Brian Gari

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present vocalist and pianist Steve Ross – widely heralded as “The Crown Prince of New York Cabaret” – in a special show celebrating spring on Monday, April 18 at 7:00 PM.

What do you get when you combine the pianistic finesse of Michael Feinstein, the smooth phrasing of Tony Bennett, and the bawdy wit of Bette Midler? You get Michael McAssey, who for 40 years has reigned as the clown prince of New York cabaret, and has enchanted as one of its most talented troubadours. He calls what he does 'schtick.' But that's undervaluing his unique blend of beautiful ballad singing and standup, or rather 'sit down' comedy.

Michael Lavine (Broadway vocal coach, performer music director, and sheet music guru) is presenting a special Webinar Zoominar benefit series: MOMENT MATINEE PRESENTS SONGS OF THE DECADE. The first of the three decades THE ROARING TWENTIES will be on Thursday, July 16th at 3:30 pm ET  with live performances from Broadway and Cabaret acclaimed artists as well as some Premiere recordings.

Singer-songwriters doing their own material cuts out the usual intermediary interpreter so we get the intentions and first take from the horses' mouth, so to speak. Recent examples; Susan Werner and Brian Gari.

Tuesday, November 21st, will be 'Eddie Cantor Day' at the historic 13th Street Repertory Theater (50 W. 13th St., NYC), where Chip Deffaa's show 'Irving Berlin: In Person' is now playing. For 50 years, entertainer Eddie Cantor and songwriter Irving Berlin were friends. Berlin provided Cantor with some of his biggest hits, from 'Mandy' to 'You'd Be Surprised.' Cantor was singing Berlin songs (such as 'Araby') in vaudeville even before he rose to stardom in the Ziegfeld Follies (for which Berlin was a major songwriter). And Cantor continued to sing Berlin songs in films, on radio, and on TV. In 'Irving Berlin: In Person,' Jon Peterson (portraying Berlin) speaks of Berlin and sings/dances 'Mandy.'

How many of these great songs do you know from underappreciated musicals?

When Al Jolson died in October 1950 at the age of 64, the world lost the man who was arguably the first pop superstar of the 20th century and the Broadway musical theater actor and singing sensation who had been acknowledged as 'The World's Greatest Entertainer.' A few months before Jolson died, a passionate Jolson fan named Dolores Kontowicz from Wisconsin founded the 'Al Jolson Society.' Sixty-five years later, the 1,000-plus member 'International Al Jolson Society' is not only still going strong, the organization holds an annual May 'Festival' at various venues around America and the world. In addition, the Society's current President Jan Hernstat has for the past 18 years produced a 'Mini' Jolson Festival in Long Island, which attracts Society members and local residents who want to revel in the memory of The Great Jolson. This year's 19th Annual event will be held on August 15, 9:30-4:00 pm, in Oceanside, New York (see complete info at end of this story). 

When Al Jolson died in October 1950 at the age of 64, the world lost the man who was arguably the first pop superstar of the 20th century and the Broadway musical theater actor and singing sensation who had been acknowledged as "The World's Greatest Entertainer." A few months before Jolson died, a passionate Jolson fan named Dolores Kontowicz from Wisconsin founded the "Al Jolson Society." Sixty-five years later, the 1,000-plus member "International Al Jolson Society" is not only still going strong, the organization holds an annual May "Festival" at various venues around America and the world. In addition, the Society's current President Jan Hernstat has for the past 18 years produced a "Mini" Jolson Festival in Long Island, which attracts Society members and local residents who want to revel in the memory of The Great Jolson. This year's 19th Annual event will be held on August 15, 9:30-4:00 pm, in Oceanside, New York (see complete info at end of this story). 

The Friars is a magical place to spend an evening (or day) but there was some extra special magic in the club last night.  Magician Elliot Smith skillfully kept the Friars tricked  after dinner, and comedians Stone and Stone kept them laughing.  Friar Dave Konig was the MC, and his special trick is always setting the stage for these fun events at the club. 

Monday, November 24th will be "Eddie Cantor Day" at "One Night with Fanny Brice," the long-running musical play at the 13th Street Repertory Theater (50 W. 13th Street, NYC).

ASCAP Award-winning writer/director Chip Deffaa's 'The Irving Berlin Ragtime Revue'-currently playing at the 13th Street Theater in repertory with Deffaa's long-running 'One Night with Fanny Brice'--is to receive a cast recording. The cast album will feature all of the singing actors currently appearing in the show: Rayna Hirt, Ken Adams, Michael Cyzz, Maite Uzal, Michael Kasper, Jonah Barricklo, Emily Bordonaro, Missy Dreier, K.W. Andersson; Andrew Lanctot, Ann Marie Calabro, Brandon Pollinger, and Timmy Thompson, with musical direction by Richard Danley. Deffaa will produce the album; Slau Halatyn will be the recording engineer; with production to begin later this month at Be-Sharp Studios in Astoria. The album will be released in the United States on the Original Cast Records label. It will be the sixth show of Deffaa's to get a cast album.

