It was a Monday night in Maryland and I was visiting my daughter Jolie when I witnessed a television phenomenon. It reminded me of the ancient television days when friends and neighbors gathered in one home to sit in front of a television set to watch “The Milton Berle Show.” Three generations of otherwise bright ladies sat in front of the television at Jolie’s home to watch “The Bachelorette”! Every female vocally suggested her male contestant and made many comments on her choice. For two hours of what seemed like idiocy to me, the audience was totally engrossed in the ridiculous competition. Here was a program supposedly trying to match one very beautiful young woman with her Prince Charming. This was indeed an updated, distorted Cinderella story. The goal was marriage, with no attention given to finances, religion or sex. Yet there they sat, several bright, articulate women ranging from 18 to 80, obviously hardcore fans, totally engrossed in the phony entertainment provided by “The Bachelorette.” I’ll bet they were sad when the selection was made and the program was over. ‘Twas a puzzlement to me!
92nd Street Y’s Kaufmann Concert Hall is a New York gem. The room itself with its original walnut paneling serves as a lush canvas for the gold-etched names of great leaders, writers and philosophers. The first concert I attended there was in July 1985. The series was “Jazz in July” and I thoroughly enjoyed the excellent acoustics for the live musical performances. This past July at the 92Y included a jazz piano master class, the songs of Jerome Kern and an evening of ballads and blues. I loved it all. If you don’t want to wait until 2011 “Jazz in July,” there is another series called “Lyrics and Lyricists.” That one doesn’t begin until January 2011. It’s the country’s premier American Songbook concert series. Some of the finest artists from Broadway, jazz and cabaret share their talents in celebrating what I think of as the great American art form. Of the five concerts one that I particularly look forward to is on January 8, 9 and 10, when the legendary jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli celebrates his 85th birthday. Actually, each concert will feature wonderful music performed by the best musicians around. The Concert Hall has a seating capacity of 905 and is usually fully attended. So-o, if this kind of entertainment sends you, check out the 92Y. Where is it located? Lexington Avenue and, you guessed it, 92nd Street.
The lucky citizens of Bayonne were treated this past summer to “Summer Sounds by the Bay” concert series. We were invited to seven free concerts on Wednesdays and they were all most enjoyable (even though Pete Amadeo verbally booked the Bayonne Senior Orchestra – and then reneged!). But his past July and August, I also became aware of our neighbor, Jersey City. Their “Summerfest Concerts on the Hudson” offered ten concerts – Sundays and Tuesdays. I’m sure you know about Liberty State Park, a green oasis over 1,212 acres in the middle of Jersey City. My New York sophisticated friends, Sandy and Bob, were delighted by the spacious dramatic park with its spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline – the gateway to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The concerts took place in the beautiful gardens behind the Liberty House Restaurant. The waterside restaurant is a 14,000 square foot venue where we enjoyed fine fish, first-rate service, plus the jumping concert. In fact, we were able to enjoy dessert outside at comfortable tables and chairs. So put all this fine music on your 2011 summer calendar. You can enjoy concerts (dancing is encouraged, too) Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays and it’s all free! P.S. The parking for the Jersey City concert and/or Liberty House Restaurant is also free. No, the food and drinks are not. Sorry!
Bayonne was so lucky in 1944 when a lady from Philadelphia came to town to marry her Doctor Joe. The lady was Ruth Preminger, a smart, involved citizen of our city. There’s only one drawback – she’s not musical. Oh yes, she can dance, but can she play a musical instrument? No! However, she’s more than made up for that by having a super musical grandson, Noah Preminger. Recently we braved the Lincoln Tunnel to get to the luxury New York hotel, The Kitano (66 Park Avenue), to hear The Noah Preminger Quartet. It was an all-star group including Frank Kimbrough (piano), Cecil McBee (bass) and Billy Hart (drums). The young tenor saxophonist deserves all the plaudits he received from the jazz world and of course from his proud grandma. All the critics agree that Noah is an exceptional artist who performs gracefully and with care. Currently the handsome young Preminger plays all over the world to huge applause. I felt lucky that we were able to enjoy him in New York City.