Jane Scheckter is a Springfield, MA born-and-raised talent. Her dad was a well known harmonica player. Her mom was my 4th grade teacher. Jane was one of the first free-spirits I knew growing up in the area. When I worked for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, we had a summer pops concert series at Stanley Park in Westfield. I recommended a series that showcased local talent who had moved on. Jane performed an evening of pops standards before 5,000 people. She won the crowd over. I've seen her subsequently in a cabaret venue where she belongs, because she's dazzling to watch and hear in an intimate setting. If you're in NYC, she's worth a listen. The Metropolitan Room is a great club.
JANE SCHECKTER
PLAY A SIMPLE MELODY
A Tribute to Irving Berlin
“Invaluable musical skill. A bright, clear voice with a brassy edge and a luscious, rounded vibrato. Meticulous phrasing, a sultry lower register...and she swings!”
Stephen Holden, NY Times, May 9, 2008
Metropolitan Room at Gotham
Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 7:00
Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 7:30
Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 7:00
Sunday, Sept. 13 at 7:00
Tedd Firth, Musical Director
Tom Hubbard, Bass
Peter Grant, Drums
New York: Acclaimed jazz stylist Jane Scheckter will make her Metropolitan Room debut with her all new show, “Play A Simple Melody — A Tribute to Irving Berlin,” with four shows only on Tuesday, Sept. 1, Wednesday, Sept. 2, Tuesday, Sept. 8 and Sunday, Sept 13. All shows are at 7:00 except Sept. 2 which is at 7:30. Tedd Firth will be musical director with Tom Hubbard on bass and Peter Grant on drums. Metropolitan Room at Gotham is located at 34 West 22nd Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues.) There will be a $20 music charge and a two drink minimum. Discounts for MAC, NYSMS and Cabaret Hotline. Reservations: (212) 206 0440.
As in the past, Jane Scheckter will not be doing a biographical show. Her new show will focus on the music and lyrics; songs that have special meaning to her. Along the way, she will share a bevy of anecdotes from Irving Berlin's amazing career and personal life. She said, “The title is totally misleading because nothing about the man or his music was simple. As Jerome Kern wrote, “ Berlin has no place in American music; he is American music.”
The program will feature many popular Berlin hits as well as some surprises gleaned from Broadway, Hollywood musicals and his lesser know works such as “The Best Thing For You,” “Fella With An Umbrella” and “Falling Out Of Love Can Be Fun.” Ms. Scheckter also noted, “ The fascinating thing about Irving Berlin is how a school dropout (at thirteen,) could emerge as one of our greatest composers ranking alongside Gershwin, Porter, Kern and Rodgers in sophistication, style and versatility.” It will all be enhanced to the fullest by Tedd Firth's swing arrangements with his trio which has been referred to as, “ ... one of the strongest trios in cabaret.”
Starting in New York, Jane Scheckter has performed in many leading night clubs and concert halls around the world including Los Angeles, Paris and regularly on the French Riviera. She appeared in “Our Sinatra” with Peter Cincotti and was a guest soloist with the Springfield (Mass.) Symphony Pops Orchestra with Mike Renzi and Chip Jackson. She regularly headlines at Hotel Majestic at Cannes in their “Jazz Nights” series. She began her career singing backup vocals on Barry Manilow's first album and was a regular at Reno Sweeny's and Grand Finale. She was honored with a Back Stage Bistro Award as Outstanding Female Jazz Singer in 1996 and has recorded three albums, “I've Got My Standards” and “Double Standards” with Mike Renzi for DRG. Her 2003 CD, “In Times Like These” features Tedd Firth, Jay Leonhart, Joe Cocuzzo, Grady Tate and Scott Kreitzer.
On the web, www.singjanesing.com.
For information or press reservations, please contact Donald Schaffer at (212) 946 1265 or DSPR@nyc.rr.com.
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