ASCAP Award-winning writer/director Chip Deffaa will be joined by special guests, including noted showbiz biographer Herb Goldman, writer/entertainer Brian Gari, and actor Michael Townsend Wright, for special audience 'talkback' sessions, following select performances of Deffaa's shows 'One Night with Fanny Brice' and 'The Irving Berlin Ragtime Revue,' which are playing in repertory this fall at the 13th Street Theater (50 W. 13th Street, NYC).

Audiences attending the musical comedy 'Theater Boys' at the 13th Street Repertory Theater might notice a camera or two--or three!--filming this week. Brian Gari is shooting an archival video of the entire two-hour show; Sam Donnenberg continues on-location shooting for his documentary about the making of the show, 'For the Theater'; and award-winning independent filmmaker Max Galassi, from Newtown, Connecticut, will be shooting a short film in connection with the show.

The 18th Long Island Al Jolson Festival coming up on August 16 is a whole-day affair featuring film presentations, lectures, memorabilia displays and sales, and a performance--'The Heart of Al Jolson'--by singer and Staten Island native Tony Babino (photo below), who can sing Jolson songs like, well, you ain't heard nothin' yet. The other day, like clockwork, I received my yearly invitation to attend from Oceanside, LI resident Jan Hernstat, who for the past 10 years has been the President of the 62-year-old International Al Jolson Society (which was formed in early 1950, a few months before Jolson died), an organization with a worldwide membership hovering around 1,000. I am proud to say that for 30 years, I've been one of them. I'm even prouder to say that I've been an Al Jolson fanatic for much longer. Here's my story about how it happened.

On August 17, led by current Society President Jan Hernstat of Long Island, New York, the IAJS will hold its 17th annual Long Island Al Jolson Festival, from 9am to 4:30 pm, at Oceanside Knights of Columbus, 2985 Kenneth Place, Oceanside, NY 11572. Starring at this year's event will be Staten Island-based singer Tony Babino (known as "The Heart of Al Jolson) with Dave Gross at the Piano. Babino will be performing from 2:30-3:30. Also appearing will be Los Angeles-based entertainer Richard Halpern (called "Mr. Tin Pan Alley"), singer/songwriter Brian Gari, who is the grandson of the legendary Broadway star Eddie Cantor. This year's special guest will be the famed TV and radio talk show host Joe Franklin. There will also be a special Jolson DVD Presentation and a Society Auction consisting of donated memorabilia.

On August 17, led by current Society President Jan Hernstat of Long Island, New York, the IAJS will hold its 17th annual Long Island Al Jolson Festival, from 9am to 4:30 pm, at Oceanside Knights of Columbus, 2985 Kenneth Place, Oceanside, NY 11572. Starring at this year's event will be Staten Island-based singer Tony Babino (known as “The Heart of Al Jolson) with Dave Gross at the Piano. Babino will be performing from 2:30-3:30. Also appearing will be Los Angeles-based entertainer Richard Halpern (called “Mr. Tin Pan Alley”), singer/songwriter Brian Gari, who is the grandson of the legendary Broadway star Eddie Cantor. This year's special guest will be the famed TV and radio talk show host Joe Franklin. There will also be a special Jolson DVD Presentation and a Society Auction consisting of donated memorabilia.

The Tri-State area is full of such amazing talent and Nicori Studios and Productions based in Bloomfield, NJ brings that talent to their area. Married couple Nicholas Adler and Corinna Sowers-Adler runs the company and Broadway World talked to Corinna about the company a week before the New York City MAC Awards for which they are nominated.

NiCori Studios and Productions in association with Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center announces a new installment of the monthly concert series, 'Music at the Mansion', on Sunday, March 24, at 3pm. Performers include Brian Gari, Bill Zeffiro and Shana Farr. The featured performer in the 'Young Musician Moment' will be a student from Jazz House Kids.

There aren't many concerts around where you can hear a full house go berserk at the promise of hearing Jill Eikenberry sing a number from Onward, Victoria.  Or where the mention of the name Bruce Yeko draws spontaneous applause and the audience enjoys a running gag about Lenny Wolpe.

If It Only Even Runs A Minute 6 is the sixth edition of this series of rare songs, behind-the-scenes tales, and inspiring photos from Broadway musicals that may not have been fully appreciated the first time around. The show features performances and stories from original cast members of several of the featured shows. This is an essential concert for musical theatre nerds!