After breakfast at Cafe Cluny (12th and 4th) I took the subway uptown to get tickets for a Broadway show. I tried Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (no matinees during the week), The Merchant of Venice starring Al Pacino (no matinees), Come Fly With Me (discontinued), Driving Miss Daisy ($121), and ended up at the Majestic Theater for Phantom of the Opera. Yes, I was the only person who had never seen Phantom on Broadway.
Phantom comes from a novel by French writer Gaston Leroux. The story sold very poorly in book form but is now the longest running show in Broadway history and one of the most lucrative entertainment enterprises of all time. The stage show features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Charles Hart. The Phantom was played by Hugh Panaro and
Christine was played by Sara Jean Ford.
Christine was played by Sara Jean Ford.
After Phantom I went up to The View for my birthday cocktail, the Big Apple, and then rode the subway to Christopher Street/Sheridan Square, walked west to Greenwich Street, got spruced up and walked east to the Blue Note Jazz Club on 3rd and 6th to see the Gary Burton New Quartet at 8P. At 6:30, as part of the Emerging Artist Series, I saw Julian Pollack 5 featuring Nir Felder. Julian Waterfall Pollack, at age 21, has the jazz community abuzz with his mature, technically ferocious, and dynamic piano playing. Joining Julian was Nir Felder on guitar, Chase Baird (sax), Steve Lyman (drums), and Noah Garabedian (bass).
The featured show of the evening was the Gary Burton New Quartet. This appearance was the North American debut for the group which made its world premiere at the North Sea Jazz Festival in August. For over 5 decades, vibraphonist Gary Burton has crossed musical barriers and generations with his innovative ensembles. His quartets have featured a unique mix of established musicians while discovering and showcasing younger musicians, many of whom would soon become some of the world's most recognizable artists, such as Larry Coryell, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and most recently guitarist Julian Lage. Also joining Mr. Burton onstage were Scott Colley - bass, and Antonio Sanchez - drums.
The evening ended with a cafe latte' at Caffe Reggio. My "birthday day" couldn't have been much better.
