The 2nd Adela and Larry Ellow
American Songbook High School Competition

The Next Generation of Entertainers Sing American Songbook Classics

The Laurie Beechman Theatre, NYC, March 9, 2019

Reviewed by Marilyn Lester for Cabaret Scenes

Photos by Maryann Lopinto

For institutions such as the Mabel Mercer Foundation (MMF), the American Songbook Association (publisher of Cabaret Scenes magazine), and others, The Adela & Larry Elow Teenager Endowment Fund (administered by The MMF) is cause for major celebration. The endowment was created to encourage teenagers to learn and perform songs from The Great American Songbook from the years 1900 to 1970, and for this second year of this program, it looks like the legacy of American music is in very good hands. And what better way to kick off the festivities than with MMF Artistic Director and cabaret star KT Sullivan’s rendition of “While We’re Young.”

The 12 participating vocalists in the competition were chosen from students who attend New York City public performing arts high schools. Across the board, their talent was dazzling. These young singers demonstrated a mature appreciation of vocal modulation and dynamics, the arc of a song, and the all-important skill of storytelling via a deep understanding of the lyric.
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Song choices often fell outside the box, with the most unusual being “Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long,” delivered in an animated and slyly comedic turn by Harriet Smith (Professional Performing Arts School).

During post-performance deliberations, the three winners from last year’s inaugural competition were on hand to the unexpected delight of all. The 2018 third-place winner, Naomi Steel, performed a delightful “ A-Tisket A-Tasket,” and second-place winner Hannah Jane Peterson precociously delivered an upbeat “Hit Me With a Hot Note (and Watch Me Bounce)” and “It’s a Good Day.” The 2018 first-place winner, Christina Jimenez, thoughtfully performed a trio of numbers: “A Cockeyed Optimist,” “The Gentleman Is a Dope,” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.”

The first prize of $2,500 was awarded to Anaïs Reno (Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School) for her triumphant interpretation of the Duke Ellington/Don George classic, “Ain’t Got Nothing But the Blues.” Reno’s win also includes an appearance during the annual Mabel Mercer Foundation Cabaret Convention in October at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater.

In second place, Jessica Ball (Professional Performing Arts School) won $1,500 with her straight-ahead, heartfelt interpretation of Ray Noble’s “The Very Thought of You.”

The third place win of $1,000 went to Thomas Hogan (Fiorello H. La Guardia High School) for a jazzy interpretation of Cole Porter’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” complete with dance interlude.

Making it difficult for the judges were Gabriella Veciana (Fiorello H. La Guardia High School) with “So In Love,” Hannah Butcher (Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School) with “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” Diana Caba (Professional Performing Arts School) with “My Own Morning,” Annie Ross (Talent Unlimited High School) with “Falling in Love With Love,” Grace Gammins (Fiorello H. La Guardia High School) with “Georgia on My Mind,” Kaitlyn Dieppa (Professional Performing Arts School) with “The Lady Is a Tramp,” Dwany Guzman with “My Romance” and Julia Parasram (Frank Sinatra School of the Arts) with “Beyond the Sea.
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Judges for the competition were singer’s singer Sandy Stewart, master teacher and jazz singer Natalie Douglas, award-winning cabaret performer and director Jeff Harnar, Broadway musical director and arranger Mark Hummel, Time Out New York critic Adam Feldman, and music author and journalist Will Friedwald. Accompanying these bright and talented students were pianists John Prestianni, Arri Simon, and Jon Weber. Ending the competition on the proverbial high note, was Sullivan leading the entire room in a sing-a-long of “Love Is Here to Stay.
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