With two bona fide Broadway stars on hand, Maestro Bob Lappin and the Palm Beach Pops returned to the Kravis Monday night to wrap up the final concert series of their 21st season with a program dedicated to the music of the Great White Way. It worked at almost every level and scored big on the sheer strength of the singers.
From the onset, guests Tamra Hayden and David Burnham brought their A-game, raising the bar for the evening. The rousing George M. Cohen medley that opened the show saw the singers playfully trading off each other and wringing every last drop out of the harmonies.
It was Ladies’ Night Wednesday night at the Kravis Center, as Maestro Bob Lappin and the Palm Beach Pops presented Here’s to the Ladies, a near-perfect balance of fine musicianship and top-shelf vocals from guest soloist Christine Andreas.
Entitled “Autumn in New York,” the program featured music by beloved New York artists such as Cole Porter, Andy Williams, Marvin Hamlisch, Billy Joel and others. The Pops was joined by vocalist Michael Andrew, who wowed patrons with his richly styled, Sinatra-like voice.
Andrew, Lappin and The Palm Beach Pops, brought down the house, reaching the concert’s finish line with two quintessential New York melodies, New York, New York, and Stardust.
Palm Beach Pops, soloists offer strong season close with Broadway, Disney theme
Palm Beach Daily News
April 4, 2012
Maestro Bob Lappin and the Palm Beach Pops rounded out their 20th season with a bang Monday night, bringing a delightful two-fold tribute to the Great White Way and what could be called the “Music of the Mouse” to the Kravis...Overall, the combination of an easily accessible theme, featuring exceptional guests soloists, singing from a well-paced set list, accompanied by a stellar group of musicians, made for a strong, satisfying close to the Pops season. Add to that proven formula substantially enhanced production values across the board and you have the kind of cultural experience worthy of the Pops brand; a point of reference for future seasons and a new standard that could help this organization thrive where others have failed. Season 21 for the Pops kicks off in November.
The Palm Beach Pops deliver dazzling tribute to Satchmo
Bob Lappin & The Palm Beach Pops
February 8, 2012
Music reviewer David A. Frye of the Palm Beach Daily News noted today that “The Palm Beach Pops has once again successfully combined some of the best music ever written with some of the finest musicians in the Southeast to create a fun evening in honor of one of the most loved performers of the 20th century.”
Tickets are still available for this exceptional performance that had Kravis Center concert-goers on their feet last night as The Palm Beach Pops closed “an enjoyable evening of true Americana” with a “full-tilt, Dixieland reading of When the Saints Go Marching In…”
Don’t miss your chance to enjoy a fun-filled tribute to the legendary jazz great Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong!
Concerts are scheduled TONIGHT, FRIDAY & SATURDAY, Feb. 8, 10 and 11 at the Kaye Auditorium (FAU) Boca Raton & SUNDAY Feb. 12 at Eissey Theatre (Palm Beach State College) Palm Beach Gardens.
Seats are Still Available — Call 800.564.9539 (FAU) or 561.832.7677 (Eissey) or visit PalmBeachPops.org/armstrong
Clint Holmes, Palm Beach Pops offer wild ride down memory lane
Palm Beach Daily News
January 7, 2012
Clint Holmes returned to the Kravis Center stage Friday to help Maestro Bob Lappin and the Palm Beach Pops continue the celebration of the group’s 20th season. The evening featured a new show based on what singer/songwriter/entertainer does best: working a crowd with songs, stories and schtick, with a friendly persona and commanding vocals through quiet, introspective ballads and brawling big numbers alike.
The Palm Beach Pops continued the celebration of its 20th season Tuesday night at the Kravis with a tribute to two great songwriters: Burt Bacharach and Cole Porter.
The evening presented an interesting premise: combining of the wit of Porter, so far ahead of his time that his songs ring as true today as ever, with the unforgettable melodies of Bacharach, who in the 1960s (with lyricist Hal David) cornered the market on the Great White Way, Hollywood and the AM radio pop charts.
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Tony DeSare, Lynn Roberts, Pops musicians offer satisfying mix
Palm Beach Daily News
November 5, 2011
This “new and improved” Pops hit the ground running this season, bringing back their many strengths from previous years while improving on things that have gotten in the way of a good time in the past. The focus has always been on the music, but this season it seems to be more so than ever.
The mood was set from the very beginning, as maestro Lappin opened the evening by simply introducing guest Tony DeSare for a rousing rendition of Irving Berlin’s God Bless America. The young singer/songwriter/pianist would come back later in the set for a stunning read of the beautiful Two for the Road by Henry Mancini and Leslie Bricusse, and an upbeat take at the keys on Berlin’s I Love a Piano.
DeSare is the real deal, cut from the same cloth as a Connick or a Bublé, but with a style and approach all his own, a natural knack for phrasing that reflects an admitted Sinatra influence and a polished stage presence that belies his age.
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Michael Cavanaugh, Palm Beach Pops create nice balance, powerful concert
Palm Beach Daily News
April 5, 2011
With help from an extraordinary guest soloist, Maestro Bob Lappin and the Palm Beach Pops opened the final program series of their 19th season with a bang Monday night at the Kravis Center.
Special guest Michael Cavanaugh, the original star of the Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp musical Movin’ Out, was on hand with a stellar five-piece band to salute the music of the Piano Man — and when they finally hit the stage in the second act they did not disappoint.
Although the first half was much too long — considering the caliber of the guest scheduled to appear — it was not without merit. A sweet arrangement of Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne’s Time After Time made amends for the clunky and forgettable Lionel Ritchie medley that opened the evening.
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Palm Beach Pops, Clint Holmes homage to Sammy Davis Jr. satisfying
Palm Beach Daily News
March 15, 2011
When singer/songwriter Clint Holmes appeared with the Palm Beach Pops last year, he mentioned in passing that Sammy Davis, Jr. was one of his heroes and that someday he would love to do a tribute. Knowing a sure-fire hit when he saw one, Maestro Bob Lappin made the informal booking for the next season right then and there onstage. Fast-forward to Monday night at the Kravis Center, when Holmes returned to pay homage to his idol in a well-balanced program that was as close to a perfect match of subject, guest artist, material and performance that the Pops has delivered in recent memory.
Holmes then came out with a preview of what was to come, delivering a short medley of Sammy’s signature tunes, including two gems from the Anthony Newley/Leslie Bricusse musical, Stop The World, I Want To Get Off. The Vegas veteran instantly commanded the stage, easily holding his own against the large ensemble on the classic Once In A Lifetime and getting the orchestra and the audience to join in for
