JIM CARUSO'S CAST PARTY IS DELIGHTED TO PRESENT THE AARON WEINSTEIN TRIO to the Broadway at Birdland concert series on Monday, January 4 at 7pm.

Tony Bennett calls him “the Groucho of the violin!”  Aaron Weinstein and his violin have been making waves in the jazz world since the age of sixteen, when he started touring with guitarist/singer John Pizzarelli.  In his Birdland concert debut, he will perform songs from the Great American Songbook, including “Somebody Loves Me,” “Jeepers Creepers,” “I Won't Dance,” “Cheek to Cheek,” “Last Night When We Were Young” and “A Sleepin Bee.”  Aaron’s very special guest will be singer Janis Siegel, of The Manhattan Transfer.

Named a “rising star violinist” by Downbeat Magazine, Aaron Weinstein is quickly earned a reputation as one of the finest jazz violinists of his generation.  As a featured soloist, Aaron has performed at Lincoln Center, Wolftrap for the Performing Arts, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, the JVC Jazz Festival, Birdland, Iridium and Django Reinhardt festivals in France, Iceland and New York City.  Aaron has performed and recorded with an array of jazz masters including Howard Alden, Gene Bertoncini, Al Caiola, Scott Hamilton, Dick Hyman, Les Paul, Houston Person, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli, Annie Ross, Warren Cache, Frank Vignola and Claude “Fiddler” Williams as well as legendary rock guitarist Jay Geils, and New York Pops founder/conductor Skitch Henderson.  He’s a recent graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he was awarded a full four-year talent-based scholarship.  While still in high school, he founded New Trier High School’s Stephane Grappelli Tribute Trio, voted as the nation’s Best High School Instrumental Jazz Group by Downbeat Magazine.  With the release of Aaron’s Arbors Records debut, “A Handful of Stars,” (called “the rebirth of the hot jazz violin” by Nat Hentoff), Aaron has become the youngest jazz musician to record as leader for this prestigious traditional jazz record label.

THE AARON WEINSTEIN TRIO WITH SPECIAL GUEST JANIS SIEGEL

WHEN: Monday, January 4th at 7pm
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
TICKETS: $25 and $35, with $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com

THEN...

Jim Caruso’s Cast Party is delighted to welcome international star of stage and screen Caroline O’Connor to the Broadway at Birdland series on January 17 at 7pm.

Hailed by the New York Post as “a major discovery for New York theatergoers,” Caroline will bring her intoxicating blend of rich vocals and bewitching tales to the Birdland stage in this rare, intimate night of unforgettable cabaret.  This special evening will feature musical theatre classics by Kander and Ebb, Jerry Herman, Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein, and pay homage to some of Caroline’s inspirational ladies of song - Judy Garland, Edith Piaf, Ethel Merman and more.

As Nini in Baz Luhrmann's Oscar-winning film “Moulin Rouge,” and Ethel Merman in the Cole Porter bio-pic “De-Lovely,” Caroline came to the attention of audiences all over the world.  Having won accolades across three continents for her dramatic and comedic stage performances, Caroline is one of the most sought after musical theatre performers treading the boards of Broadway, the West End, the Royal Albert Hall and Sydney Opera House.  Her signature stage roles include Edith Piaf in Piaf, Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow, Velma Kelly in Chicago, Anita in West Side Story and Mabel in Mack & Mabel.  Caroline has released four solo CDs and appeared on numerous cast recordings.

The Girl From Oz: An Evening With Caroline O’Connor
Musical Director and Arranger: Daniel Edmonds; Bass: Tom Hubbard; Sax & Woodwind: Barrie Shaw; Drums: Ray Marchica

WHEN: Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
TICKETS: $30 and $40, with $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com

CELEBRATE NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH CHRISTINE LAVIN, Megon McDonough & friends in the comfort of your own cozy home.  Performing in front of a live Chicago audience tonight in the studios of WFMT-FM, the concert will be streamed live at www.wfmt.org from 11:00 PM – 2:15 AM (Eastern time) with Rich Warren on his award-winning program “The Midnight Special.”    Christine will be singing a lot of songs, including two of her scrumptious “recipe” tunes – both recipes are posted at her website www.christinelavin.com -- so don’t just listen, you Type-A personalites – now you can bake along with your radio!

