"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.
