Vocal jazz never seems to go out of style. In fact, the recent success of Michael Buble and Peter Cincotti, makes it looks like vocal jazz is here to stay. VOA's Doug Levine tells us about new jazz singer and pianist Tony DeSare, whose versatility already has some calling him "the next big thing."
Tony DeSare is a huge Billy Joel fan. But ask him to name his favorite jazz crooners, and Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett immediately come to mind. It was Tony DeSare's love of swing music that prepared him for the starring role in a production of "Our Sinatra" at New York's Birdland Jazz Club in 2003. Soon, he was performing at some of region's top jazz clubs, including the Café Carlyle and Shanghai Jazz. His appearances at the famed Apollo Theater and Woodstock Jazz Festival brought him even wider attention.
Finally, in 2005, DeSare released his debut album, a combination of standards and originals, titled Want You.
Building on the success of his first album, Tony DeSare recently released Last First Kiss, featuring such classics as "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" and "They Can't Take That Away From Me." He even tackles Carole King's "I Feel The Earth Move."
Four original tunes round out the album, including one called "Let's Just Stay In."
Despite his busy schedule, Tony had time to contribute the title song to the documentary film My Date With Drew, starring Drew Barrymore. He was also chosen as one of three vocalists to sing in a musical tribute to legendary composer Harold Arlen.
In the coming weeks, Tony will be performing in New Jersey, Missouri and California in support of his new album Last First Kiss.
