By Beth Naji***Singer-songwriter Marcus Goldhaber returned to 54 Below after an 11-year absence to celebrate the release of his sixth studio album, The Promise of You—a musical journey in 12 tracks, weaving his original songs with the Great American Songbook, taking us down the winding road of love.
Goldhaber brought
together the same stellar band featured on the recording: Musical director-pianist Art Hirahara, bassist Michael O’Brien, drummer Alvester Garnett, guitarist Paul Bollenback, Summer Camargo (trumpet, flugelhorn) and Jay Rattman (saxophone, clarinet). With Goldhaber’s smooth, retro-inspired vocals leading the way, this stellar ensemble became the perfect accompaniment to guide us through this journey.
Opening with a swingin’, reimagined take on “Skylark” (Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer), his warm, inviting voice immediately drew the audience in, as Rattman’s beautiful soaring soprano sax took flight to “My heart is riding on your wings.” With “Let’s Get Lost” (Jimmy McHugh, Frank Loesser), he began revealing the emotional thread running through the album: carried by a Brazilian samba-style rhythm, the fresh arrangement captured two people caught up in the moment, with features for Bollenback and Garnett..
The original, “Just One More Song,” with its mid-tempo swing stroll was a tender portrait of a couple reluctant to say goodbye. The album’s title track followed as a swaying waltz inspired by the hopeful anticipation of meeting 
someone special. Goldhaber’s easygoing vulnerability and tone revealed a Chet Baker-like cool, understated approach, which added to its intriguing uncertainty: “Don’t know what’s comin’, but my heart is hummin’.”
Arriving at “The Uptown Cabaret,” a swinging, shuffle-driven almost boogie woogie original gave Rattman room for a ripping saxophone solo, while Hirahara demonstrated his considerable piano chops. Goldhaber shifted gears with the romantic ballad, “You Will Be Loved,” another original, filled with tenderness, enhanced by Camargo’s gorgeous, lyrical flugelhorn solo. Another original, “with jazzy, upbeat swing, I Know What It’s Like to Be Happy,” moved the story forward to the reinvented “Darn That Dream” (Jimmy Van Heusen, Eddie DeLange), which brought a poignant turn toward longing. The rarely-heard introductory verse, combined with a superb musical arrangement and Goldhaber’s mellow, resonant voice captured the ache between fantasy and reality. “I’ll See You in My Dreams” (Isham Jones, Gus Kahn) was offered with a happy-go-lucky yet bittersweet feel with Goldhaber adding a relaxed scat solo before Camargo stepped in with her enticing trumpet solo. The original, “You Are a Love Song” 
embraced the intoxicating possibility of new love and ending with the telling line, “My heart is ready now.”
Guest vocalist, the amazing Marieann Meringolo, added another deeply-personal moment with the world premiere of “Will There Be a Time,” co-written by Goldhaber (lyrics) and his mother, Marylynn Goldhaber (music). This occasion was the first time his mother heard the song performed, making Meringolo’s powerful performance all the more moving.
Goldhaber turned “The Best Is Yet to Come” (Cy Coleman, Carolyn Leigh) into a mysterious, almost film-noir meditation, with a haunting bass line replacing the song’s usual driving swing. “Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home” (Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer), brought the evening back into motion, with an energetic drum solo reinforcing the idea that home can be found in a person as much as a place.The journey came full circle with the encore, Goldhaber’s upbeat original “Two at a Time,” featuring Rattman’s clarinet. Playful and charming, the tune celebrated life’s sweetest journey for two—hand in hand.
With warmth, swing, humor and heart, Marcus Goldhaber turned an album release into a song cycle of the winding road toward love, connection and ultimately, each other. The Promise of You is not simply about finding someone, but finding your way to them – and to yourself.
Photos by Beth Naji
