Billy Stritch & Friends

Celebrating the music of Mel Torme, Billy Stritch and Friends is a wonderful swinging evening of some of Mel’s most familiar songs.

First performed at the famed 92nd Street Y in 2009, this newest incarnation of Torme hits features Johnny Rodgers, Latayna Hall and Hillary Kole, with a special appearance by Marilyn Maye, based on scheduling.

Torme was an early musical influence to Stritch: "I first heard Tormé when I was a teenager and from that point on, he was my favorite jazz singer. One of the high points of my career was opening for him with my trio, Montgomery Plant and Stritch, at the 1988 JVC Jazz Festival at Carnegie Hall."

The concert will cover Tormé's entire career - from his own early compositions ("A Stranger in Town") to his arrangements of Rodgers and Hart classics ("Mountain Greenery," "Blue Moon"), Cole Porter ("Just One of Those Things") and the Gershwins ("Isn't It Romantic?"). The Billy Stritch trio will be part of the evening.

Billy Stritch is one of the premier singer-pianists on the New York and national jazz and cabaret scene.

His new concert act “Billy Stritch sings the Mel Tormé Songbook” earned rave reviews from the New York music critics. Rex Reed of The Observer called it “an eclectic and thrilling set that is guaranteed to sent you into orbit” while The New York Times called it “a loving, carefully researched tribute from one singer to another.” He has recorded this music on a new CD entitled “Billy Stritch Sings Mel Tormé” which is available at his website billystritch.com or digitally through iTunes.

Billy has appeared in cabaret venues across the nation as well as concert performances at the London Palladium, NHK Hall in Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro’s Municipale Auditorium.

In New York, he has performed at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall and originated the role of Oscar the rehearsal pianist in the 2001 Broadway revival of “42nd Street.”

Billy is also a songwriter and arranger, and his composition “Does He Love You” was recorded by Reba McEntire and Linda Davis. The single reached the number one spot on the Billboard Country chart, winning a Grammy Award and selling over five million copies along the way. Billy has also written music for theater and for The Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

He has arranged for many top performers and is a frequent collaborator with Liza Minnelli, having most recently overseen the music for her smash five-week Broadway show “Liza’s at the Palace” which won the 2009 Tony Award. Currently recorded for DVD and a PBS Special, Billy continues to tour with Liza.

Billy has played and sung on numerous television shows including “The Rosie O’Donnell Show”, “Oprah”, “The CBS Morning Show”, “The Today Show” and “Inside The Actor’s Studio”. He is the winner of the Nashville Music City News Award, a BMI Song of the Year Award, and six awards from the Manhattan Association of Clubs and Cabarets including Male Vocalist of 2007 and Major Artist of 2009 with Klea Blackhurst. Other recordings include a CD of Brazilian music entitled “Waters of March” and “Dreaming of a Song: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael” with Klea Blackhurst. Frequently in concert with friend Christine Ebersole, they have multiple CD’s: “Sunday In New York” and “In Your Dreams” both available on Ghostlight Records.

Hilary Kole of Billy Stritch & Friends

Hilary Kole co-created and originated the lead female roles in the critically acclaimed, award winning Off-Broadway musicals, "Our Sinatra." (2000 MAC Award) and "Singing Astaire."

Ms. Kole has been hailed by critics as a "musical marvel!" (Rex Reed, New York Observer.) In reviewing Kole's performance in the New York Times, Stephen Holden wrote, "swinging...sultry....sexy with a sharp-edged hint of brass in her voice...Kole locates the desperation and impatience lurking in Cole Porter's besotted lyrics." And Robert Daniels from Daily Variety said "Kole is quite the prettiest young thrush on the club circuit...it's torch singing at its apex."

Hilary has appeared at the famed Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel, made her concert hall debut at Lincoln Center as part of the "American Songbook Series” and appeared at Carnegie Hall during a Tribute to Oscar Peterson. In the past year, Hilary had the honor of recording with Jazz legands Oscar Peterson and Hank Jones, as well as master composer, Michel LeGrand.

Hilary Kole is thrilled to join Billy Stritch and Friends, in this Swingin’ Salute to Mel Torme.

Johnny Rodgers of Billy Stritch & Friends

Johnny Rodgers an award winning singer-songwriter-pianist is a favorite in the New York and East coast performance scenes – and is quickly creating fans around the world. Johnny’s original songs satiate the sophisticated palate - bubbly and romantic pop ballads, Taylor-laced melodies, and sultry jazz all stirred with piano driven rock. Johnny Rodgers pleases not only with his original songs but also his boy-next-door charm and creamy, dreamy crooner’s voice. Praised by Rex Reed as “a finger popping pianist and a terrific singer with range and style,” Rodgers was a 2008 winner of Billboard's World Song Contest and the ASCAP Foundation Jamie deRoy & friends award.

Liza Minnelli discovered Rodgers and brought him on as her pianist and guest performer for her world tours, recently debuting on Broadway in the Tony Award winning Liza’s At The Palace. He is also seen on both the DVD and PBS Special of this show. Johnny's debut CD Box of Photographs earned him instant acclaim.

Johnny received rave reviews for his contribution to Billy Stritch & Friends Swingin Salute to Mel and is excited to join this fantastic team on the road.

La Tanya Hall of Billy Stritch & Friends

If one word could be used to describe La Tanya Hall’s talent, it would have to be diverse. Her versatility in a variety of musical genres has allowed her to travel the world and work with some of the world’s most celebrated artists, including Diana Ross, Harry Belafonte, Aretha Franklin and Patti Labelle. She is also an in-demand session singer and an accomplished actress, having lent her skills to numerous recording projects, Broadway shows and television and movie appearances.

More recently, she has appeared with an equally diverse range of musical icons: the master of the Great American Songbook, Michael Feinstein; the pop star and producer Steve Tyrell; and the boundary-less vocal avatar Bobby McFerrin. She has toured with Steve Tyrell extensively in 2007 and 2008, including spots on The Today Show and The Tonight Show, and much-heralded gigs at New York’s famous Blue Note and a 9-week run at the Carlyle. She is also heard on his most recent recording, Back To Bacharach. For the last three years she has been a regular part of Mr. Feinstein’s annual Christmas show at the night club that bears his name at the Regency Hotel.

Latanya is excited to perform with Billy Stritch and Friends celebrating the great songs of Mr. Torme.