BIRDLAND presents KLEA BLACKHURST and BILLY STRITCH in “DREAMING OF A SONG: The Music of HOAGY CARMICHAEL” 

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present the return of vocalist Klea Blackhurst and singer/pianist Billy Stritch in their acclaimed show “Dreaming of a Song: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael” on Monday, August 7 at 7:00 PM. These two powerhouse performers reunite to bring their hit 2008 concert celebrating the music of one of America’s most treasured songwriters for one night only. Blackhurst and Stritch have mined the Carmichael catalogue to unearth lesser-known gems as well as beloved treasures such as “Skylark,” “Georgia on My Mind” and “Stardust.” Theatre Scene called the evening a “remarkably entertaining show with all the Heart and Soul of the legendary composer himself.” According to Cabaret Scenes,“Blackhurst and Stritch are as compatible as caviar and champagne.” There is a $30-40 music charge. Birdland is located at 315 West 44^th Street in New York.  

Klea Blackhurt is an actress, singer and comedienne known for her award-winning tribute to Ethel Merman, Everything the Traffic Will Allow. She has appeared in legendary concert venues from The London Palladium to Carnegie Hall, The Royal Albert Hall to Jazz at Lincoln Center and with symphony orchestras from Atlanta to Boston, Pittsburgh to Philly. Most recently she appeared as Emma Goldman in Ragtime: The Symphonic Concert with the Boston Pops at Tanglewood conducted by Keith Lockhart, as well as Ragtime: The Symphonic Concert with the Cincinnati Pops under the direction of John Morris Russell. NY theatre credits include Party Face opposite Hayley Mills, Bingo, Radio Gals, Oil City Symphony, and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Her television appearances include “Pose,” “The Knick,” two seasons on “The Onion News Network” as legal pundit Shelby Cross, “Law & Order: SVU,” and “Sesame Street.” Last season, Klea appeared at the Ogunquit Playhouse, where she continues her long association with The Nutty Professor, a new musical by the late Marvin Hamlisch and Rupert Holmes. Originally directed by legendary comedian Jerry Lewis, the show continues its bid for a Broadway run under the direction of Marc Bruni. Klea starred in the 50th Anniversary production of Hello, Dolly! at The Goodspeed Opera House and has continued her association with Jerry Herman as a charter member of the Jerry Herman Broadway Legacy Project, performing with symphony orchestras and teaching related master classes in an effort to bring Herman’s music to new generations. Her most recent solo project, One of the Girls, celebrates the words and music of Mr. Herman. She also presents master classes in collaboration with Singnasium and Spot-On Arts Academy and teaches privately through Klea Blackhurst Studio. She performs regularly with Billy Stritch and along with pal Jim Caruso their holiday show at Birdland has become a New York tradition and will be celebrating its 14th year in December. She is a member of Mendez Boxing Harlem, where she is known as The Belter. Klea is a distinguished Alumna of the University of Utah.  

Billy Stritch is one of the premier singer-pianists on the New York and national jazz and cabaret scenes. He began his career in Houston, Texas, where he formed the vocal trio Montgomery, Plant and Stritch. The trio performed all over New York and Europe from 1983 until they disbanded in 1990. A chance meeting with Liza Minnelli in of 1991 resulted in her asking him to create vocal arrangements for the record-breaking extravaganza Liza Stepping Out at Radio City Music Hall. In addition to his 25-year collaboration with as accompanist and opening act for Liza, Billy recently toured with the legendary Tony Bennett as Tony’s pianist and musical director. A solo entertainer in his own right, he has performed his own shows (including tributes to Mel Tormé and Cy Coleman) in concert halls and nightclubs across the country. Billy also serves as musical director for such leading vocalists as Linda Eder, Christine Ebersole and Linda Lavin. He is the co-writer of the Grammy-winning song “Does He Love You,” recorded by Reba McEntire and Linda Davis, and recorded again last year by Reba and Dolly Parton. When he’s not on the road, he is the pianist for Jim Caruso’s Cast Party open mic night every Monday at Birdland. Named the Best Musical Director four times by BroadwayWorld, Billy’s 2022 birthday engagement at Birdland was the winner of Best Vocal Jazz Show of the year. During Covid-19, he hosted his own weekly Facebook livestream “Billy’s Place”. He has recorded five solo albums and his latest release Billy’s Place (Club44 Records) is a collection of his favorite songs from these online concerts.  

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present Klea Blackhurst and Billy Stritch in “Dreaming of a Song: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael” on Monday, August 7 at 7:00 PM. There is a $30-40 music charge and a $20 food and beverage minimum. Birdland is located at 315 West 44^th Street (between 8^th and 9^th Avenues) in Manhattan. For reservations, please call (212) 581-3080 or visit www.BirdlandJazz.com.