Billy Stritch Sings Mel Tormé

Billy Stritch is one of the premier singer-pianists on the New York and national jazz and cabaret scene. His current solo show is a tribute to the legendary Mel Tormé which has earned rave reviews from the New york music critics. Rex Reed of The Observer called it “an eclectic and thrilling set that is guaranteed to sent you into orbit” while The New York Times called it “a loving, carefully researched tribute from one singer to another.” Billy has appeared in cabaret venues across the nation as well as concert performances at the London Palladium, NHK Hall in Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro’s Municipale Auditorium. In New York, he has performed at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall and recently completed 688 performances as Oscar the rehearsal pianist in the Broadway revival of “42nd Street” which starred Christine Ebersole. It was in this production that Billy and Christine initially met, laying the groundwork for a happy and mutually rewarding musical collaboration. Their CD release “In Your Dreams” is available on Ghostlight Records. Billy is also a songwriter and arranger, and his composition “Does He Love You” was recorded by Reba McEntire and Linda Davis. The single reached the number one spot on the Billboard Country chart, winning a Grammy Award and selling over five million copies along the way. Billy has also written music for theater and for The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. He has arranged for many top performers and is a frequent collaborator with Liza Minnelli, having written the arrangements for “Minnelli On Minnelli at the Palace” and “Liza’s Christmas at Town Hall”. Billy has played and sung on numerous television shows including “The Rosie O’Donnell Show”, “Oprah”, “The CBS Morning Show” and “Today”. He has three CDs to his credit and his latest “Jazz Live”, recorded at The Jazz Standard in New York, was recently released on Fynsworth Alley Records. He is the winner of the Nashville Music City News Award, a BMI Song of the Year Award, and five awards from the Manhattan Association of Clubs and Cabarets including major male vocalist of 2007.