Every artist has a story, but few tell it quite like Mikayla Smith. On October 23, the rising vocalist delivered an extraordinary evening of music, memories, and emotion with Love, Dreams & Me, her third consecutive sold-out concert at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. What unfolded was far more than a concert. It was an intimate musical journey celebrating the people, places, and artists who helped shape one of South Florida’s most promising young talents.

The evening began with a beautifully produced video montage featuring childhood memories, family photographs, and performances alongside celebrated artists including Wendy Moten and Joshua Henry, as well as moments with jazz sensation Samara Joy. Particularly touching was footage of a young Mikayla, barely more than a toddler, already displaying her love for music at a keyboard. “Before I wrote my own music or found my own voice, I was listening to someone else’s,” Smith explained. “Every artist has a story. This is mine.”

And what a story it was!

Accompanied by her outstanding professional trio, musical director and pianist Juan Tobon, drummer Carlos Rodriguez, and bassist Jamie Ousley, Smith opened with a beautifully expressive rendition of “I Wish You Love.” The chemistry between these accomplished musicians was exceptional, with Tobon’s masterful arrangements and expressive solos providing a brilliant foundation throughout the evening.

The concert also marked a poignant homecoming. After relocating from Southwest Louisiana to South Florida for her senior year of high school, Smith found both a musical home and her voice as a jazz vocalist with The King’s Academy Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Wes Lowe. Now, as she prepares to graduate from Palm Beach Atlantic University, reuniting with the very ensemble where her jazz journey began brought her story full circle. Their spirited performances of “Straighten Up and Fly Right” and “Everybody Wants to Be a Cat” filled the theatre with the energy of a swinging big band. Among the ensemble’s standout young musicians were tenor saxophonist Liam Shane and trombonist Aiden Phillips, whose impressive solos and sensitive contributions alongside Smith during several intimate selections demonstrated remarkable musicianship.

Smith’s versatility was on full display as she moved effortlessly from a sophisticated French rendition of “La Vie en Rose” to a soul-stirring performance of “Angels,” featuring her younger brother, William Smith. An award-winning young trumpeter, William is currently an 11th-grade member of The King’s Academy Jazz Ensemble with aspirations of pursuing music professionally. His performance was another reminder of the extraordinary young talent represented onstage. Smith continued with classics by Ray Charles and Al Green before joining celebrated guitarist and mentor Ted Perlman for an electrifying performance of Alicia Keys’ “Fallin’.” Smith even picked up the guitar herself, revealing yet another dimension of her artistry.

But perhaps the evening’s greatest revelation came when Smith introduced her original compositions, “Scary” and “Time.” Until that moment, audiences had experienced her remarkable interpretations of familiar music. Now they were hearing the power of her own pen. Both compositions revealed a confident, thoughtful songwriter with a distinctive artistic voice. Smith is clearly more than an exceptional interpreter of the Great American Songbook. She is an emerging artist with something original to say.

A deeply moving reimagining of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” followed, before Smith briefly surrendered the spotlight to her younger brother for a delightful rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely.”

The evening reached another unforgettable high point with Smith’s original composition “Home,” a heartfelt tribute to her Louisiana roots. The song transitioned into a jubilant New Orleans-style second-line celebration of “When the Saints Go Marching In,” bringing the audience to its feet as handkerchiefs waved throughout the theatre. For a few magical moments, Jupiter, Florida, felt like the streets of New Orleans!

A touching presentation of roses from Smith’s father added another emotional moment before the young vocalist returned to a standing ovation and delivered a profoundly moving encore of “The Rainbow Connection.”

What made Love, Dreams & Me exceptional was the way Smith combined first-class musicianship with genuine intimacy. The evening moved seamlessly between laughter and tears, sophistication and celebration, powerful vocals and delicate storytelling. Every song felt purposeful, every moment personal.

Three consecutive sold-out performances at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre are impressive for any artist, particularly one just beginning her professional career. Yet what makes Mikayla Smith so compelling is not simply her remarkable voice, but her ability to make audiences feel connected to the music and to one another.

The Great American Songbook has inspired generations of extraordinary performers. Mikayla Smith honors that tradition while confidently beginning to write her own chapter. And judging by this unforgettable evening, hers is a story worth following.