SOMETHING FRESH TO START THE NEW YEAR!!! 4 PERFORMANCES ONLY!!! Drama Desk Nominee and star of Songs From An Unmade Bed, Michael Winther teams up with the dynamic, acclaimed, jazz pianist, Dan Tepfer (2006 Montreux Solo Jazz Piano Winner and 2007-2009 Cole Porter Fellow in Jazz) for a unique set of well-known standards, as well as contemporary popular songs that explores the intersection between jazz improvisation, musical theatre and popular music. “A first-rate singing actor, Mr. Winther’s singing is strong but refined, with perfect intonation and a warm sound that becomes incandescent when he raises the volume.” (Stephen Holden, The New York Times) “He sings like a dream…” (Frank Rizzo, Variety) PERFORMANCES: Monday, January 4th, 7:00pm; Sunday, January 10th, 9:30pm; Monday, January 11th, 9:30pm & Sunday, January 17th, 7:00pm. Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., bet. 5th and 6th Avenue. TICKETS: 212-206-0440 or www.metropolitanroom.com

GET A SPECIAL OFFER TO FINIAN'S RAINBOW, New York City Center Encores! Sold-out Smash Hit is Coming to Broadway! Tony Award® winner Jim Norton (The Seafarer) stars as the loveable Finian, with Kate Baldwin (Wonderful Town) as his plucky daughter Sharon, Cheyenne Jackson (Xanadu) as Woody, the boy who falls under her spell and Christopher Fitzgerald (Young Frankenstein) as Og the leprechaun. To learn more, please click: http://www.FiniansOnBroadway.com. Now thru January 31, 2010 Use code FRMKT85 at Broadwayoffers.com for discount tickets! : Tues-Thurs. $69 (reg. $122); Fri-Sun $85 (reg. $127). Click here to purchase your tickets now; call 212-947-8844 and mention code FRMKT85, click here, print out the coupon and bring to the St. James Theatre box office, 246 West 44th St.

INTERNET SENSATION MIRANDA SINGS is proud to announce the release of her four-song holiday EP called, appropriately, “Christmas With Miranda Sings.” The songs are available for purchase digitally through www.MirandaSingsChristmas.com. The dazzling diva has put her rather unique spin on Christmas favorites “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer,” “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” and the haunting “Carol Of The Bells,” which she sings with herself. Miranda’s current YouTube video, created as an infomercial promoting the new recording, already has over 30,000 views! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY8D-prWXG4)

IN 1987 ON THE SUNSET STRIP, A SMALL TOWN GIRL MET A BIG CITY ROCKER and in LA’s most legendary rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the ‘80s. Coming to Broadway March 17, 2009 is ROCK OF AGES, an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Reo Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and many more. Don’t miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on.

JIM CARUSO…THE PARTY CONTINUES ON CD: Caruso: Live and In Person, with Billy Stritch on piano. "Jim is funny, facile and fabulous! He performs with charm, wit and style, and is vastly entertaining." -- Michael Feinstein. "A cabaret-lover's dream!" -- Chip Deffaa, New York Post. "An unbeatable act of jazz, pop, comedy and conversation that is different from anything else in town." -- Rex Reed, New York Observer. "This impish, twinkling-eyed performer exudes the buoyant spirits of a conetmporary vaudevillian…with an extremely tart lemon tucked firmly in his cheek." -- Stephen Holden, New York Times.

STEVE DOYLE, THE CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA BASS PLAYER, has been an active part of the jazz and cabaret scene in New York for the past 18 years, performing with many internationally renowned artists including Bucky Pizzarelli, Billy Stritch, Tony Desare, Rigmor Gustafssen, Klea Blackhurst, Hilary Kole, Dave Stryker, Steve Slagle, Christine Ebersole, Pekka Pylkannen, Stephanie Block, K.T. Sullivan, Emily Skinner, Freddie Bryant, Marilyn Maye, Lari White and many others. Get the full scoop and check out his 1997 CD, Presence, at www.stevedoyle.com.

