For the opening of our second half, we had a treat. Aaron Lee Battle (no relation to Kathleen) started out snapping to get us into the smoothly-sung and easily swung "Lucky So and So" by Duke Ellington. which featured some fantastic gospel belting, a few sly winks, and amazingly tricky rhythms. In his past repertoire, Aaron has worked on works written and performed by jazz and blues greats like Ellington, Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole, so he went into the sultry "Nature Boy," which was simply but effectively sung, prioritizing the lyrics over vocal fireworks and featuring his storytelling abilities. Aaron is also working on a tribute to Al Jarreau, which he has been working on it for a few years, and we got a taste of it, the soulful "Mornin'," which has probably the sexist mention of Cheerios I have ever heard. To complete his set, he sang "Is You Or Is You Ain't?" by Billy Austin and Louis Jordan, and anyone hearing Aaron sing it would have to respond, "IS!"
And of course, we were all waiting to hear Aaron break out the theme song to the evening, "Make Them Hear You" from Ragtime. He obliged, singing at the end of the evening from a role dear to his heart and experience. We loved hearing his passionate and moving rendition, which must have also been powerful in the context of the show - full, rich and powerful, with a message of outspoken power. We can't wait to hear his Al Jarreau show, which will debut at the end of this year or beginning of next, he promises.
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| Aaron Lee Battle |
On the theme to "Make Them Hear You" to musicians and a lesson in how the piano works - if you're a pianist, there are certain things you want people to hear and not hear during your performance, especially as an accompanist to singers. Simple textures like those within Bach's music can sound better depending on how the piano is played, especially as our modern instruments make music differently than the harpsichords and organs of Bach's time. On the harpsichord, literally a harp turned sideways with wooden mallets hitting the strings, notes have the same sound value no matter how the keys are hit. Same as on an organ; the sound is dependent on the sound of the instrument rather than the pianist. The introduction of the Piano Forte resulted in the ability for the music to respond in volume depending on the speed of the keys and how they are hit. Open spaces like the box (our chest and sinuses in humans) allow for the energy and kind of sounds we like to hear. When you can play different levels, a piece by Bach played equally on the strings just sounds weird and the melody is not heard. A pianist can lead the voices (melody to bass and back again) more easily on the piano, choosing what to make the audience hear more clearly. Piano is a percussion instrument; it doesn't "sing" the way a violin or oboe does (it can't sustain indefinitely the way a violinist or an oboist with great breath support can). Instead, the pianist creates the illusion of singing by allowing decay to happen and picking it up with the next note, allowing sounds to vibrate from one note to the next and using the pedal to create ring throughout the piece. The accompanist clears these inter-harmonies with the pedal, but you can't overdo the pedal and play it dry - clarity and sound has to be balanced to create a singing but yet not overwhelming accompaniment for the vocalist. Mark went through the music of a few of tonight's song choices, showing off how important these considerations are. He then asked Zach Wobensmith to come up to sing (from memory, no less!) through "Largo al Factotum" from The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini (1816) a few times, each time exemplifying how a pianist can aid or be no help at all to the energy and flow of a piece. Mark then laid down an amazing First Rule of an Accompanist (or really, also as a singer): "You have to listen harder than you play, or listen harder as you sing."
Salon Spotlight
Salon Spotlight
Our Salon Spotlight on Sunday was lyric mezzo-soprano Madelaine Warren. With an expressive musicality, rich belt, and a few nods to comedy sopranos of the past, Madelaine provided a varied selection of music, starting with the mysterious "Out of This World" by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. Stepping out of the unearthly mood of that tune, she swung into the samba with the playful "Day In, Day Out." A fan of Beverly Sills (famous for the line "it took me years to become a star overnight") Madelaine provided some clever lyrics and a lesson in both comedy and biology by ending her trio of works with the phunny, punny, physiology-filled "The Physician."
Madelaine's new show "Mad for Romance" will take place at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC on October 22nd at 7pm, October 28th at 3:30pm, November 4th at 6pm, and November 15th at 7:00pm with Musical Director Christopher Denny and Bob Renino on bass.
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| Madelaine Warren |
Click link to visit the performer’s website or other links, when available.
All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.
Co-Host: Aaron Lee Battle
Barb Malley
Zach Wobensmith
Kevin Wood
Mark Dundas Wood
Subiya Mboya (Steven Silverstein at the piano)
Annie Lebeaux
Angela Leone
Bennett Silverstein
Tony DiMeglio
Sylvester McCraken
David Ballard
Sierra Rein
Marnie Klar
All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.
