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I refer you to the rave review of the show posted by my colleague Elli, “The King of Broadway” elsewhere on this site.  I agree wholeheartedly with his opinion, having seen the late show myself on Saturday.  Whereas Elli is just getting to know Johnny’s work, I have a different perspective, having followed his work for some years now, going back to before his 2005 CD debut with the knockout A Box of Photographs. He’s thinking outside that Box somewhat now, including several standards and pop hits in his current set list, but favorites from the CD remain prominently in the repertoire.  It’s been satisfying for me to witness Johnny grow as a performer and songwriter and showman, and yet to retain his disarming modesty and work ethic, keeping performances fresh and connected.  The last few years have been eventful.  He’s been touring the world with Liza Minnelli, sometimes as her pianist with a featured singing spot, and as one of the four guys singing and dancing as the Williams Brothers with Liza doing her Godmother Kay Thompson’s

nightclub routines.  They had a celebrated run on Broadway, too, with the pow-packed act documented on CD, DVD and a PBS special.  In addition to engagements everywhere from the Colony in Florida to probably Timbuktu, he and his great band have been in NYC at Birdland, the Iridium, the 92^nd Street Y’s Lyrics and Lyricists tribute to Mel Torme and the Nightlife Awards where he was one of the winners, completing a triple crown of cabaret wins, having already earned MAC and Bistro Awards, in addition to his songwriting awards. 

There were some new recordings released, such as “The Best of You in Me,” for which he won recognition in a United Kingdom songwriting contest, and it’s included in the set.                                                                                 

Even if you don’t win the seats, you’ll have a winning time if you attend the wonderful It’s a Wonderful World show.  Johnny breathes new life into the title song perhaps most

closely associated with Louis Armstrong. Johnny is genuine when he sings it, as he remains an unspoiled-by-attention/applause appreciator of life and its blessings.  That’s also evidenced in his own songwriting.  Alternating energizing or thoughtful, at the piano or out front at the mic, he’s in great voice putting on a great show with great songs with a great band.  Sounds like a recipe for success, huh?  The title of one of his chosen standards, “Too Marvelous for Words,” sums up the thoughts of this reviewer, who’s running out of positive descriptive words: “I search for phrases/To sing your praises/But there aren’t any magic adjectives to tell you…” And he doesn’t miss that neat Johnny Mercer internal rhyme.  And he doesn’t miss a beat, accompanied at first just by the bass of cool Brian Glassman.  Joe Ravo on guitar gives some kicks with some great licks ,and sticks are in the hands of tastefully hip drummer Danny Mallon.  To Johnny and his band, hats off for “You Can Leave Your Hat On” and “Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home” and so much more.  Bravo!

After Johnny’s run ends on May 29, Karen Oberlin has a Frank Loesser tribute June 1-19.  Throughout, Barbara Carroll continues her Sunday brunch shows.  See www.algonquinhotel.com/oak-room-supper-club For more on the Johnny Rodgers Band, see www.johnnyrodgers.com

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AND NOW FOR THAT TRIVIA CONTEST:

Have your cover charge waived by being the person with the most correct answers to these questions about people named Rodgers.

1. 1. Multiple choice: Frank Rodgers holds the record for being mayor of a town longer than anyone in U.S. history. How many consecutive terms did he serve as mayor of    Harrison, New Jersey?  A) 10 terms    B) 16 terms  C) 24 terms  D) Due to a poorly written law, there was no arrangement for a successor if a mayor died in office, so technically he has been mayor since 1846, even though the town merged with Mahwah, NJ.
   
2. Multiple Choice: Another Johnny Rodgers was noted in professional sports, winning awards and playing for US and Canadian teams.  What sport?  A) Baseball B) Football C) Polo D) Bingo
   
3. Johnny Rodgers and his band have been selected by the U.S. State Department and Jazz at Lincoln Center to be part of Rhythm Road, touring Asia as representatives of American music. There music genre category is American “Roots” music.   What other singer whose last name is Rodgers had his biography published recently and has the word “Roots” in its subtitle?
4. What is the first name of another singer-songwriter-instrumentalist named Rodgers who has sung solo, and has been in the company of Bad Company, Queen, The Firm, The Law and Free?
5. In Ricky Ritzel’s MAC Award-winning show of 2009-2010, Hysterical Blondness, he told a true, funny story about playing at a party at the elegant home of a composer named Rodgers.  Who was it?
6. What musical comedy actress named Rodgers starred in an off-Broadway revival of one of Ethel Merman’s most famous starring vehicles and was Merman’s standby when she did another of her iconic roles?

SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS TO: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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