Eric Comstock is a major artist, noted both for his own shows and those with his songstress wife, Barbara Fasano.  At the Iridium Jazz Club, Comstock showcased an additional aspect of his musical talents at the head of a jazz trio and a program dedicated to the legendary Duke Ellington and his longtime arranger and sometime collaborator, Billy Strayhorn. 

There were some delightful surprises of seldom heard numbers—"(They're Called) The Lonely Ones," "Jump for Joy" and a piano instrumental, "The Single Petal of a Rose," written by Ellington for Britain's Queen Elizabeth.  Comstock's style combined an easy, swinging approach to the piano with a pleasingly comfortable voice as he sang "Tomorrow Mountain," "Take Love Easy" and "I Like the Sunrise."  The piano solos were unfailingly thoughtful and tasteful, as guitarist, Randy Napoleon and bassist, Saadi Zain, played in a complementary, unassertive fashion in graceful support.

Barbara Fasano took a guest artist turn with husband Eric, offering masterful vocals of several songs, including "I Didn't Know About You" and "I've Got it Bad (and That Ain't  Good)."  Her "Do Nothing till You Hear From Me" was an imaginative duet with bassist Saadi Zain.  Although "I'm Checking Out – Goom Bye" was one of Fasano's numbers, any potential suspicions were allayed when she and husband Eric immediately followed it, dueting, with "You’re the One."

One additional note.  The Iridium could easily justify amending its name to The Iridium Supper Club.  The kitchen matched the quality of the performers.   

Seymour Spilka
Cabaret Scenes
April 23, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org