Jeff Weintraub Music

Next gig: April 22 at Mr. Henry’s. Spotlight on Nat ‘King’ Cole

I’m certainly not too proud to introduce a gimmick or two into my performances, if that’s what it takes to get more people there. That’s just what I’m planning to do on Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 8 to 11 p.m., when I’m next at Mr. Henry’s, 601 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, D.C.

As gimmicks go — maybe “theme” is a less loaded term — this isn’t a big one. I was somehow recently reminded of one of my favorite albums, “After Midnight,” which came out in 1957 and features Nat ‘King’ Cole with John Collins on guitar, Charlie Harris on bass, Lee Young on drums a host of others who dip in and out of indvidual tracks.

As I wrote about the album 15 years on my long-abandoned blog: “In ‘After Midnight,’ Cole shows himself to be every bit the jazz musician. It’s full of his acrobatic, crisply executed piano solos that only a master could pull off. And his voice, at that time well known for is smooth crooning in a soup of richly swelling strings and horns, is nimble, full of energy and experimental. Though he rarely strays from the melody line, the improvisation comes with his never-predictable phrasing.”

I also made the point that it’s too bad Cole left a lot of this behind when he gained greater fame — altering his style to appeal, it seems, more to white audiences who maybe didn’t appreciate his jazz. Not that he didn’t do the more popular stuff well. He was luminous. But I like this stuff far more. (I made a similar comparison in this blog post to the arc of Sam Cooke’s career.)

I used to sing a number of the songs from “After Midnight.” So, hey, why not pull them up and sing them again, as part of a spotlight on this great musician? (Does that rise to the level of a gimmick?) I only hope I will do them justice and that his estate won’t mind my using the cover art for this post. My set will also include songs from a variety of other composers and performers in the jazz, pop and folk genres.

At this writing, I have not yet made this decision clear to the three great musicians who will join me on April 22: Harry Appelman on piano, Francis Thompson on drums andSteve Arnold on bass. They will be up to the task.

The show will require a cover of only $15, plus a food or drink minimum of $15. Click here get advance tickets. Please note that ticket sales stop the day of the show, but that doesn’t mean it’s sold out. (There’s been confusion about this in the past.) Best to call Mr. Henry’s that day at (202) 546-8412.

Also, at 6 p.m., the dining room opens, and you’re welcome — indeed, encouraged — to go then. But just know that the music begins at 8 p.m.

For a hint of what I usually offer, go to: https://weintraubmusic.com/listen/

I hope you can make it.

Jeff

Next gig: April 22 at Mr. Henry’s

Remember those days a couple years ago (such as in the photo above) when I was doing “shows” from my laptop at home? I don’t miss that, but the memory of it makes me all the more grateful to be performing in person — as I will again on Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 8 to 11 p.m., at Mr. Henry’s, 601 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, D.C.

In addition to the fine food, good drinks and warm atmosphere, you can enjoy three great artists who will play with me: Harry Appelman on piano, Francis Thompson on drums andSteve Arnold on bass.

There will be a cover of $15, plus a food or drink minimum of $15. Click here get advance tickets. Please note that ticket sales stop the day of the show, but that doesn’t mean it’s sold out. (There’s been confusion about this in the past.) Best to call Mr. Henry’s that day at (202) 546-8412.

Also, at 6 p.m., the dining room opens, and you’re welcome — indeed, encouraged — to go then. But just know that the music begins at 8 p.m.

For a hint of what I usually offer, go to: https://weintraubmusic.com/listen/

I hope you can make it.

Jeff

Back to Mr. Henry’s: January 21, 2023

As we near the end of 2022, I hope 2023 will be a good year for you and everyone. I’m also hoping my next gig on Saturday, January 21, 2023, from 8 to 11 p.m., at Mr. Henry’s, 601 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, D.C., will contribute in someway to that outcome. It will be even nicer to see many of your faces there.

In addition to the fine food, good drinks and warm atmosphere, there are at least three other compelling reasons for you to come: the trio of great artists who will play with me. They include Jon Ozment on piano, Francis Thompson on drums and Steve Arnold on bass.

There will be a cover of $15, plus a food or drink minimum of $15. Click here to get advance tickets. Please note that ticket sales stop the day of the show, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s sold out. (There’s been confusion about this in the past.) Best to call Mr. Henry’s that day at (202) 546-8412.

Also, at 6 p.m., the dining room opens, and you’re welcome — indeed, encouraged — to go then. But just know that the music begins at 8 p.m.

As a special incentive, the first 375 people to attend will be given a full set of clean utensils with which they can eat their food. Napkins are also complimentary.

For a hint of what I usually offer, go to: https://weintraubmusic.com/listen/

I hope you can make it, and happy new year.

Jeff

Next Gig: Sat., Oct. 22 at Mr. Henry’s

On SATURDAY, October 22, 8 to 11 p.m. , I’ll be playing again at Mr. Henry’s, 601 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. I hope you and all of your friends can join me.

I’m thilled to be playing with three really exciting musicians: Harry Appelman on piano, Francis Thompson on drums and Blake Meister on bass.