MIKAYLA SMITH

MIKAYLA SMITH

MIKAYLA SMITH & THE KINGS ACADEMY JAZZ ENSEMBLE

MIKAYLA SMITH

MIKAYLA SMITH

MIKAYLA SMITH

MIKAYLA SMITH

The  Dutch Treat Club consistently delivers terrific guest speakers and entertainers, but the Tuesday Dutch Treat lunches have another delightful distinction: the impressive guests members invite.  The October 27 gathering was a perfect example, with author James Gavin and jazz singer Anaïs Reno the headlined entertainment, while among the members’ special guests was none other than Tony- and Emmy-nominated Broadway/Television star Michele Lee. She joined in the festivities with characteristic warmth and graciously posed for selfies with fellow Dutch Treaters, making an already memorable afternoon even more special!

James Gavin, called “a killer biographer” by The Hollywood Reporter, started his presentation at the Dutch Treat Club with a vintage video of jazz legend, Anita O’Day, the subject of his latest biography, Cool Heat: The Dangerous Jazz Life of Anita O’Day. It was a fascinating glimpse into the life of this incredibly talented and troubled performer. Gavin related how she went from near death due to heroin addiction, to headlining at the JVC Jass Festival. We learned that her doctors had to manage her substance abuse, by keeping her on a codeine laced cough syrup for the rest of her life, after she lived through 13 years of heroin addiction, followed by alcohol and marijuana, all while keeping up a brutal performing pace with cheer and stunning vocals. The particularly fun surprise in Gavin’s talk, was the inclusion of a video featuring Sidney Myer, interviewing O’Day at Michael’s Pub. Myer, legendary, long-time booking manager, host, and award-winning cabaret artist, was in attendance on Tuesday, and added his remembrances of a rainy night where only 6 people were in the audience. Concerned, because of O’Day’s addiction reputation, he soon had nothing to fear, because she said she was a band singer and had a job to do. Myer said, “She wanted to lift up her audience whether there were 6 or 60, and she did!”

A Grammy nominee and two-time recipient of the ASCAP Deems Taylor-Virgil Thomson Award, Gavin is also a celebrated music journalist and worldwide public speaker. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, the Los Angeles Times, and other major publications, and he has made hundreds of radio and television appearances, including on NPR, the BBC, Today, Good Morning America, and PBS NewsHour.

Gavin then presented the dynamic young jazz interpreter, Anaïs Reno, a New York City-based singer and composer, who has headlined and been featured in venues such as Birdland, Dizzy’s, Ronnie Scott’s and the Edinburgh Jazz Festival. In 2021, she released her debut album, “Lovesome Thing,” celebrating Ellington and Strayhorn, and she recently released her second studio album titled “Lady of the Lavender Mist”. Accompanied on bass by the incredibly talented Sameer Shankar, you could have heard a pin drop as she commanded the space with a polish far beyond her years, on gorgeous arrangements of “Night and Day”, “A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square” and “As Long As I Live”. Reno told us that she was intimidated to discover that she was the ONLY singer Gavin had requested for this day, and related that although she did not share the addictions of O’Day, she was inspired by her in many ways – but Reno clearly has her very own delightful charm and authenticity, holding us all spellbound as she wove a magical spell with her unique style and lush vocals.

SIDNEY MYER, EDA SOROKOFF, RAISSA KATONA BENNETT, MICHELE LEE

JAMES GAVIN & KT SULLIVAN

RAISSA KATONA BENNETT & ANAÏS RENO

JAMES GAVIN

JAMES GAVIN

SAMEER SHANKAR & ANAÏS RENO

ANAÏS RENO

SIDNEY MYER & KT SULLIVAN

NANCY McGRAW & JAMES GAVIN

MICHELE LEE & ANAÏS RENO

SAMEER SHANKAR & ANAÏS RENO

THE DUTCH TREAT CLUB

KT SULLIVAN & JAMES GAVIN

NANCY McGRAW

BONNE ROSEMAN & JERRY JOHNSON

There is a special kind of anticipation that comes with a perfectly chosen wine pairing—the promise that two distinct pleasures, brought together, will create something greater than the sum of their parts. The same excitement accompanies an evening with two extraordinary talents: Christine Ebersole with Billy Stritch, who opened a 5 night engagement at 54 Below last night.

