If you aren’t familiar with Casey Abrams, then you must have been living under a rock for the past eight years. Abrams is a long-time member of the Post Modern Jukebox Collective (“PMJ”) and a former American Idol finalist. Since finishing in sixth place on Season 10, Abrams has been busy writing and recording music with Concord Music (along with PMJ and fellow American Idol contestant Haley Reinhart) and Chesky Records, the label that just released his new album, Jazz, as well as his previous one, Put a Spell on You. Abrams had previously recorded the full-length Casey Abrams and the EP Casey Abrams and The Gingerbread Band for Concord.
The CD release show for Jazz was held at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s, one of the hip and growing music venues in the Valley. Not only did the label treat us to a wonderful dinner, but they also gave us VIP status, which included the show plus a Q&A and meet and greet with Abrams afterwards. Needless to say, it was one of the best show experiences we have ever had.
Abrams is one of the best and most gifted musicians we have ever had the opportunity to review. He is also probably the best pure whistler we know of. His face is so expressive and he has a truly natural chemistry that instantly connects him with his audience. He was joined at various times during the evening by Tony Pulizzi, a gifted guitarist that Abrams “stole” from the Idol house band, trumpeter extraordinaire Ilya Serov, tenor and alto saxophonist and high-school friend Jacob Scesney, vocalist and amazing trombonist Aubrey Logan, PMJ founder and pianist Scott Bradlee and the ever-lovely and talented Reinhart.
There was never a dull moment throughout the 90-minute set, which flew by all too quickly. Among the incredible songs included in the set were “I’ve got the World on a String,” “Need Your Love so Bad,” “One Note Samba,” “Hound Dog,” “You are so Beautiful,” “The Girl From Ipanema,” “Don’t you Worry ‘Bout a Thing,” “Why Don’t you do Right,” “Fly me to the Moon” (featuring vocals from Serov), and “Cry me a River” (featuring vocals from Reinhart). They wrapped up the set with a stunning rendition of “L-O-V-E,” which involved everyone who had previously shared the stage during the night. Every single musician turned in a Grammy winning performance, and it was a pure joy to have experienced the show.
After the show, we got the chance up with old friend Lisa Goe, who was in attendance with her friend, Katie Welch (part of the cast of I Know What You Did Last Summer: the Unauthorized Musical, playing in June at Three of Clubs), as well as have time to chat with all of the musicians, including Abrams. This was a night we will not soon forget and we can’t wait to have the chance to review the actual CD after Fringe is through.
Thanks to Abrams’ mom, Pam for being a great host, and to Lora from Chesky who set the whole night up.