TEDD FIRTH, OF THE CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, is a New York City based accompanist, jazz pianist and arranger. He has accompanied many renowned artists, including Lee Ann Womack, Faith Prince, Tom Wopat, Margaret Whiting, Maureen McGovern and Marilyn Maye. Among the jazz musicians he has worked with are John Pizzarelli, Houston Person, Benny Golson and Joe Morello. Mr. Firth's New York appearances include the Blue Note, Birdland, the Iridium, the Algonquin, the Rainbow Room, Carnegie Hall, and the Russian Tea Room. Tedd's arrangements have been performed by the Philadelphia Pops and the Ocean City Pops. Find him on MySpace Music at www.myspace.com/teddfirth.

BILLY STRITCH'S WATERS OF MARCH: THE BRAZILIAN ALBUM: "...Stritch imaginatively captures the magic of the bossa nova rhythm on some terrific cuts, including three by Brazilian music icon Antonio Carlos Jobim. Of these, probably the most memorable is "Someone to Light Up My Life," which most Americans first heard on Sarah Vaughan's legendary Brazilian album. Here Stritch captures the simple sensitivity and all the yearning poignancy the composer had in mind when he first penned it. Sergio Mendez's "So Many Stars" takes you on an indolent, dreamy, and gentle journey...[Stritch's] phrasings and delicate nuances are so insightful that the album becomes a powerful musical statement with many subtle, yet potent, moments." -- John Hoglund, Backstage. The CD and all things Billy Stritch are at www.billystritch.com.

TRAVERSE CITY WEB DESIGN - BRINGING YOU THIS VERY CAST PARTY NEWSLETTER, offers a full line of web design and online marketing services. We have a wide range of packages and services ideal for entertainers and performers - from one-page "portfolio" sites, to press kits, to full online archives, we can create and host a site that's perfect for you. We also offer marketing services, such as online mass mailings, and can help maximize your site's presence in search engines. Friends & family discount! Mention the Cast Party Newsletter and receive 10% off. Get online with us!

KEN KLEIBER'S OFFERING VIDEOGRAPHY SERVICES. You have the talent, you booked the room and the crowds came. But what about that sought-after agent who was escorting his star client to a premiere? Or that family member who got stuck out-of-town due to inclement weather? Or that best friend who got the 24-hour flu? They can all re-live your shining performance through the magic of digital video. Videographer Ken Kleiber (host of TV, internet & radio’s "That’s Kentertainment!") not only interviews the stars, he films them too. With over 6 years of videotaping experience, Ken has filmed hundreds of hours of cabarets, concerts, live theatre, dance recitals, comedy sets, interviews, on-tape auditions, parties and more. For more information on Ken’s videotaping, copying and transferring services, please contact Ken at kentertain@yahoo.com. Don’t let that once-in-a-lifetime moment be…just once!

LIZA'S AT THE PALACE...THE 2-CD SET! Two years of touring with the incomparable Liza Minnelli resulted in a triumphant run of Liza's At The Palace at The Palace Theatre. Check out the website for beautiful video footage, photos, and the brand-new 2-CD set of this unforgettable show. The first act is pure Liza at the top of her form, and the second act celebrates the late, extremely great Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers' historic nightclub act that took the world by storm in the late 40's. Cortés Alexander, Johnny Rodgers, Tiger Martina and I worked hard to approximate the blend and unique sound that Bob, Dick, Don and Andy Williams brought to Kay's ingenius vocal arrangements. With old pal Billy Stritch at the piano, this project was an absolute dream come true! Hurry to: LizasAtThePalace.com for an exclusive preview of the 2-CD set available at The Palace Theater, online and in stores.

SQUIGS DRAWS THE STARS. Justin 'Squigs' Robertson is quickly becoming known far and wide for capturing show biz folk in pen and ink. He loves sushi. His favorite song is 'It's Only A Paper Moon'. And he genuflects upon merely hearing the name of Al Hirschfeld. His whimsical illustration and design is aided and abetted by his parallel career onstage. Squigs is currently posting a fresh weekly sketch or two celebrating the American theatre on his Facebook page, 'Squigs Knows His Lines.' Drop by and become a fan. You can also visit Squigs' website for a look at his take on such talented friends of Cast Party as Jeff Blumenkrantz, Julia Murney, Christine Ebersole, Victoria Clark, Kelli O'Hara, Bob Martin and Liza Minnelli. www.squigsink.com. Visit Squigs on Facebook, too!

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