Whether in a wineglass or on a stage, the secret is much the same: the right pairing can elevate two exceptional ingredients into something extraordinary. And when Christine Ebersole is on stage with Billy Stritch serving as music director, the result is a vintage all their own.

Over the course of their distinguished careers, both have performed individually with an exceptional roster of singers and musicians. Having enjoyed the privilege of seeing many of these performances, I can attest that when Christine and Billy come together, the result is something quite special. Their musical chemistry, impeccable harmonic and melodic sophistication create a synergy that transforms a performance into an experience.

Christine’s exquisitely nuanced voice blends haunting beauty with an irresistible playful sparkle, mesmerizing the sold-out opening-night audience at 54 Below from her very first note to a final whisper that seemed to linger in the legendary club’s intimate air—especially on ballads, where she completely held the audience spellbound.

Billy’s sophisticated keyboard artistry and warmly expressive vocals offered the perfect musical complement. Together, they create a musical conversation that keeps you eagerly anticipating every musical turn they take.  Add the natural wit and affectionate banter of a friendship spanning 25 years, and the magic becomes all the more apparent.

Speaking of pairings, there’s a special kind of magic when wonderful company, a delicious dinner, and great entertainment come together in one unforgettable evening. Eda & I found that magic once again at 54 Below, where we shared our table with American Theatre Wing Board member Nadine Wang and her friend Barbara Waldman. Between the lively conversation, and the excitement of live performance, it was another evening to savor. There’s the reason they call 54 Below Broadway’s living room!

The song list was inspired and Billy’s tasteful arrangements were impeccably executed by the Maestro at the piano, Michael O’Brien, Bass, Warren Odze, Drums, & Aaron Heick, Reeds

CHRISTINE EBERSOLE & BILLY STRITCH

BILLY STRITCH & CHRISTINE EBERSOLE

BILLY STRITCH & CHRISTINE EBERSOLE

BILLY STRITCH & CHRISTINE EBERSOLE

CHRISTINE EBERSOLE

BILLY STRITCH & CHRISTINE EBERSOLE

BILLY STRITCH & CHRISTINE EBERSOLE

CHRISTINE EBERSOLE

WARREN ODZE, MICHAEL O’BRIEN, CHRISTINE EBERSOLE, BILLY STRITCH, AARON HEICK

EDA SOROKOFF & CHRISTINE EBERSOLE

EDA SOROKOFF, BILLY STRITCH, NADINE WONG

NADINE WONG, EDA SOROKOFF, BARBARA WALDMAN

Live From The Hotel Edison Times Square Chronicles Presents, is filmed from the Hotel Edison and is a podcast extension of T2C. We are back after a small hiatus.

Today on Live From The Hotel Edison Times Square Chronicles Presents, Chicago’s 30th Anniversary with longtime cast member David Sabella. Sabella was called by Luciano Pavarotti “Excellent. Not Good. Excellent” David is a singer, actor, teacher, director and a producer. His credits have spanned Broadway, National Tours, and prestigious operatic and concert stages worldwide. Most notably, he is a winner of the 1995 Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition, and starred on Broadway in the breakout role of “Mary Sunshine” in the 1996 landmark revival of Chicago with Bebe Neuwirth, Ann Reinking, and Joel Grey—a starring role he triumphantly recreated in August 2025. A multi-award-winning performer, his numerous classical and theatrical credits showcase a robust career of leading roles and concert appearances that redefine the traditional boundaries of the male voice.

David Sabella as Mary Sunshine

You can catch David November 4th at the Laurie Beechman in Razzle Dazzle as D. Sabella celebrates 30 years of Chicago.

I am so grateful to David Sabella for his long time friendship, excellent musicality, whose art captures the imagination.

