Bobby Short and His Orchestra: Celebrating 30 Years at the Café Carlyle

After four decades of performing, Bobby Short’s elegant and articulate style has not diminished. His urbane flair on vocals and piano, supported by a ten-piece orchestra, infuses new brilliance into Cole Porter gems such as “At Long Last Love” and “Just One of Those Things.”

Short’s love affair with the Great American Songbook is represented by 14 classics, including a stunning rendition of Lil Green’s “Romance in the Dark,” a vibrant version of “Body and Soul” and a buoyant reading of “I Can’t Get Started.” Among the album’s surprises are an inventive conjoining of “Moten Swing” and “You’re Driving Me Crazy” and a medley of “I Like the Likes of You,” “I’ve Got My Eyes on You” and “From This Moment On.” Liner notes by longtime fan Jean Bach, producer of the film “A Great Day in Harlem,” offer insider’s glimpses of both Short and the legendary Cafe Carlyle.

Originally Published June 1, 1998