Multi-MAC and Bistro Award winning singer. Sue Matsuki honors Broadway, TV and cabaret icon, the Grand Dame, Julie Wilson in But Beautiful… on Friday, May 19 at 9:30 PM at 54 Below. Musical director/arranger Gregory Toroian on piano is joined by Skip Ward on bass and David Silliman on drums. Directed by Lina Koutrakos.
Matsuki will sing a program of Wilson’s signature tunes from Arlen to Porter to Sondheim “all done in her own way because, who could compare to Miss Wilson?” The singer was Wilson’s choice for the first Julie Wilson Award in 2004 bestowed by the Mabel Mercer Foundation. This tribute show is about Wilson the woman, mentor and friend of 18 years. Matsuki will share beautiful and real stories about her close relationship with the Grand Dame of Cabaret with songs that include “I’m Gonna Live ‘Til I Die,” “Send in the Clowns,” “Miss Otis Regrets,” a Billie Holiday tune or two (Julie’s favorite singer) and, of course, “But Beautiful.”
Tickets are $30-$70 with a $25.00 food/drink minimum. Reserve at https://54below.com/events/sue-matsuki/
54 Below is located at 254 West 54th Street in Manhattan.
Editor’s Note: Just before she passed, NiteLife Exchange publisher Scott Barbarino produced a tribute to Wilson at the Iridium in NYC in 2013. Wilson herself was in the audience, with son Holt McCallany as one of the performers. Of the event, Barbarino says, “It was a joy to see so many young people in the audience learning about Wilson and her music to bring it forward.” Wilson died in 2015.
“A Tribute to Julie Wilson,” resented by ScoBar Entertainment was video’d by Maryann Lopinto. Click here for a video of Grace Wall with “Hey Look Me Over” from that evening.
