Salon Wrapup for February 21, 2010

Mark Janas and Tanya Moberly

For the evening of February 21st, 2010, The Salon was kicked off by guest host Joe Bachana (he is performing three dates in March at the Metropolitan Room, is a singer, pianist, and trumpet player!). Then followed Christian Sineath, Joan Jaffe (who is in the midst of recording a new CD), composer duo Kathryn Allyn and Sheldon Forest, Jennie Litt with David Alpher, and Joanne Sheeron (playing guitar for herself with Mark Janas accompanying her on piano for an 80's rock ballad sing-along). Mark took a break while Barry Levitt played for J. Michael Reeds, Sunny Leigh, and Helena Grenot (look out for her Don't Tell Mama dates on May 18th and 21st). The adorable and delightful Steven Cole had his Salon Debut with a spritely "Bidin' My Time" by Gershwin. Then came Edie Stokes, composer Richard Eisenberg (who went against his normal ebullient humor by singing an original torch song entitled "The Road to the Blues") and Jillian Laurain (at the Metropolitan Room in May, 2010). Joey Infante then sang a heartfelt "Who Can I Turn To." The Salon then had an impromptu mini-tribute to "Show Boat," the history-making musical of 1927. Stephanie Zagoren brought in "Can't Help Lovin' That Man of Mine", and then Sierra Rein (full disclosure - that's me!) & Mark Watson brought in a tribute to the late Kathryn Grayson with a duet on "Make Believe." Maureen Taylor rocked our funny bones with a fabulous comedic song entitled "It Would Never Have Worked" and Marnie Klar closed the first half with the emotional "Maybe I Like it This Way."

After intermission, host Joe Bachana (who always kept the banter lively in between artists) sang, then introduced Special Guest Barbara Porteus. Barbara did a three-song set of classic Cole Porter, Fran Landesman and Tommy Wolf, and then a hot little number "I'm the Woman You Call." Next, Mark brought in his favorite feature of the Salon - the "Classical Corner" - by introducing concert pianist Baris Buyukyildirim from the Manhattan School of Music. Baris wowed the crowd with a complete piano rendition of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue." The entire room was hushed while he played, and a standing ovation ensued as soon as the last note echoed from the piano. Tanya Moberly then kept the energy of the room up with a powerful rendition of "The Man That Got Away" (just the intro of the music had one lady in the audience exclaim "Oh honey!" in anticipation, and she wasn't disappointed.) Since the spoken word is always appreciated (and because he's so good at the written word) Peter Napolitano brought in an essay called "Where Do I Begin?," a scathing dissection of the 40-year-old Oscar winner Love Story. Love indeed means saying sorry over and over and over! Speaking of love, Jenna Esposito sang the biting but beautiful "I Wanna Be Around." Andrew Monahan sang an original duet he is developing into a movie musical short with his brother, David Ballard crooned "What Do I Need with Love," and then the incomparable Sarah Rice gave us a lovely goofy song "That's My Weakness Now" (Sarah returns to the Laurie Beechman with her successful "Screen Gems" show March 5th and 7th!) Joe Bachana brought it all together for one final number - "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," although he had already given the Salon a wonderfully hosted evening!

-Sierra Rein
The Blogette for The Salon

Spelling mistakes? URL's I missed? Did I mess up? Please email me.