Photo Montage /Video: Russ Weatherford – Eric Rudy

by: Linda Amiel Burns

The songs of composer Larry Kerchner was celebrated at Birdland with an all-star cast of singers 

 

In a gala evening, produced by Sandi Durell, “Hidden Treasures IV – The Songs of Larry Kerchner” was held at Birdland on May 31, 2015. Larry is a Grammy Award nominated composer and has a treasure trove of songs to showcase. The show was hosted by Klea Blackhurst and dedicated to Russ Weatherford. The band of superb musicians was led by musical director Tex Arnold, with Sean Harkness on guitar, Tom Hubbard on bass and Ray Marchica on drums. The all star cast included: Jim Brochu, Carole J. Bufford, Dennis Chiccino, Alexis Cole, Natalie Douglas, Shana Farr, Eric Michael Gillett, Nina Hennessey, Marissa Mulder, Mark Nadler, Karen Oberlin, Stacy Sullivan, and the winner of the 2012 Great American Songbook High School Vocal Academy Competition, Nick Ziobro.

The show opened with the lively “The Girl Can’t Quit!” performed by Dennis Chiccino. The versatile Mark Nadler performed the tender “It Was Paris” and returned to sing “Iowa!”- a song that Larry wrote especially for him that had the audience roaring with laughter. Another highlight was the humorous “You’re Getting To Me” that Marissa Mulder really put over. Eric Michael Gillett has known Larry for many years when Eric was the Ringmaster at Ringling Brothers and Larry used to write songs for the circus. Eric sang the beautiful “My Deepest Love” – a song written for wife, Annette. Jim Brochu brought us to tears with the song dedicated to the late Julie Wilson, “A Life Without End.” Carole J. Bufford sang two fabulous showstoppers, “Nasty McJive” and “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News.”

The talented Stacy Sullivan and Karen Oberlin performed a fun duet “Sink or Swim” after each sang two heartbreaking songs – – Stacy with “Now I Wonder Why” and Karen “When Winter Comes.” The young crooner Nick Ziobro with the golden voice, sang “Sinatra” a song Larry collaborated on with Tex Arnold. Klea told the sad story of Larry having to sell some of his songs at a time when money was short and they later became hits. One was “Somewhere In Time” that was used in the film and Shana Farr’s rendition was thrilling. The other was the iconic song “Home” from The Wiz that Natalie Douglas sung to perfection. The show closed with the cast reprising “Hot Tambu” a rhythmic and infectious song.

Kudos to the creative team who helped put together this delightful evening of terrific songs by Larry Kerchner. Hopefully, these great songs will not be “Hidden Treasures” anymore, known by many singers and become standards. We are anxiously awaiting “Hidden Treasures V.”

 

Photos Below: Kevin Alvey

Karen Oberlin

Karen Oberlin

Natalie Douglas

Natalie Douglas

Nick Ziobro

Nick Ziobro

Shana Farr

Shana Farr

Carole J. Bufford

Carole J. Bufford

Jim Brochu

Jim Brochu

Klea Blackhurst

Klea Blackhurst

Nina Hennessey

Nina Hennessey

Mark Nadler

Mark Nadler

Eric Michael Gillett

Eric Michael Gillett

Marissa Mulder

Marissa Mulder

The Cast

The Cast