Tony DeSare

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Tony DeSare

Birdland Theater, NYC, July 29, 2022

Reviewed by Bart Greenberg

Tony DeSare

Musician/singer/songwriter/pianist Tony DeSare appeared at Birdland Theater for the first time in five years, and New York City became a brighter place with his return. With three extraordinary musicians—Edward Decker on guitar, Dylan Shamat on bass, and Michael Klopp on drummer, all of whom had their moments to shine—the program moved from one highlight to another—whether it be swinging, romantic, or devastating. Looking lithe and stylish, DeSare possesses a natural charm that brings his audiences closer to the music. And what music it was, featuring both classics such as Cole Porter’s “It’s All Right with Me,” with which he opened the show in a hot swinging rendition, and more recent standards such as Prince’s “Kiss,” which he happily delivered away from the piano in a most seductive manner.

Some of the arrangements were surprising and even strange, but they were also delicious, as in the second Porter number, “Just One of Those Things,” which prominently featured Shamat on bass. On the other hand, “You Don’t Know Me” was given a slow, sexy interpretation with an almost Southern tang that bewitched the sold-out room. Stephen Sondheim/Jule Styne’s “All I Need Is the Girl” started off easy and casual and then built and built to a joyous romantic celebration.

Of course, any DeSare show happily offers a few of his own compositions; on this evening there were three that showed his wide range of styles. The first song was inspired by his desire to give people something to dance to because he had recently composed a series of ballads. “New Orleans Tango” certainly gets feet moving; it also tells a sexy story does that very well indeed. The second, “Paris Always Will Have You,” was a very American tribute to the City of Lights and to arranger Nelson Riddle that charmed with its laid-back romance. The third was a brand-new song, inspired by his love for his son; this has been recurring theme in his work since the evening at Birdland when he first announced he was going to be a father. “Always Sunny When I’m with You” was a bewitching soft shoe number filled with affection.

Both Shamat and Klopp had their moments to shine in the fireworks arrangements of “I’m Going to Live Until I Die” and “Somebody Loves Me,” but Decker emerged as the second star of the evening as he brought sweet and passionate notes from his seven-string guitar. This was never more evident than in the exquisite moment that was the highlight of the show when he and DeSare delivered a version of “One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)” with such simplicity that it broke our hearts. The two artists blended as one to achieve their goal. The singer matched this achievement with his encore, a soulful solo version of “New York State of Mind.” Hopefully, his fans won’t have to wait so long for his next return.
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Bart Greenberg

Bart Greenberg first discovered cabaret a few weeks after arriving in New York City by seeing Julie Wilson and William Roy performing Stephen Sondheim and Cole Porter outdoors at Rockefeller Center. It was instant love for both Ms. Wilson and the art form. Some years later, he was given the opportunity to create his own series of cabaret shows while working at Tower Records. "Any Wednesday" was born, a weekly half-hour performance by a singer promoting a new CD release. Ann Hampton Callaway launched the series. When Tower shut down, Bart was lucky to move the program across the street to Barnes & Nobel, where it thrived under the generous support of the company. The series received both The MAC Board of Directors Award and The Bistro Award. Some of the performers who took part in "Any Wednesday" include Barbara Fasano and Eric Comstock, Tony Desare, Andrea Marcovicci, Carole Bufford, the Karens, Akers, Mason and Oberlin, and Julie Wilson. Privately, Greenberg is happily married to writer/photographer Mark Wallis, who as a performance artist in his native England gathered a major following as "I Am Cereal Killer."