Renowned cabaret and concert artist Jeff Harnar is set to celebrate his latest album, “Jeff Harnar Sings Sammy Cahn: The Second Time Around,” with a series of major concerts this summer.
The special concert engagements will take place at several esteemed venues including Vibrato Grill Jazz in Los Angeles, CA, on Tuesday, July 22, and Coachella Valley Repertory in Cathedral City, CA, on Thursday, July 24.
In addition, Harnar will perform at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights, IL, on Wednesday, August 6, and will conclude with a show at Blue Strawberry in St. Louis, MO, on Friday, August 8.
Joining Harnar for these performances is music director Alex Rybeck, with the evening directed by Barry Kleinbort.
This new album is a heartfelt homage to the legendary Academy Award-winning lyricist Sammy Cahn, as Harnar revisits his 2001 recording originally dedicated to the songwriter’s works.
Long since sold out, the original album has been thoughtfully remixed and expanded for the new release, showcasing Harnar’s artistic evolution and fresh interpretations of Cahn’s timeless lyrics.
The album features collaborations with notable artists, including Grammy Award nominee Clint Holmes, the harmoniously praised vocal trio MOIPEI, and vocalist Nicole Zuraitis.
Released by PS Classics, “The Second Time Around” is available for purchase on Amazon.com, marking a new chapter in Harnar’s artistic journey.
Sammy Cahn’s legacy as one of America’s greatest songwriters is unparalleled; he holds the record for the most Academy Awards for Best Song and penned nearly 100 tracks made famous by Frank Sinatra.
Cahn’s music, often created in partnership with composers Jule Styne and Jimmy Van Heusen, is characterized by lyrics that balance romance, wit, and a poignant touch of melancholy, touching the hearts of millions across generations.
Iconic songs such as “Come Fly with Me,” “All the Way,” “Call Me Irresponsible,” and “Time After Time” are featured in Harnar’s tribute, which has become part of the fabric of American culture.
This tribute began as a stage show and received glowing reviews, labeled a “Critics’ Pick” by The New York Times, which declared it “Highly Recommended” and praised Harnar’s “creamy” singing.
Liza Minnelli remarked, saying, “I wish Sammy could have heard this; he would have loved it. I certainly did.”
The collaboration between Harnar and Rybeck has spanned over forty years, with Rybeck contributing his expertise in arrangements for both the original tracks and the new additions in this album.
The combination of time and talent brings a fresh perspective to Cahn’s work, making this celebration even more meaningful as Harnar aptly notes, it is indeed lovelier the “second time around.”
Fans can look forward to an enchanting experience, as the songs from Cahn resonate with audiences once more.
Harnar’s extensive career encompasses numerous accolades, including multiple MAC, Bistro, and BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards, alongside the prestigious Noël Coward Foundation Cabaret Award.
His performances at Carnegie Hall include appearances for both the Cole Porter and Noël Coward Centennial Galas, and his PBS concert specials have also been well-received.
In 2022, Harnar released his fifth solo album, “I Know Things Now: My Life in Sondheim’s Words,” which showcased his talents with a twenty-piece orchestra conducted by Jon Weber.
In that year, Harnar was recognized as the Chicago Cabaret Professionals National Honoree, received the Mabel Mercer Foundation’s Mabel Mercer Award, and won three BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards for Best Vocalist, Show, and Director.
His recent honors include being named “Celebrity Artist” by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets in 2023, which coincided with “I Know Things Now” winning the Major Recording Award.
In addition to his music career, Harnar appears in the film “Joshua Tree, 1951: A Portrait of James Dean” from Iconoclast Films, highlighting his versatility as an artist.
His latest endeavor, “A Collective Cy: Jeff Harnar Sings Cy Coleman,” was also released by PS Classics in 2023, solidifying his place in the contemporary music scene.
Fans and followers of Harnar can visit his official website at www.jeffharnar.com for more information regarding upcoming performances and releases.
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