin Dozier.The BISTRO AWARD was established by Bob Harrington in 1985 in his “Bistro Bits” column in the trade weekly Back Stage, then under the editorship of Sherry Eaker. For the first few years, the awards were merely listed in Harrington’s column as notable performances he had seen during the calendar year.
The first formal presentation of the awards was held in 1990 at Eighty Eight’s, a popular cabaret venue in the West Village. From there, the show moved on to The Ballroom in Chelsea, and then relocated to the Supper Club in the Broadway District, where it remained for many years. This year marks the fourth year at Gotham Comedy Club. Here is the post card design for this year's Bistro Award:The guidelines that Harrington set up for himself to determine the first winners have become the basic philosophy behind the Bistro Awards, which recognize achievement in a wide variety of categories — from outstanding performances to outstanding contributions by members of the cabaret community. The object is not to choose the “best” of anything of the year, but to recognize and congratulate the accomplishments of those who have done something special. Accordingly, categories can easily be created from year to year as they best fit the year’s distinguished work.Here are is a video montage thanks to Russ Weatherford from the 2009 Bistro Awards
The first recipient that I am writing about today is Carole J. Bufford. I'm excited as I get to know Carole. I really wasn't very familiar with Carole's work before her Bistro win. She is receiving this award as a vocalist for her shows in the past year at DON'T TELL MAMA and THE METROPOLITAN ROOM. What's Next?
11 O'Clock Numbers at 11 O'Clock
Appearing weekly at Feinstein's
Next Show- 4/21 at 11:00PM
Carole J. Bufford made her entrance on the New York cabaret stage in the Metropolitan Room’s MetroStar Talent Challenge. Immediately following, she was asked to perform at the 2009 Cabaret Convention presented by the Mabel Mercer Foundation where she received specific praise by Stephen Holden in The New York Times. In addition, Carole was featured in Broadway By The Year, Musicals of 1927 and Musicals of 1966 at Town Hall where she was singled out for praise in numerous reviews.Carole recently debuted her cabaret Carole J. Bufford sings Randy Newman at Don’t Tell Mama which received rave reviews. She also enjoyed a run of her cabaret intro at the Metropolitan Room. Roy Sander of Bistro Awards said, “The small "i" in the title of her show, "intro," is the only thing lower-case about Carole J. Bufford. She can deliver a song with more force and drive than a speeding locomotive…Combine that with a voice that is both powerful and attractive and you get a performance that can thrill an audience.”

Regarding her appearance in Broadway by the Year, Musicals of 1966, Carole received the following review:

“A last-minute addition to the show was the young cabaret singer Carole J. Bufford, making her second Broadway By The Year appearance to sing "What Makes It Happen?" While still at an early stage of her career, Bufford is a captivating song interpreter whose confident vocals are matched with strong story-telling skills and interesting lyrical shadings.”
–Michael Dale, Broadway World.com

To get on Carole's mailing list, go here: http://www.carolejbufford.com/mailinglist.htm

For all performance inquiries:

ARTHUR SHAFMAN AAAArtists International
163 Amsterdam Ave #121
New York, NY 10023-5001
212-799-4814 - ASHAFMAN@AOL.COM
WWW.ARTHURSHAFMAN.COM

Again, Carole, congratulations on your Bistro Award!
I first became familiar with Anthony Cochran when Daryl Glenn brought him to The Iguana to sing in WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE IGUANA. I promptly became a fan! Anthony Cochran is probably one of the unlikeliest looking guys to be singing a mix of gospel, country/western, blues and Dolly Parton that you are ever to come across. Slightly bearded, black shirt sleeves rolled up and wearing a vest he comes across as that real nice guy next door. He has a pleasantness and calmness about him that is contagious. A confiding, soft spoken husky voice that transforms a lyric into a thing of beauty as his voice strengthens and then lifts into a clear and easy falsetto. I guess you could say I was impressed.

Anthony is receiving his Bistro Award for Theme Show/"Elvis Lives"
Metropolitan Room
Earlier this past year, I went to see Kevin Dozier at Feinstein's with Alex Rybeck. I predicted a MAC Award and a Bistro Award for that show. He is receiving The Bistro Award for his shows at Laurie Beechman Theatre, Feinstein's at Loews Regency, Don't Tell Mama. I also predict a MAC Award! 2011 Bistro Award winner for Outstanding Vocalist and 2011 MAC Award Nominee for Male Vocalist, Kevin Dozier, had a wonderful 2010 year, as he made his critically acclaimed Feinstein's debut, and had sold-out runs at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, and Don't Tell Mama's under the musical direction of Alex Rybeck with direction by Lennie Watts. 2010 also brought his second feature appearance at The Mabel Mercer Foundation's Annual Cabaret Convention at Rose Hall in Lincoln Center and he was featured in 2 editions of the Bistro Award winning, Phil Bond production of "Sondheim Unplugged". In addition he was chosen as a contestant for the 1st Annual Cabaret Competition held by The Noel Coward Society and was honored to be a featured performer with Steve Ross at The Noel Coward Society Annual Luncheon.Kevin Dozier's "Love-Wise" is a lovely, lovely, love-filled listen. Projecting a gentle soul, even a butterfly-fragile one, and with a rhapsodically romantic spirit, his voice is an exceptionally pretty one, and very musical...Kevin projects thoughtful intelligence as he and Marlowe set and sustain a mood, knowing the value of a pause. This album is worth the pause in any day to relish the honeyed and wise Love-Wise." ~ Rob Lester, Talkin' Broadway

You truly are Wonderful, Wonderful Kevin and I am looking forward to seeing you perform at The Bistro Awards NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT!

Go here to buy tickets: http://www.bistroawards.com/buy-tickets/ticket-information.html

Please click on the banner ads on our Bistro Award site and support our advertiser.

Tomorrow's blog will feature JANICE HALL, SEAN HARKNESS, and ALLAN HARRIS!

Please contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS: http://www.carolchanning.org/foundation.htm

TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED WEEK!


Richard Skipper, Associate producer of the 26th annual Bistro Awards , Richard@RichardSkipper.com