LORNA LUFT AT BIRDLAND

Lorna Luft made her debut this past Monday at Birdland’s Jazz Club and it looks as though her Living Room will be her new home.  Joining her were singers David Elder and David Yazbeck as they assisted her in saluting the “men in her life” Burt Bacharach, Irving Berlin, and Rogers and Hart.

Luft, the daughter of Judy Garland, opened with “You Don’t Know Me” and “Let’s Fall In Love”, followed by a medley of Bacharach tunes including, “I Say A Little Prayer”, “One Less Bell To Answer”  “A House Is Not A Home”, and “That’s What Friends Are For”.

At first David Elder did a duet with her and later both David Elder and Tony Yazbeck went into “Blue Skies”.    Hey, this is a jazz club and well hosted by Jim Caruso.  

Barry Manilow and Liza Minnelli were in the audience to cheer her on.   But, cheering from them wasn’t even necessary as the audience gave Luft a few standing ovations.  

A few stories of her past and more songs.  “Time Heals Everything”.  “Johnny One Note”.  “Funny Valentine”. “Let Me Sing A Funny Song”.  “Where Or When”.   “So Lucky To Be Loving You”.  “Just In Time”.

Out came a wooden board as David Yazbeck sang “Heaven” and did a soft shoe/tap dance.   It was just one fabulously entertaining evening.

Lorna Luft will be performing again at Birdland’s on Monday, February 18 along with jazz diva  Ann Hampton Callaway as they salute female composers including Dorothy Fields, Betty Comden and Laura Nyro.   Tix are $25-$30 plus a $10 food or beverage minimum per person.  Check it out at www.birdlandjazz.com.