[NEohioPAL] Berk review: Al Jarreau and the Cleveland Orchestra

[Roy Berko]

*Sold out crowd well entertained by Al Jarreau and The Cleveland Orchestra*



Roy Berko

Entertainment Reviewer



Known as “the voice of versatility,” seven time Grammy Award winner Al
Jarreau joined The Cleveland Orchestra, under the baton of Larry Baird, to
energize and please a Severance Hall audience on Sunday evening.



The 72-year old Jarreau, who has been heralded as “one of the world’s
greatest natural resources,” and “the greatest jazz singer alive,” scatted,
crooned, used his voice as a musical instrument, held conversations with
the orchestra, shuffled around the stage, involved the audience in
sing-alongs, and generally had a great time as he let forth with many of
his best selling songs and some Broadway tunes.



Though sometimes hard to hear due to some mic problems in the first act,
and his tendency to speak quietly, it mattered not to his avid fans.



Smiling, with a perky beret perched on his head, he sang stylized versions
of *Bess* and *Summertime* from PORGY AND BESS.  He did his own take on a
medley of songs from WEST SIDE STORY, including *Something’s Coming*, *
Tonight*, *Maria*, *I Feel Pretty* and *America*.  He added his salute to
Broadway by adding songs from THE SOUND OF MUSIC.



Other selections included *Everything in Time* and *God Bless America*.



Baird, with flowing blond hair, and a suede cowboy style jacked, looked
more the leader of a band, rather than a world famous orchestra.  His
informal style well fit the Jarreau style.



The orchestra members, who seemed totally delighted with Jarreau’s
presentation, a departure from their usual repertoire, played with their
expected proficiency, often playing back up to the band, consisting of the
talented Larry Williams (piano), Mark Simmons (drums), and Chris Walker
(bass).



Jarreau even added his political views by commenting that he needed to talk
to “Barack” to make sure that we keep music in the schools.



*Capsule judgement: All-in-all,  the evening was a love-n between Jarreau,
The Cleveland Orchestra, and the sold out audience.*

* *

*JOFFREY BALLET and THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA*



The Cleveland Orchestra and The Joffrey Ballet will perform THE NUTCRACKER,
Tchaikovsky’s magical work, for five performances on November 29 through
December 2 at the State Theatre in Playhouse Square.  For information go to
playhousesquare.org or call 216-241-6000 or 866-546-1353.



*Roy Berko's commentaries and reviews appear on coolcleveland.com,
neohiopal.com,artsamerica.org,*

*and broadwaynews.com.  His blog is: www.royberko.info*
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