There will be a cover of $15, plus a food or drink minimum of $15. Click here get advance tickets. Ticket sales stop the day of the show, but that doesn’t mean it’s sold out. Best to call Mr. Henry’s that day at (202) 546-8412.

At 6 p.m., the dining room opens, and you’re welcome — indeed, encouraged — to go then. But just know that the music begins at 8 p.m.

For a hint of what I usually offer, go to: https://weintraubmusic.com/listen/

I hope you can make it.

Jeff

Big-time Correction: Next Gig is on Saturday, July 30, 8 to 11 p.m., Mr. Henry’s

Someone in the Office of Bonehead Mistakes at Weintraub Music’s North American headquarters was under the impression that Jeff’s next gig was on July 23, as already advertised. But no. The gig is actually on SATURDAY, JULY 30, 8 to 11 p.m. at Mr. Henry’s, 601 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. The search is now on for whoever is responsible for this unforgivably embarrassing blunder.

As before, the July 30 show will spotlight tunes by Bob Dylan.

There will be a cover of $15, plus a food or drink minimum of $15. Click here to get advance tickets. I’m springing for ice water for the first 65 guests.

Just so you’re not confused, at 6 p.m., the dining room is open, and you’re welcome — indeed, encouraged — to go then. Music begins at 8 p.m. Also, on the day of the show, they close the online ticketing. But tickets may still be available. Please call Mr. Henry’s the find out at (202) 546-8412.

For a hint of what I usually offer, go to: https://weintraubmusic.com/listen/

I hope you can make it. ON THE 30TH!

Jeff

Photo credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA.gov.

Next Gig: Saturday, July 23, at Mr. Henry’s in Washington, D.C. Spotlight on Bob Dylan.

I’ll be back performing at Mr. Henry’s, 601 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, D.C., on Saturday, July 23, 8 to 11 p.m. This time, I’ll be spotlighting some tunes by Bob Dylan, who, among other things, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012 (see the picture above).

This should be a lot of fun, not least because I’ll be joined by some terrific musicians, including: Harry Appelman on keyboards, Francis Thompson on drums and Percy White on bass.

For a hint of what I usually offer, go to: https://weintraubmusic.com/listen/

I hope you can make it.

Jeff

Photo credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA.gov.

NEXT GIG: Saturday, April 23 at Mr. Henry’s

I’m going to be back again to Mr. Henry’s, 601 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, D.C., on Saturday, April 23, 8 to 11 p.m. This will be my second attempt to spotlight some tunes by (or made famous by) Harry Nilsson, whose songwriting, recording and singing was a big and influential presence on the late-1960s and ’70s American pop music landscape. For more on him, click here.

I’m excited not only to be singing the music of Nilsson (among much else), but also to be joined by some terrific musicians, including: Harry Appelman on keyboards, Ben Tufts on drums and David Jernigan on bass.

There will be a cover of $15, plus a food or drink minimum of $15. Click here to get advance tickets.

For a hint of what I usually offer, go to this link.

I hope you can make it to what should be a fun night.

Jeff

CANCELLED: Jan. 22 show at Mr. Henry’s

Alas, I have to cancel the show I had scheduled at Mr. Henry’s on Saturday, January 22.

I’m booked again there on Saturday, April 23, and I’m hoping once again to feature songs by Harry Nilsson. Please keep that in mind. More to come on that

Meantime, click here to see Nilsson in one of his rare live performances playing “1941,” the semi-autobiographic song he recorded in 1967 for his album Pandemonium Shadow Show.

See you later.

Jeff

Next Gig: Jan. 22, Mr. Henry’s, Spotlight on Harry Nilsson

I’ll be back performing at Mr. Henry’s, 601 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, D.C., on Saturday, January 22, 8 to 11 p.m. This time, I’ll be spotlighting some tunes by (or made famous by) Harry Nilsson, whose songwriting, recording and singing was a big and influential presence on the late-1960s and ’70s American pop music landscape. For more on him, click here.

I’m excited not only to be singing the music of Nilsson (among much else), but also to be joined by some terrific musicians, including: Wayne Wilentz on keyboards, Ben Tufts on drums. and Paul Langosch on bass.

There will be a cover of $15, plus a food or drink mimimum of $15. To get tickets in advance (which I recommend), click here. Note that they stop selling in advance the day of the show, but that doesn’t mean it’s sold out. Call: (202) 546-8412

For a hint of what I usually offer (sorry, no Nilsson songs here – yet), go to: https://weintraubmusic.com/listen/

I hope you can make it to what should be a fun night.

Jeff

Photo credit: “A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night” by kevin dooley is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Next Gig: Saturday, November 27, at Mr. Henry’s

Once again, I’ll be performing at Mr. Henry’s Restaurant, 601 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, in Washington, D.C.’s Capitol Hill neighborhood., on Saturday, November 27, 8 to 11 p.m. (yes, that’s Thanks giving weekend).

I’ll be singing with Harry Appelman on piano, Percy White on bass and Theo Rosenfeld on saxophone.

Tickets for the event, which you can get on this app, will be $15 person, in addition to a $15 food and drink minimum.

You can expect a range of jazz, jazz-y popular tunes, blues and some surprises. For a taste of what you might hear, go to www.weintraubmusic.com.

I hope to see you there.

Jeff