|
|
|
Tweet this article !
Publisher's Note: Mike Berkowitz and the New Gene Krupa Orchestra with guest vocalist Hilary Kole will be appearing at the Iridium Jazz Club on Tuesday Oct. 14 two sets 8:30pm & 10:30pm. The following is a review by Jay Jeffries that appeared here on Cabaret Exchange last year.
When was the last time you wanted to jump out of your seat and start to jitterbug?
For me, it was last night at Dillon’s new Reprise Room where Michael Berkowitz brought his 15-piece Gene Krupa Orchestra. And I wasn’t the only one. As I looked around the refurbished, curry scented room, everyone’s feet seemed to be tapping, everyone’s shoulders seemed to be swaying to the sound of genuine swing music played by seasoned pros. For a little over an hour, it felt as if we were all back on 52nd Street where jazz clubs once proliferated, when we were young and the world seemed a lot less troublesome.
To aid and abet on vocals, Mr. Berkowitz introduced Anthony Apicella and Leslie Anderson. Mr. Apicella has the good looks of a young Sinatra and the sound of the era down pat, as he gracefully glides through standards like “I’ve Got The World On A String,” “All Or Nothing At All” and “Saturday Night Is The Loneliest Night of the Week.” And Ms. Anderson, never a slouch when it comes to swing, flawlessly belts her way through a boogie then slides into “Our Love Is Here To Stay” with honey-voiced ease. Bravo and brava!
Mike Berkowitz plays and conducts with confidence and makes you feel like you’re sitting in his living room, but his band could easily fill a stadium. I have no idea how long Dillon’s has booked them for, but I hope it’s going to be a long stay.
My only regret is that there isn’t room for dancing in the aisles. From the looks of last night’s eager crowd, there seemed to be enough of us who could still do a nifty jitterbug or a lindy hop.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
