Philadelphia native and crooner extraordinaire Eddie Bruce will be making a grand return to New York City this weekend when he headlines at Feinstein’s at the Regency. Marking Bruce’s third booking at this historic venue, Bruce is putting on his “Feeling Good” show for a good cause: benefiting the Guardian Angels. Founded in 1979, the Guardian Angels are a citizen based anti-crime organization. When a friend asked Bruce to help with a benefit concert, he was more than happy to oblige: “I thought it was a good idea because I like their work […] I love their youth program and their affiliation with schools.”

Bruce’s “Feeling Good” show is a throwback to the innocent era of the early 1960’s, a world of tuxedos and martinis, including tributes to beloved Rat Pack members Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra. However, Bruce does not want the audience to think they’ll be sitting through a mere Sinatra tribute. Instead, they’ll be treated to a showcase of two lyricists whose songs are considered part of the Great American Songbook: Johnny Mercer and Sammy Cahn, both of whom wrote songs later recorded by Old Blue Eyes, but also enjoyed a great deal of acclaim in their own regards. Mercer won four Academy Awards for Best Original Song, including the beloved title song from “Moon River” (1961), co-written with Henry Mancini.

Cahn’s most famous song covered by Sinatra is “Come Fly With Me,” but he also wrote the Christmas favorite “Let It Snow.” Bruce has a strong affection for Cahn, and has promised to include the late songwriter into his live show by way of “a little visit from Music Heaven.” The singer also has a genuine love for the Great American Songbook, calling it “a truly American art, [the] classical music of our time.” Part of Bruce’s mission is to keep these songs alive, while also highlighting the singers and songwriters who helped make this music popular. Local singer and Guardian Angel Barry Kaye will also join Bruce onstage for a duet.

Bruce will perform at Feinstein’s on Sunday, October 9th and Monday, October 10th at 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the show are $30 for general seating and $50 for preferred seating, with a $25 minimum for food and drink, and can be purchased online at www.ticketweb.com or through Feinstein’s box office: 212.339.4095.

…We wanted to thank you for making our wedding SO MUCH FUN! You and the band were absolutely amazing and we have still been hearing from people about how terrific you were! You played the perfect mix of music and had the entire crowd partying all night!

Thank you again!

No cover or minimum

Known for being one of Philly’s most popular bandleaders and as a media personality, Eddie Bruce loves singing jazz standards and communicating a great lyric with wonderful music.  All August & September, he returns to SugarHouse Casino’s “Swingin’ on the River” on their patio with spectacular night views of the Delaware River.  Guests will enjoy the great jazz tunes sung by Eddie Bruce with his trio, while sipping on martinis and beer specials on SugarHouse’s picturesque waterfront patio.  It’s the perfect way to start a weekend!

You gave my entire family the best day of our lives.  The music was unbelievable!  You were musical satin enveloping everyone in the luxury of your talent.  Everyone, and I mean everyone, could not get enough of you and the band.  Please tell each of them how much we appreciate all that they did.  We love you and are so grateful that you are a part of our lives.

Be well my friend

Thank you so much for everything you did to help us give our daughter, Ali, the wedding of her dreams.

Not only are you a talented entertainer, you are an amazing, warm and generous master of ceremonies who kept our party going at warp speed the entire night.

Everyone told us that yours was the BEST band they’d ever heard!

We wish you all the best!  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Best,

Here it is, 4 months after Lauren & Sam’s wedding and everyone is still raving about the band – the music was amazing.  From the moment the band started ’til the final note, the dance floor was jam packed.  Exhausted, our guests kept on dancing.  Many times I was told how your sound was exactly like the original artists.

It is not an easy task to play dance music that ALL can enjoy, there were many generations in attendance, yet congratulations, you were very successful!

Our wedding was so much fun and everyone will remember the amazing energy that you helped create.  Thank you.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

There are no words to thank you for bringing sound-music-emotion to what we now call the best and most incredible day of our lives!  No one could get over you guys – you are incredible!  We feel so lucky to have had you as a part of our special day.  So thank you for your songs, your voices and your passion for celebration!  We love your presence and just wanted to extend our thanks!  Hope to see you in the near future!

All our best, love and many thanks!

A friend told me about Eddie Bruce, and that I had to see him. What a great friend she is for introducing me to Eddie’s music. As luck would have it, I was in New York when he was performing, and this London-based writer is reviewing him in a show dedicated to one of Britain’s most important musical exports.

I’ve been an Anthony Newley fan my whole life, although I found songs like “Pop Goes the Weasel,” “The Candy Man” and “Pure Imagination” a bit on the silly side. Hearing them again tonight, I realized I really DO like those songs. The music is infectious, and somehow the lyrics are ingrained in my brain. Eddie sings these, and Newley’s more serious songs (written with Leslie Bricusse) like “Feeling Good,” “Once in a Lifetime” and “The Joker,” beautifully. It’s almost impossible to keep from tapping your toes, or moving to the music. All you had to do was look around the room to see the proof of this.

Eddie Bruce has great talent for entertaining his audience. He’s a natural. You warm to him immediately. He’s funny, has a beautiful voice, and his jazz band, the Tom Adams Trio, is truly remarkable.

Eddie’s based in Philadelphia. Keep an eye out for him and, when he’s performing in your neck of the woods, go see him. You won’t be disappointed. You’ll leave with a smile on your face – guaranteed! I’m still humming the songs, and definitely “feeling good!”

Eddie takes the show to the Metropolitan Room Nov. 1 and Nov. 22 at 7 pm.

Harold Sanditen
Cabaret Scenes
September 26, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org