Steve Ross Presents PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ... THE MUSIC OF FRED ASTAIRE, 1/12 & 1/13

Manhattan based singer/pianist Steve Ross brings his critically acclaimed Puttin' on the Ritz... The Music of Fred Astaire to Vitello's Upstairs Jazz and Supper Club located in the trendy Tujunga Village of Studio City, CA for two performances only: Saturday, January 12; and Sunday, January 13, 2013.

Ross, who rose to fame as a cabaret entertainer during his lengthy sojourns at New York's fabled Algonquin Hotel and Ted Hook's Backstage in the late 1970's, has spent the ensuing decades singing and playing in smart clubs all over the world: The Ritz in London, the Hôtel de Crillonin Paris and the Imperial Hotel Tokyo; in addition to festivals in Hong Kong, Perth and Spoleto are but a few highlights on six continents. On the airwaves, Ross has been the performer/host for radio series for both the BBC and National Public Radio. He was voted Outstanding Singer-Instrumentalist by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and continues to tour in concert; with master classes; theatrical engagements; and symphonic Pop orchestra appearances.

According to press notes from the industry newspaper Variety, Ross' Puttin' on the Ritz: The Music of Fred Astaire weaves together a string of over two dozen songs from Gershwin, Porter, Berlin, Kern and Arthur Schwartz. Many anecdotes and/or observations center on Astaire and the songwriters and the dance partners; especially Astaire's sister Adele, who was initially thought to be the star of Astaire's act.

Astaire came along, at just the right time to personally benefit from the great American Songbook. As his career was about to take off, he befriended a similarly one-of-a-kind young composer named George Gershwin. Their 1924 musical, "Lady Be Good," immediately and permanently established both Fred Astaire and George Gershwin as top musical comedy talents.

Astaire's increasing stardom quickly attracted projects and songs from Gershwin's worthy peers: Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Jerome Kern. Frank Sinatra and Al Jolson might have been stronger singers, but they never had composers of this caliber writing songs to order.

Ross' gentle vocal style, not unlike that of Astaire, sings from the heart. He also has carte blanche to immerse himself in such dazzling songs as "Fascinating Rhythm," "Puttin' on the Ritz," "They All Laughed, " and "Cheek to Cheek," mixed with "Let's Face the Music and Dance." All of these and more are boosted by the performer's breathtakingly good pianistics.

Ticket prices for Steve Ross' Puttin' on the Ritz: The Music of Fred Astaire are $35 on Saturday, January 12 at 8:00 pm with the dinner seating beginning at 7:00 pm; and $25 on Sunday, January 13 at 7:00 pm with the dinner seating beginning at 5:30 pm.

Tickets may be purchased online at at www.ticketweb.com; or www.vitellosjazz.com. For further information, call Vitello's directly at 818 769-0905. Vitello's Upstairs Jazz and Supper Club is located at 4349 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City, CA 91604. Valet Parking at $3.50 is available.

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