By Dustin Fitzharris***Some individuals are just born to be stars. Standing center stage in front of a sold-out audience at Birdland on June 27, singer-actress Linda Lavin proved she is one of those individuals.
In her first concert in New York City in over two years, Lavin treated the audience to an evening of music and love—only fitting since the show celebrated Lavin’s album Love Notes, which was released just as the world came to a halt in 2020. At the time, the songs from the album became a source of comfort as Lavin and her friend and musical director-pianist, Billy Stritch, performed weekly virtual concerts.
Shortly after taking the stage and singing “I’ve Got My Eyes on You” (Cole Porter), Lavin was taken aback by the packed crowd’s love that came pouring her way. She turned to her 5-piece band and exclaimed, “They came!” Lavin shared with us that just before each show she performs she asks God why she does this. After hearing the applause and seeing the smiling faces, she said, “This is why.”
The connection between Lavin and her musicians is delightful to observe. In addition to Billy Stritch on piano, she was supported by Tom Hubbard (bass), Jeff Barone (guitar), Daniel Glass (drums) and Aaron Weinstein (violin and mandolin). Together, they delivered a rousing set of rhythmic delights including “Ace in the Hole” (Cole Porter) and “How High the Moon” 
((Nancy Hamilton, Morgan Lewis). She also wove in tender renditions of melodies like “I Wish I Were in Love Again” (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) and the Eagles’ (Don Henley, Timothy B. Schmit, Glenn Frey) “I Can’t Tell You Why,” in which she also displayed her talents as a pianist. There were some surprises too, including the likes of Steely Dan’s “Black Cow” (Donald Fagen, Walter Becker) and an impromptu singalong of the song made famous by the Andrew Sisters “Bei Mir Bist du Schön” (originally Bei Mir Bist Du Shein, Jacob Jacobs, Sholom Secunda).
Lavin does not use the time on stage to regale in stories from the past. Filled with youthful energy and sounding strong, she lives in the now and touches on the past only as it relates to today. This is apparent when she mentions the popular sitcom “Alice” in which she starred in for nine seasons. That reference was her way to introduce “You Must Believe in Spring” (Michel Legrand, Marilyn and Alan Bergman) and to pay homage to lyricist Marilyn Bergman, who died this spring, and who wrote the lyrics to the “Alice” theme song.
Earlier in her career, in Los Angeles, Lavin would often perform in nightclubs. She joked that at that time she’d sing Stephen Sondheim’s “I’m Still Here” to people who didn’t even know who she was. That’s not the 
case today. She’s still here, a fact that her Birdland audience and beyond are happy for. Returning to the stage (where it all began) post “Alice” and two Golden Globe Awards, she went on to win a Tony Award for her role in Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound.
In a business where entertainers come and go, Lavin remains resilient and committed to her craft. Most recently she appeared in the acclaimed film Being the Ricardos and completed two seasons on the CBS comedy “B Positive.” She’s also becoming a whiz at social media, actively sharing her adventures on Instagram. And the tech world seems to be agreeing with her. The Love Notes album is just shy of a million streams.
Linda Lavin’s Love Notes CD ( Club 44 Records) is available to stream on all music platforms and to purchase where music is sold.
All photos are by Kevin Alvey.