Co-Host: Aaron Lee Battle
Barb Malley
Zach Wobensmith
Kevin Wood
Mark Dundas Wood
Subiya Mboya (Steven Silverstein at the piano)
Annie Lebeaux
Angela Leone
Bennett Silverstein
Tony DiMeglio
Sylvester McCraken
David Ballard
Sierra Rein
Marnie Klar
Salon Spotlight: Madelaine Warren
Classical Corner
BREAK
Co-Host: Aaron Lee Battle
Tanya Moberly
Encores:
Bennett Silverstein
Kevin Wood
Sylvester McCraken
Tony DiMeglio
David Ballard
Zach Wobensmith
Sierra Rein
Co-Host: Aaron Lee Battle
Special thanks to tonight's musicians: Mark Janas, Steven Silverstein, and Annie Lebeaux. Also thanks to David Ballard on lights and sound, our videographer Ruben Olvera, and the amazing waitstaff and management at Etcetera Etcetera.
Upcoming performances by guests of this evening's Salon:
Ongoing Performances:
Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30pm: "Peaceable Hour" is at St. Malachy's (The Actor's Church) in September. Take a break from the stress of the city, and immerse yourself in beautiful music, with Sarah Rice, Janice Hall, and Mark Watson. 239 W 49th Street, NYC. (FREE!)
Tuesdays, 6pm-9pm: Annie Lebeaux sings and plays piano (and offers the mic to others!) at Townhouse, 236 East 58th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018 (7pm): Barb Malley takes us "From Brooklyn to Broadway," at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.
Wednesday, October 17, 2018 (2pm): Tony DiMeglio in "Rat Pack Undead," a Zombies Parody show at The Green Room 42, Yotel Hotel, 570 10th Ave, NYC.
Thursday, October 18, 2018 (7pm): Bobbie Horowitz presents Marnie Klar and more in "It's Just a Number," at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, October 19, 2018 (9:30pm): Tanya Moberly directs "She Bangs She Bangs," written and performed by Jennifer Bangs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Thursday, October 25, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Wednesday, October 24, 2018 (2pm): Tony DiMeglio in "Rat Pack Undead," a Zombies Parody show at The Green Room 42, Yotel Hotel, 570 10th Ave, NYC.
Friday, October 26, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018 (2pm): Tony DiMeglio in "Rat Pack Undead," a Zombies Parody show at The Green Room 42, Yotel Hotel, 570 10th Ave, NYC.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018 (7pm): Sarah Rice and Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five) performs in a special Halloween "Into Sweeney Todd's Woods: Sondheim Unplugged" at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, Cellar, NYC.
Saturday, November 3, 2018 (2pm): Mark Dundas Wood in Director Kevin Scott Hall's "That Singing Feeling Showcase," at The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, NYC.
Monday, November 5, 2018 (7pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry," directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Monday, November 5, 2018 (7pm): Mark Dundas Wood in Director Kevin Scott Hall's "That Singing Feeling Showcase," at The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, NYC.
Sunday, November 12, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Lisa Viggiano Sings Bruce on Restaurant Row" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
BREAK
Co-Host: Aaron Lee Battle
Tanya Moberly
Encores:
Bennett Silverstein
Kevin Wood
Sylvester McCraken
Tony DiMeglio
David Ballard
Zach Wobensmith
Sierra Rein
Co-Host: Aaron Lee Battle
Special thanks to tonight's musicians: Mark Janas, Steven Silverstein, and Annie Lebeaux. Also thanks to David Ballard on lights and sound, our videographer Ruben Olvera, and the amazing waitstaff and management at Etcetera Etcetera.
Upcoming performances by guests of this evening's Salon:
Ongoing Performances:
Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30pm: "Peaceable Hour" is at St. Malachy's (The Actor's Church) in September. Take a break from the stress of the city, and immerse yourself in beautiful music, with Sarah Rice, Janice Hall, and Mark Watson. 239 W 49th Street, NYC. (FREE!)
Tuesdays, 6pm-9pm: Annie Lebeaux sings and plays piano (and offers the mic to others!) at Townhouse, 236 East 58th Street, NYC.
Upcoming Shows:
Tuesday, October 16, 2018 (7pm): Barb Malley takes us "From Brooklyn to Broadway," at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.
Wednesday, October 17, 2018 (2pm): Tony DiMeglio in "Rat Pack Undead," a Zombies Parody show at The Green Room 42, Yotel Hotel, 570 10th Ave, NYC.
Thursday, October 18, 2018 (7pm): Bobbie Horowitz presents Marnie Klar and more in "It's Just a Number," at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, October 19, 2018 (9:30pm): Tanya Moberly directs "She Bangs She Bangs," written and performed by Jennifer Bangs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Thursday, October 25, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Wednesday, October 24, 2018 (2pm): Tony DiMeglio in "Rat Pack Undead," a Zombies Parody show at The Green Room 42, Yotel Hotel, 570 10th Ave, NYC.
