Singer/pianist Eric Comstock presented an emotional and polished salute to composer Charles Strouse at the American Songbook Series. Strouse is turning 80 this year, one of his hit musicals, Applause, is opening the 2008 Encores! Series, and Eric Comstock, long an admirer, highlighted the jazz sensibilities of Strouse's theatre melodies. While many know his Broadway songs, especially from Annie (written with Martin Charnin) and Bye, Bye Birdie (with Lee Adams), Strouse was a jazz pianist from the 52nd Street era. His tunes were interpreted by jazz legends like Lee Morgan, Clark Terry and the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and singers like Nina Simone and Sarah Vaughan. Strouse's greatest jazz flavor is probably evidenced in his musical, Golden Boy, and Comstock quickly got into the show's flavor with "This is the Life," and the melancholy "Night Song."

Comstock on piano was backed by a super-trio of Peter Washington on bass, Vito Lesczak on drums, and Harry Allen adding his soulful tenor saxophone. Barbara Fasano brought wit, intelligence and intensity to her vocals. Her rendition of "Golden Boy" is a tale of resignation, with a dab of hope. "While the City Sleeps," Comstock's impressionistic creation from Golden Boy, set a city mood for the pairing of his "I Want to Be with You" paired with Fasano's "Lorna's Here." This was a high moment in the show.

One of the most poignant ballads in the American songbook is "Once Upon a Time," from All-American, which Comstock delivered with taste, understanding, and purity.

Toward the end of the show, Comstock called composer Charles Strouse to the stage. Unassuming, Strouse looked at the cityscape behind him and commented that he grew up in the neighborhood. He used to go to Central Park and look out at the lights, and now here he was, enjoying this perceptive tribute to his songs. Sitting down at the piano, Strouse began, "Boy the way Glen Miller played…" the theme song from All in the Family. He then went into "Tomorrow" (Annie).

The expanse and understanding of Comstock's show was a sensitive tribute to the variety of Strouse songs. This is music with both intelligence and heart, from the wistful "Night Song" to the propitious spunk of Annie's: "Bet your bottom dollar/ That tomorrow/ There'll be sun!"

Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
Febraury 6, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org