Award-winning vocalist Phillip Officer salutes Mabel Mercer with a new album release concert on Friday, October 24 at 9:30 PM at 54 Below. Entitled, You Fascinate Me So, on the Center Stage label, the concert of the same name follows a single track release (Gigi‘s “I’m Glad I’m Not Young Anymore”), featured on the digital-only/streaming album, officially being released on concert date, 10/24. Joining Officer are special guest KT Sullivan, with music director-pianist Mark Hartman, bassist Saadi Zain, drummer Ray Marchica and violinist Mollie Rose.
For his first album in over 20 years, Officer reinterprets the repertoire of influential song stylist Mabel Mercer through a contemporary lens, offering new versions of both cherished standards and captivating rarities. No understanding of the American popular song is complete without the knowledge of the legendary Mabel Mercer (1900-1984) and her influence on lyric interpretation. Her perfect diction and honest approach to lyrics attracted many of America’s iconic singers to emulate her style: Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Bobby Short, Peggy Lee, and Nat King Cole. What they learned from Mercer transformed American culture.
The album features co-producer and co-arranger Mark Hartman on piano, in addition to Saadi Zain on bass, Mollie Rose on violin, Kevin Kuhn on guitar, and Ray Marchica on drums. The album was produced by Mark Hartman, Phillip Officer, and Robbie Rozelle, and features arrangements by Mark Hartman, Mark Hummel, and Tex Arnold. Center Stage Records is the new label from Broadway Records founder, GRAMMY Award and Tony Award winner, Van Dean. The label is dedicated to the preservation of Broadway, London, Off-Broadway, new musicals in development and theater-related solo albums.
Listen to Officer sing Noel Coward’s “Sail Away” here (says Officer: “His inclusion in my show dedicated to Mabel is mandatory! She did not have the special relationship with Noel that she developed with Cole Porter, but nonetheless her love for his repertoire was steadfast. In addition to “Sail Away”) AND to pre-save the album, go here.
For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. For more information about the album, including a track listing, click here.
54 Below is located at 254 West 54th St. (Cellar), NYC
