Birdland stalwart, pianist and singer Steve Ross, presents his show I Remember Him Well: The Songs of Alan Jay Lerner on Monday, August 19 at 7:00 PM. For several years, he has been referred to as “The Crown Prince of New York Cabaret,” an unofficial but merited title.
One of the musical theatre’s most literate lyricists, Lerner’s equally notable musical partners include Kurt Weill (Love Life), Burton Lane (Royal Wedding, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) and most famously and most prolifically, Frederick Loewe. Lerner and Loewe’s contributions to the musical world of theater and film are many and marvelous: Paint Your Wagon, Brigadoon, Camelot, Gigi and the eternal treasure My Fair Lady. Songs will include “I Talk to the Trees,” “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,” “I Remember It Well,” “What Did I Have That I Don’t Have?,” “The Heather on the Hill,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?” and “Almost Like Being in Love.”
Steve Ross was raised in Washington, DC, and heard a lot of music at home, some from his mother who played piano. In due course, he studied piano himself and by the time he had attended Georgetown University and served in the US Army, he had become an accomplished pianist, drawing his repertoire from the Great American Songbook. In the early ‘70s he settled in New York City where he soon became well known on the cabaret scene. Ted Hook, owner of Backstage, a piano bar in midtown, hired him. The association was successful and in 1979 Hook opened a new club, Onstage, especially to showcase Ross’ talents. In 1981, Ross was booked into the Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel where he played a considerable part in establishing the room as a perennial favorite.
There is a $40 music charge and a $20 food and beverage minimum. For reservations, please call (212) 581-3080 or visit www.BirdlandJazz.com.
Birdland is located at 315 West 44th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues) in Manhattan.
