Birdland Jazz Club presents the return of vocalist Klea Blackhurst and singer/pianist Billy Stritch in Dreaming of a Song: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael on Monday, August 7 at 7:00 PM.
These two performers reunite to bring their hit 2008 concert celebrating the music of one of America’s most treasured songwriters for one night only. Blackhurst and Stritch have mined the Carmichael catalogue to unearth lesser-known gems as well as beloved treasures such as “Skylark,” “Georgia on My Mind” and “Stardust.”
Blackhurt is an actress, singer and comedienne known for her award-winning tribute to Ethel Merman, Everything the Traffic Will Allow. She has appeared in concert venues from The London Palladium to Carnegie Hall, The Royal Albert Hall to Jazz at Lincoln Center and with symphony orchestras from Atlanta to Boston, Pittsburgh to Philly. Most recently she appeared as Emma Goldman in Ragtime: The Symphonic Concert with the Boston Pops at Tanglewood conducted by Keith Lockhart, as well as Ragtime: The Symphonic Concert with the Cincinnati Pops under the direction of John Morris Russell.
Stritch began his career in Houston, Texas, where he formed the vocal trio Montgomery, Plant and Stritch. The trio performed all over New York and Europe from 1983 until they disbanded in 1990. A chance meeting with Liza Minnelli in 1991 resulted in her asking him to create vocal arrangements for the Liza Stepping Out at Radio City Music Hall. In addition to his 25-year collaboration as accompanist and opening act for Liza, he recently toured with the late Tony Bennett as pianist and musical director. A solo entertainer in his own right, he has performed his own shows (including tributes to Mel Tormé and Cy Coleman) in concert halls and nightclubs across the country.
There is a $30-40 music charge and a $20 food and beverage minimum. For reservations, please call (212) 581-3080 or visitwww.BirdlandJazz.com.
Birdland is located at 315 West 44th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues) in Manhattan.