New York’s intimate stages are pulling out all the stops this November, with a lineup that reads like a who’s who of Broadway, jazz and cabaret royalty. At 54 Below, John Barrowman, Ann Hampton Callaway, David Yazbek, Marilyn Maye and Lea Salonga headline a glittering month, while Carnegie Hall welcomes the Falsettos 10th Anniversary Concert and The New York Pops with Denée Benton and Jordan Donica. Birdland keeps the jazz flowing with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jim Caruso’s Cast Party and Jamie deRoy & Friends, while Café Carlyle offers John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey, The Righteous Brothers and Lena Hall. The Laurie Beechman Theatre welcomes Lorna Luft, Lillias White and Christine Pedi; The Green Room 42 features Natalie Douglas, Reeve Carney and Samantha Pauley; and Sony Hall rocks out with Rockers on Broadway 33. Add Neil deGrasse Tyson, Jennifer Lopez and Rob Lowe at the 92nd Street Y, Richard Thomas bringing Mark Twain to The Town Hall, and an array of performances at Chelsea Table & Stage, Don’t Tell Mama, The Django and The Pocket, and November becomes a veritable feast for anyone who loves New York’s live entertainment scene.

Lea Salonga

54 Below: 254 West 54 St. 11/2: Casey Likes: Back To The Past;  11/3: LIVESTREAM | Nicolas King: No Bad Chords — Album Release Concert; 11/4 -7: John Barrowman; 11/14: Ann Hampton Callaway: Here’s To Life; 11/16: David Yazbek; 11/17 – 28 and Marilyn Maye; 11/29 and 12/1 – 5. Lea Salonga.

92 Street Y: 1395 Lexington Ave. 11/2: Neil deGrasse Tyson in Conversation with Lesley Stahl — Take Me to Your Leader: Perspectives on Your First Alien Encounter; 11/15: Jennifer Lopez — The JLO Show: Live in Las Vegas Screening and Conversation and 11/15: Rob Lowe: The Outsider — Advance Screening and Conversation with Rob Lowe and Josh Horowitz

Birdland Jazz: 315 West 44 St. Every Monday Jim Caruso’s Cast party; Every Monday and Tuesday: Vince Giordano leads The Nighthawks; Every Sunday Gabrielle Stravelli Trio;  11/9: Jeff Harner; 111/9: Tedd Firth; 1/11 – 14: Dee Dee Bridgewater and 11/23: Jamie deRoy and Friends

Carnegie Hall: 881 7th Ave at 57th St. 11/2: Falsettos 10 Year Anniversary Concert and 11/20: The New York Pops One Night Only: An Evening with Denée Benton and Jordan Donica.

Chelsea Table & Stage: Hilton Fashion District Hotel, 152 W 26th St. 11/19: All the Things You Are: Love, Laughter, and Music of Jerome Kern.

Dizzys Club Coca Cola: Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at 60th Street.

Don’t Tell Mama: 343 W. 46 St. 11/5 and 19: Tanya Moberly: Repertoire With Jon Weber.

Laurie Beechman Theatre: at the West Bank Café: 407 West 42 St. 11/4: David Sabella and 11; 11/7: Lorna Luft; 11/20: Lillias White Live At The Beechman and 11/29: CVhristine Pedi.

Madame George: 45 West 45th: Broadway Night Mondays.

The Café Carlyle: 35 East 76 St. at Madison Ave.  11/3 -14: John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey at Café Carlyle; 11/17 – 19: The Righteous Brothers at Café Carlyle and 11/20 – 21: Lena Hall at Café Carlyle.

The Cutting Room: 44 East 32nd St.

The DJango: 2 Avenue of the Americas. 11/6: Jason Tiemann Quinetet and 11/14 Lee Taylor and 11/24: People of the Earth.

The Iridium: 1650 Broadway.

The Pierre Hotel, Two E Bar & Lounge: 2 E 61st St.

The Pocket:130 West 36th St. Every Monday mingus big band; Every Tuesday arturo o’farrill & the afro latin jazz orchestra

Sony Hall: 235 W 46th St. 11/2: Rockers On Broadway: 33.

The Triad: 158 W. 72 St. Street. 11/6, 7, 12, 14, 20, 21, 27, 26 and 12/4, 5, and 11 True Confessions of Go-Go Girl.

The Town Hall: 123 W. 43 St. 11/2: Richard Thomas Mark Twain Tonight! A Special One-night Only Performance.