Night of 1,000 Super Troupers: the Bistro Awards

The 27th Annual Bistro Awards presentation was the first I've attended and I found it a total embarrassment... of riches! Unfortunately for me, although I was thoroughly enjoying the generous parade of entertainment, I had to leave before it all wrapped up and consequently missed two major Awards winners: Dee Dee Bridgewater (as in one over troubled) and Melissa Manchester. (And you don't know how they talked about her! (Only good things, though, I hear.))

My friend, novelist Kevin Scott Hall, who is also cabaret columnist for Edge New York and writes reviews for Bistro Awards on-line (http://bistroawards.com/), told me that Dee Dee Bridgewater gave great show. "She had missed her plane but got in just in time to come directly to the Bistros," he told me confidentially. "She was wearing sweats and had her little dog on a leash, but she tore up the place with her two songs. Then Marvin Hamlisch accompanied Melissa. She was great ...and very gracious."

See Kevin on Kabaret's recent interview with Melissa Manchester at http://www.edgenewyork.com/entertainment/music/features//132255/melissa_manchester_takes_bistro_honor,_then_tours_northeast

Kevin is a Bistro Awards committee member, and he was also a presenter last night along with the show's associate producer, Richard Skipper, and such fabulous icons of entertainment as Annie Ross, Marvin Hamlish and especially journalist Liz Smith, still looking great at 89. "I'm the only intellectual ever fired by The New York Post," Liz quipped, modesty be damned!

Ms Smith then introduced her friend, entertainment legend Kaye Ballard, winner of this year's Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award. Regretfully, Special K Kate opted to appear beamed to us, via Skype, from L.A., still as sharp and funny as ever at 86. She will be at Feinstein's in June, presumably not by satellite or holographic image.

Indeed, all legendary ladies present were joys to behold -- and can we, any of us, help but have a special flow of love for the show biz idols with whom we grew up? And so the love flowed, as did two bottles of lite beer over glasses full of ice for me, and we were equally awed by a new generation of talent creating a new and exciting vibe permeating the cozy theater at the Gotham Comedy Club in Chelsea.

Early on, Terese Genecco performed, as did Shaynee Rainbolt and Nicolas King, all of whom I previously experienced at one of Genecco's Tuesday night shows at Iridium recently. It was a treat to enjoy them all over again. Amy Beth Williams' coloratura soprano, stage presence and interpretive skills always delight. As does Justin Sayre's foppish comic persona. (I mean, it is a persona?)

"As a gay, Justin has excelled at scarf placement, devilish quips, and a healthy, but firm, love of the American musical," reads his bio; his show at the Duplex has been going strong for over two years for good reason. Aaron Weinstein's comedy mixed with violin virtuosity won me over, as did the faux tacky-lounge act of Max and Maxine, somewhat in the tradition of Bette Midler's Vicki Eydie and Kiki & Herb.

Jim David's hosting was wry and irreverant, an act in and of itself. Jon Weber's musical direction was consistently divinely inspired. Always good to see Don't Tell Mama's Sidney Myer (here as announcer). And producer Sherry Eaker pulled off a Monday night miracle, looking cool, calm, elegant and fetching in a black, diaphanous gown with sparkling embroidery and thong; something that Cher might wear when feeling sheepish. Ms Eaker had much reason to feel good about herself.

So, what wasn't to like about this Awards ceremony? Not a thing if you're asking me. It was a thoroughly entertaining one fueled by inter-generational star power, and that energy is what keeps New York cabaret an essential, vital stage medium. In terms of the onslaught of entertainment, joy of performing and the length of the event, it was a lot of bang for your buck.

Last night, the medium was indeed the message. And what a merry message it was indeed!

Below, a very 1984 Melissa Manchester on Solid Gold, featuring The Solid Gold Dancers.

Terese Genecco Is Swingin' on the Moon, Babies!

Terese Genecco may not yet be a household name, but she may well become one soon. Genecco (pronounced Jen-eh-ko) is the new k.d. lang, possessing a beautiful, belting, crystal-clear voice and an image that transcends gender stereotyping. In her rat-pack suit; open shirt with untied bowtie hanging around her neck; short, spiked black hair and intense eye make-up, she is a finger-snapping, swingingly kinetic entertainer who brings such incredible energy and verve to the stage, it will infect any audience.

Her "Little Big Band" is also divine, and she is their bandleader and crooner. My friend, Kevin Scott Hall, wrote in his Edge cabaret column: "If the powers that be think there are no new big stars to be found, they aren't looking hard enough.... This kind of comet doesn't pass our way nearly enough."

I went to see Terese at Iridium, upon Kevin's recommendation, where she will be playing through the end of the year. It's loungey; it's nostalgic; it's camp with a straight face; it's delightful, delicious and de-groovy!

Terese and Band have just released their second album. It's dreamy. Many of the songs from her Tuesday 8 pm set at Iridium, thankfully, appear on "Live from the Iridium NYC." (Iridium is located on Broadway, in the theater district, next door to the Winter Garden.)

I swooned to "A Lot of Livin' to Do" (from Bye, Bye, Birdie), the album's opener. Two of my favorite songs, from the set that I experienced live, are on Genecco's sophomore cd effort: "Washington Square" (originally performed by the legendary Marilyn Maye) and the cool, swingin' "Swingin' on the Moon," a cover of the Mel Torme song. (And what could be more far-out than that?)

A number that's not on this album was Steve Allen's eternally hep "This Could Be the Start of Something." I've always had a jones for this tune and Terese put it across fiercely at her Iridium gig.

Terese finally blew me away, in concert, by singing while drumming during her finale! (I thought that was the first time I ever heard a female lead-vocalist drum at the same time, but Kevin reminded me that Karen Carpenter has done it, too.)

The Little Big Band: Barry Levitt on piano, Tom Hubbard on bass, Ray Marchica on drums, Sean Harkness on guitar and Mayra Consales on percussion (bongos). The hard-working horn section was phenomenal: Cliff Lyons (sax), Doug Beavers (trombone) and Tony Lavender (trumpet and serious eye candy). These guys blew hard and well.

(Image of Genecco & her original SF band.)

Terese and Band had marvelous rapport and the joy they were obviously having onstage infiltrated us as we watched. It went down to the soul very nicely, like a tonic.

The singer/swinger also generously dueted during her set. Young Nicolas King was exceptional. Robert Hicks' style was perfect for this sort of music but did not rise properly above the blaring wall-of-sound intensity of the horn section. Terese generously allowed Shaynee Rainbolt a solo spot,

then swiftly returned to diva mode to continue her act.

Even the rendition of "Frankie & Johnny," the folk song that's been covered to death forever, showed new life (in both the show and on the album).

Order Terese Genecco's cds on Amazon.com (downloads also available), CD Universe and CD Baby. "Live at Iridium" cd on Bug Out Music. Genecco's swingin' on the moon; she could be swingin' on a star.