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The Bob Dorough Trio At Iridium Jazz Club - Sunday Jazz Brunch Buffet

1650 Broadway, Corner of 51st St, NYC
212.582.2121

www.iridiumjazzclub.com

By Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
January 5, 2003

Featured Musicians: Bob Dorough, Piano, Pat O'Leary, Bass, Steve Berger, Guitar. Bob Dorough is a 77 year old, pony-tailed jazz pianist, who is comfortable with folksy Blues, as well as with mood-enhancing Standards. Dorough was Music Director of Schoolhouse Rock. An ABC education series, which taught children, through music, how to multiply, add, and understand history and grammar. He used to invite famous jazz musicians to these programs. The Bob Dorough Trio recently won an appointment to the 2002 Kennedy Center - Department of State Jazz ambassadors program. As a result, they recently performed in Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Asuncion, Quito, Bogotá, and Trinidad.

The Bob Dorough Trio was thoroughly delightful, and their appeal to children, with several educational ballads, such as Conjunction Function, Electricity, and Three is a Magic Number. Dorough sings, in Arkansas style, and sometimes talks, as asides to his audience. He knew names of many guests and seemed to have a regular following. The Trio also played for the adults, and they invited guest singers from the audience to join the performance. In fact, two children, ages 7 and 8, both of whom have appeared onstage at the Met Opera, also sang with the improvisational groups. The Iridium waitresses, many of whom also work upstairs at Ellen's Stardust Diner, also owned by Irving, Ellen, and Ron Sturm, have beautiful singing voices and perform, while waiting tables, both upstairs and downstairs, an engaging diversion.

The seasoned Trio switched leads often, although Dorough is a strong presence, conducting from the rear of his piano. They involved the audience, in the singing of Wily Woman, and everyone enjoyed How Deep is the Ocean… and Baby It's Cold Outside. O'Leary's electric bass and Berger's electric guitar had clean, crisp, and melodic tones. They both blended extremely well with the piano and vocalists. The performance of the Bossa Nova, in Portuguese, by Osi, a guest performer, was sensual and sensitive.

I recommend the Iridium Sunday Jazz Brunch Buffet as a perfect spot to bring a family or friends, prior to a Sunday matinee or film in the Theater District. It's location, at the edge of Times Square, is a short walk from almost any afternoon venue, or an event on its own. The Brunch Buffet is absolutely, without doubt, one of the best I have ever seen or tasted, ANYWHERE. Even on my practically vegetarian and health-oriented diet, there was almost too much from which to choose. Kudos to the Chef, Don Smyer, who includes coffee, tea, and Champagne or Mimosa, with the incredible $19.95 freshly prepared and customized creations. Some of the platters and hot silver-domed bowls include pancakes, waffles, custom omelets, macaroni, French Toast, bacon and sausages, smoked salmon and white fish, a carving station, gourmet fruits and cheeses, paella, Coq au Vin, and bagels and croissants.

Reservations can be made at Iridium Jazz Club, 212.582.2121. Director of Operations is Charles Bowden, and Managers are Dale Linton and Troy May. The future schedules can be seen and tickets ordered online at www.iridiumjazzclub.com.

Grace and Nicholas Sing

Steve Berger, Bob Dorough, Pat O'Leary

Waitresses Maggie and Anna Sing

Deanna Sings

Osi Sings