Stacy Sullivan: On the Air
Stacy Sullivan
On the Air
Don’t Tell Mama, NYC, 11/23/14
Reviewed by Peter Haas for Cabaret Scenes
Radiant and warm, Stacy Sullivan—following her recent award-winning tribute to Peggy Lee—graced the intimate Brick Room at Don’t Tell Mama with a music-filled reflection on the career of composer and jazz pianist Marian McPartland. Until her death in 2011, she was hostess of National Public Radio’s Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz.
Backed expertly on piano by Jon Weber—who today is host of Piano Jazz—and on bass by Tom Hubbard, Sullivan performed several of McPartland’s “Portrait of…” songs, for which McPartland wrote the music—homages to Marcia Ball, Mercer Ellington and Ray Charles—as well as McPartland’s “Stranger in a Dream” (lyrics: Irving Caesar), “Twilight World” (lyrics: Johnny Mercer), and “In the Days of Our Love” (lyrics: Peggy Lee). Jon scored with a stunning, intricate rendition of McPartland’s “Prelude to a Kiss.”
Several of Duke Ellington’s pieces (with various other writers) were represented in a medley—”I’m Beginning to See the Light,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Aint Got That Swing)” and “Jump for Joy.” Other popular pieces included Sullivan’s lovely versions of “September in the Rain” (Warren/Dubin), “Blue Skies” (Berlin) and “Loving You” (Sondheim).
Two after-show audience comments may reflect Stacy Sullivan’s growing popularity with cabaret audiences: “She’s authentic” and “she loves her material…and it shows!”
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews
