A new weekly series by producer Scott Barbarino has re-launched at the Reprise Room every Saturday evening with sets at 9:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.  The opening night was MC’d by both Scott and Melody Breyer-Grell.  Guests were pre-selected and some were surprise walk-in’s for this open-mic evening. What could any singer want more than to have the famed Barry Levitt and his flying fingers on piano, together with musical magicians Victor Jones on drums and Chick Jackson on bass as backups for their vocals?

The evening I attended began with a great Isham Jones instrumental by this awesome trio. First up on the bill was Long Island’s Esther Beckman who received last season’s newcomer MAC Award.  She opened with “I Got Rhythm” and continued with Melissa Manchester’s “Come In From The Rain” (with some shoobie do backups from Barry), her lovely, warm vocals and range a pleasant sensation. Let’s hear more Esther!

Melody had some “CDs for Sale” (to the tune of “Love for Sale”) and gave the audience a good laugh with her parody lyric “I did not set out to fail. Guess I’ll toss them in a pail.“  Next on stage was the well-known and loved Trudi Mann, who produces her own open mic afternoons on the eastside of Manhattan at Butterfield 8, singing “It’s A Good Day” and “I Haven’t Got Anything Better To Do “(Vance/Pockriss). She’s a seasoned, relaxed jazz singer who’s been in the biz many years.  Pretty redhead Lynn Loosier, who hails from the south, is a soulful jazzarette with a flair for drama and a great set of pipes, as they say, and gave her renditions of “You Don’t Know Me” and “Sunday in New York.”  Perhaps another solo show is in order.  Antonio Edwards, unscheduled, was ready with “My Funny Valentine”, followed by blonde bombshell Sunny Leigh (pretty and sexy) with Cheryl Crowe’s “Open Door.” A little more clarity and attention to the lyric would go a long way!

John DeMarco, who we’ve missed on the cabaret scene, is finally back to wow  audiences, as he sang “Broadway” followed by “It Was Not Exactly Paris.” John is a consummate professional with a ‘dreamy’ vocal quality reminiscent of Mel Torme or Tony Bennett. A former Folies Bergere lead singer in Paris, his lush, smooth, full-bodied voice, like a fine red wine, can be savored and listened to endlessly. He is a 2007 MAC Award Winner for Male Jazz Singer and a 2008 MAC Award Nominee for Best Jazz Recording of his CD Pure and Simple.

Looks like this weekly series is taking off as next week’s evening welcomes guests Mary Foster Conklin, Kelly Howe, Richard Malavet, Sharon McNight, Shaynee Rainbolt, Ricky Ritzel and Julian Yeo.

The Reprise Room is at 245 West 54^th Street with reservations suggested by calling 212 307-9797. 

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
April 12, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org