Where Has the Time All Gone To?

It has been a whirlwind of a week for your Redheads. First we had Miss Laurel’s gig at Birdland, which was a smash hit. Many thanks to Jim Caruso, who wins our vote for the coolest guy in show biz, Sean Corcoran who made it all look and sound pretty, and the Birdland staff, especially James the bartender who kept Miss Wendy Lane supplied with diet cokes throughout! Tuesday was Bistro Award night, where Laurel was awarded the 2009 Bistro for best Jazz Vocalist, and we got to see Liza with a Z, Charles Aznavour and various and sundry other show folk. After that the rest of the week was spent hard at work on a few new projects we have in the works. We’ll be spilling the details on those in the coming weeks and months, but for now here are a few shots from Monday’s Birdland show.

Laurel & the Band
Rich De Rosa (Drums), Steve La Spina (Bass), Tex Arnold (Musical Director, piano)

Laurel & Broadcast Legend Joe Franklin

Laurel with Composer Larry Kerchner, Joe Franklin, & Annette Costa

The photos were all taken by Wendy Lane, who despite her nifty Armani Cocktail dress forgot to get herself into any of the shots. No worries though, we’ll have some of her after her performance for the Colleen Giblin Foundation this coming Thursday (details about that may be found under Where In the World are the Redheads to the right of this column).

Monday! Monday!

The only thing blue about this Monday was the nine foot electric blue Bosendorfer that shared the stage with Miss. Laurel as she warbled away at NYC's famed Birdland. The other half of your flame haired duo Miss. Wendy Lane worked the other side of the footlights on this one as creative collaborator. Here are a few pix of our grand adventure in the Land of Bird....

Your Redheads...We're a little dazed, slightly confused...but thoroughly thrilled!

Laurel with He Who Does it All, Jim Caruso

Laurel and the too marvelous for words Julie Wilson

Many thanks to the music makers who shared the stage with Miss. L, Tex Arnold who piloted the Bosendorfer, Rich DeRosa on drums, and Mike Finck on Bass. Thanks to Jim Caruso for being the most gracious host we could possibly ask for (and for providing the photos of Wendy Lane and Julie). To Sean Corcoran who ran lights and sound, and the rest of the wonderful Birdland staff you have our undying gratitude. Finally, a virtual hug and kiss to all of you who came out to share the evening with us, it could not be done with out you!

Proust The Musical Part II - Starring Jim Caruso

As we mentioned in our previous post we are devoted fans of Jim Caruso. Jim is a performer, producer, writer, and all round entertainment mogul. When he's not traveling the globe to perform with Liza Minnelli he can be found every Monday night running the show at Birdland's Jim Caruso's Cast Party. In addition to his many other accomplishments he is the award winning creator and producer of the Broadway at Birdland series. In an effort to discover more about the man of many chapeaus that is Jim we decided to give him our Musical Questionnaire....

The Questionnaire

Starring Jim Caruso

What is your current State of Mind?

Pleasantly confused

What was the first song you ever performed in public?

Three Little Fishies on The Ricky & Copper Show, WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA

What was the first musical act you ever saw in person?

My parents took me to The Holiday House in Pittsburgh to see Ben Vereen's nightclub act. It changed my life. He wore a brown jumpsuit with puffy white sleeves, sang and danced “Magic To Do.” I almost wet my pants. I also remember going to The Americana Hotel in NYC to see Phyllis Newman, and I got her autograph.

What is your idea of perfect musical happiness?

James Taylor singing Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

What do you regard as the lowest depth of musical misery?

German Oom-pah Band/Autoharp

Name three composers you wish would write a song for you?

Jimmy Webb, Adam Guettel, Maltby & Shire

What virtue do you consider essential for every musician?

Senses of swing and humor

What Profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Architect. It just sounds cool, and you get to wear interesting eyeglasses.

What profession would you not like to attempt?

Proctologist

What is your greatest extravagance?

Ralph Lauren

Who are your heroes in real life?

Tom Viola for his tireless work at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

Robert Kennedy, Jr. for his environmental crusade

Kay Thompson for coaching every performer I love and jazzing up the sound of the movies

Thank you Jim for taking a minute to answer our questions, and we give you our solemn vow not to bring our autoharps to Cast Party. For the complete info on Jim you can visit his website at http://www.jim-caruso.com/. It's a great site and has more photos like the one above from our favorite photog Bill Westmoreland.

Post your own answers to the questionnaire in our comments section and you could win a free ticket to see Laurel Masse' at Birdland on September 15th. If you aren't in the NYC area don't that stop you we'll send you a CD if your entry is chosen. All answers need to reach us by September 10th.