Ricky Pope - Page 8

Dawn Derow lit up The West Bank Cafe with a very eclectic mix of favorite golden-age Broadway standards, newer Broadway sounds, pop songs, and even a touch of the operatic. Ms. Derow has a voice that is warm and as comforting as an old friend. She is capable of soprano arias and smokey torch songs and navigates both equally well. I was particularly impressed by her Bassa-nova-tinged version of George Benson’s “This Masquerade,” and her Sweet Dreams,” in which she managed to evoke Patsy Cline without imitating her.

“Dinner music” is really too small a term for what Billy Stritch is doing at the West Bank Cafe. That implies something that’s occurring in the background. His smart jazz arrangements of classics from the Great American Songbook are very much front and center.

The Boy Band Project and The Green Room 42 presents BOY BAND BRUNCH every Sunday at 2 pm. It is a loving tribute to, and a sly send-up of, the boy bands from the 1990's we all loved, lusted after, and laughed at. These guys work harder than any brunch server in the city.

The Skivvies bring the fun back to New York nightlife with their new show at The Green Room 42. Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley create a rocking evening of pop songs, show tunes, mash-up, and parodies that is the best party in town.

As the final concert of three, Melissa Errico and Adam Gopnik premier their evening for the French Institute; Alliance Française, IL PARLE, ELLE CHANTE, PART 3: MYSTERY. It is a treat for the music lover, the knowledge lover, and the francophile.

Award-winning jazzman, Ted Nash, and legendary actress, Glenn Close have teamed up to create an inspiring album of jazz and spoken word pieces in TRANSFORMATION: PERSONAL STORIES OF CHANGE, ACCEPTANCE, AND EVOLUTION. Recorded live as part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center series, the album is a triumph that showcases two great artists speaking with one voice.