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The local cultural scene offered something for every taste: Chris Botti mesmerizing jazz lovers at the Kravis, Frank Ferrante channeling the one and only Groucho at the Four Arts, and back-to-back bluegrass concerts, all of which did not disappoint.
But two nights stood out as extra special for completely different reasons. I expected the fabulous Marilyn Maye to be just that — and she delivered in spades. But I was convinced the pairing of singer/songwriter Clint Holmes and The Palm Beach Pops could only be — well, perhaps a little on the cheesy side. I could not have been more wrong.
Best known for his 1974 pop hit, Playground in My Mind, Clint Holmes has since evolved into a polished performer and Vegas veteran who can handle just about any assignment — including fronting The Palm Beach Pops Feb. 8 on the Kravis Center stage.
On a night when Maestro Bob Lappin and The Palm Beach Pops — with guest pianist-arranger Mike Renzi — were arguably at the top of their game, Holmes held his own with the large group through a well-paced program of show tunes, big band and pop selections, easily segueing from one to the next in a friendly, approachable fashion.
Among the highlights were a mini-suite from West Side Story, along with numbers from an autobiographical musical, My Own Song, that has since debuted to positive reviews.
A killer take of Sammy Davis Jr.’s What Kind of Fool Am I? sparked a return engagement next season for a full-blown Sammy tribute that should be a real treat.
For local music lovers, life has truly been good this year.