Friday, October 26, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018 (2pm): Tony DiMeglio in "Rat Pack Undead," a Zombies Parody show at The Green Room 42, Yotel Hotel, 570 10th Ave, NYC.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018 (7pm): Sarah Rice and Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five) performs in a special Halloween "Into Sweeney Todd's Woods: Sondheim Unplugged" at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, Cellar, NYC.
Saturday, November 3, 2018 (2pm): Mark Dundas Wood in Director Kevin Scott Hall's "That Singing Feeling Showcase," at The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, NYC.
Monday, November 5, 2018 (7pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry," directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Monday, November 5, 2018 (7pm): Mark Dundas Wood in Director Kevin Scott Hall's "That Singing Feeling Showcase," at The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, NYC.
Saturday, November 10, 2018 (1pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry," directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, November 12, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "She Bangs She Bangs," written and performed by Jennifer Bangs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, November 12, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "She Bangs She Bangs," written and performed by Jennifer Bangs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, November 12, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Lisa Viggiano Sings Bruce on Restaurant Row" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Thursday, November 15, 2018 (7pm): Bennett Silverstein performs "Born to be Bennett," at The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, NYC.
Friday, November 16, 2018 (7pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry," directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, November 17, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, November 17, 2018 (8pm): "The Algonquin Kid" by Michael Colby, starring Natalie Douglas, Donna English, Eddie Korbich, and T. Oliver Reed, music director Michael Lavine, directed by Charles Repole, at A.R.T./New York Theatres, 502 West 53rd St, NYC.
Sunday, November 25, 2018 (7pm): Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five and as a soloist) a part of"Sondheim Unplugged" at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, Cellar, NYC.
Monday, November 26, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly performs in "Hidden Treasures VI: Songs of Larry Kerchner" at The Triad, 158 W 72nd St, NYC.
Thursday, November 29, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, November 30, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, December 1, 2018 (5pm): Tanya Moberly directs "She Bangs She Bangs," written and performed by Jennifer Bangs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, December 2, 2018 (4pm): Tanya Moberly in Lennie Watts' Christmas Show at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 402 W 42nd, NYC.
Sunday, December 2, 2018: Angela Leone's performance of "All My Tomorrows" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, December 7, 2018 (7pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry," directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Monday, December 10, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly in Lennie Watts' Christmas Show at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 402 W 42nd, NYC.
Thursday, December 13, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, December 15, 2018, 2018: Subiya Mboya in Manhattan School of Music's Showcase at Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive, NYC.
Sunday, December 30, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Lisa Viggiano Sings Bruce on Restaurant Row" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Next Salon! October 21st, 2018:
Friday, November 16, 2018 (7pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry," directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, November 17, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, November 17, 2018 (8pm): "The Algonquin Kid" by Michael Colby, starring Natalie Douglas, Donna English, Eddie Korbich, and T. Oliver Reed, music director Michael Lavine, directed by Charles Repole, at A.R.T./New York Theatres, 502 West 53rd St, NYC.
Sunday, November 25, 2018 (7pm): Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five and as a soloist) a part of"Sondheim Unplugged" at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, Cellar, NYC.
Monday, November 26, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly performs in "Hidden Treasures VI: Songs of Larry Kerchner" at The Triad, 158 W 72nd St, NYC.
Thursday, November 29, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, November 30, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, December 1, 2018 (5pm): Tanya Moberly directs "She Bangs She Bangs," written and performed by Jennifer Bangs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, December 2, 2018 (4pm): Tanya Moberly in Lennie Watts' Christmas Show at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 402 W 42nd, NYC.
Sunday, December 2, 2018: Angela Leone's performance of "All My Tomorrows" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, December 7, 2018 (7pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry," directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Monday, December 10, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly in Lennie Watts' Christmas Show at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 402 W 42nd, NYC.
Thursday, December 13, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, December 15, 2018, 2018: Subiya Mboya in Manhattan School of Music's Showcase at Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive, NYC.
Sunday, December 30, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Lisa Viggiano Sings Bruce on Restaurant Row" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Next Salon! October 21st, 2018:
Theme for next week will be "High Hopes"! Our Co-Host will be Michael Kirk Lane, and our Salon Spotlight will be our very own Marnie Klar! Bring songs of wishing, hopes, desires, standing on cliffs or at the top of tall buildings, or perhaps a few 420 songs mixed in...anything goes. Hope to have you there!
-Sierra Rein
Bloggette for The Salon
Let me know if I missed something via email
-Sierra Rein
Bloggette for The Salon
Let me know if I missed something via email
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