JAZZ & COCKTAILS Announces Top Cabaret Artists

"Jazz & Cocktails" - the only weekly column in the SF Bay Area devoted to cabaret & nightlife - announced its Top 2010 Artists in a variety of categories. Found in the GLBT weekly paper San Francisco Bay Times, "Jazz & Cocktails - the Lush Cabaret Life" is written by Mike Ward, a Bay Area director/choreographer and arts feature writer. A Facebook presence exists for the column, as does Twitter: LushCabaretLife.

Quite a few Broadway names appear on the list: Liz & Ann Hampton Callaway, Christine Ebersole, Sam Harris, Karen Mason, Janis Paige, Valarie Pettiford & Chita Rivera.

Based on approximately 120 shows seen in 2010, the list also includes three names to watch on the Bay Area scene for 2011: Carly Ozard, who brings her Freddie Mercury Tribute Show, Somebody to Love, to Don't Tell Mama Feb. 25; Amanda King, who captivated crowds and NY Times Cabaret critic Stephen Holden at last year's New York Cabaret Convention; and Veronica Klaus.

A number of categories had several artists worthy of recognition. Ward intentionally chose "Top" over "Best" as several artists were beyond comparison in a "Best Of" paradigm. Here is the Top 2010 list, broken into genres, with a little about each artist:
 
Top 2010 Comedy:
· Judy Tenuta. What's not to love about this accordion-wielding snark-alicious petite flower-face? Judy's new radio talkshow kept her act topical & doubly-abreast of fresh-news road-kill up & down the infotainment super-highway food-chain.

· Michele Balan. Though on a double-bill, her set was the solo hit, a master-class of timing, pacing & structure, giving us a full-laugh-spectrum from giggle to guffaw, chortle to big-bellied.

· "Varla Jean & the Mushroomheads." Take a Mix-Master, add "School House Rock," "Josie & the Pussycats," psychedelics, a few STDs, plenty of cocktails & sparkly, brightly-colored costumes & props, hit frappe 'til frothy & laugh heartily. Varla Jean Merman is one funny lady, man.

· Leslie Jordan. Wind him up & let him go. The combo of Southern Gothic insanity & Show Biz back-talk from a former addict/alcoholic is a sure-fire combo for big-time funny.

Top 2010 Drag:
· Courtney Act. While interviewing Chita Rivera, Chita extemporaneously expounded upon Courtney's star-power (they met while entertaining a gay cruise). When Chita speaks, take note. Act's act is illusion perfection: all notions of she being a he vanished. Act gives Britney, Christina & Gaga (to whom Courtney gave a birthday lap-dance) a serious run for their money. RRazz is bringing her back. Go. Twice. Three times for this lady-boy.
· Katya Smirnoff-Skyy. Her Beatles show was a revelation of musical, comedic & story-telling skills. Her character (only just over 5 years-young) has such a solid backstory that at times this crazy Countess' bio seems nearly plausible in a madcap Auntie-Mame-Goes-Operatic-Diva sort of way. Much to love in this Chernobylesque Chanteuse. RussianOperaDiva.com

Top 2010 Tribute Show:
· Arnaldo! Drag Chanteuse (A!DC). A!DC's "C'est Si Bon" Eartha Kitt tribute left me wanting more... in a good way. Well-structured, lovingly presented, concise while comprehensive, and, like it's subject, elegant, sexy, smart & multilingual.

· Carly Ozard. "Somebody to Love" - This is tendered with a full-disclosure. I consulted Ozard on her Freddie Mercury tribute, but Ozard earned the kudos fully above-board. With this show, Ozard steps up the ranks considerably. Exceptional musical backing & a great dual-track story personalized her connection while praising her subject. CarlyOzard.com

· Russ Lorenson. "Benedetto/Blessed," Lorenson's homage to Tony Bennett, had much to love. Lorenson's voice hits the same thrilling timbres as his subject, not impersonating Bennett, but bringing his own artistry to the party. A relaxed, conversational style kept the facts engaging & a killer combo of all-star jazz artists. RussLorenson.com

· Wesla Whitfield (with Mike Greensill Trio) "We're in the Money - Songs from the Movies"- a delightful tribute celebrating celluloid in Oscar-worthy style, spooling out tunes from the silver screen as only this gifted artist can. Incandescent.

· Deana Martin - "Dina Sings Dino: Memories Are Made of This" (this didn't make it to the print or web versions, but it deserves to be on this list). Slick, sleek, heartfelt & damned fun, with a stunning back-up band among the best.
 
Top 2010 Guest Artist:
The exquisite sounds of normally-classical cellist Emil Miland added colors of expression to Lua Hadar's Bliss Bar jazz/cabaret show. Delicious beyond words.

Top Duos of 2010:
· Liz Callaway & Ann Hampton Callaway: Genetics are a plus, but only a smidgen of what made this sister act heavenly.

· Cheryl Bentyne & Mark Winkler: These two blend beautifully & are among the finest in the art of West Coast Cool jazz.

Top 2010 Jazz Vocalists:
· Diane Schuur tore the roof off, channeling something far greater than anyone could put their finger on. Astounding.

· Paula West (with the George Mesterhazy Quartet) was sublime, a dream of an evening. I'm thrilled to say she's returning for an 8-week run at RRazz beginning late January.

Top 2010 Headliners:
· Christine Ebersole: Wit, charm, humor & a widely-expressive instrument combined for what was one of the most exquisite cabaret events.

· Sam Harris: I saw Sam thrice during his RRazz run, each performance felt as though seeing it the first time. Connecting to audiences with dynamite synergy from accompanist/ music director Todd Schroeder, Sam is well beyond the rainbow - he's the pot of gold.

· Liz Callaway: A lyric elevates, shimmers, revealing new emotional breadth with her artistry. Astounding. (for her JCC Sondheim tribute show).

· Karen Mason: Incandescent. Piercing. Mesmerizing. I'm a new fan.

· Chita Rivera: When someone's artistry continues to refine much as a great armagnac does, the experience is heady, intoxicating, alluring - all distilled in one gorgeous decanter.

· Janis Paige: Her life & career defied categorizing. Her artistry, at age 88, cannot be contained in an avalanche of superlatives. I'll use one: Sublime.

Top Original of 2010:

· Valarie Pettiford: This divine creature's program of all-original material by masterful music-makers Ron Abel & Chuck Steffan made completely new music feel like beloved long-time favorites. Kudos to these three.

· Denise Perrier: I had the honor of hearing this exceptional artist at Yoshi's. Originality is in the singularity of her instrument. Other artists you can hear definite influences. Ms. Perrier is incomparable.

Top Special Event 2010:

The Angela Bofill Experience featured The Angel of the Night narrating her life with courage, humility & humor. An all-star group of musicians blew the roof off the RRazz Room: Phil Perry, Maysa, Dave Valentin, Kevin Walker, Kim Waters, Norm Connors & more.

A nod to C.O.O.L. Cabaret Festival, focused on local talent. Much to love about this ambitious festival, which could well be a yearly event.

Top Presenter 2010:
Marilyn Levinson of Bay Area Cabaret, who reopened the iconic Venetian Room (a major cap-feather!) this year. Marilyn also started the visionary series "BAC 2.0" for the Next Generation of Cabaret-Goers.

Top 2011 SF Watch List:
· Amanda King
· Veronica Klaus
· Carly Ozard
Three very different artists with one thing in common: Talent.
 
"Jazz & Cocktails" can be found at SFBayTimes.com or on Facebook under "Jazz & Cocktails - the Lush Cabaret Life."

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos