My favorite thing in the world is people singing in harmony (especially when I get to be one of them), so I've been working on integrating more ensemble singing into my concerts. What that means on a practical level is that, while I have often invited along a guest vocalist, I'm now inviting along two. And now, in addition to being extraordinary acting and singing soloists, they both have to be amazing at executing my vocal arrangements. That's a high bar for a singer to clear, but I've gotten to collaborate with some true masters as I've built this show, and this performance at Montclair was an amazing opportunity to take this lineup out for a spin.
On yet another cold winter night in a very long series of cold winter nights, a sold-out crowd welcomed us with great warmth to the Kasser Theater, and we in turn treated them to a blisteringly hot set. Ferocious sax solos from Alison, a great bass feature from Sam, a particularly bananas solo from me on "Voice of My Generation," and then the powerhouse performances from Nasia and Ashley, with special mention to Nasia's chilling "You Don't Know This Man" and Ashley's heartbreaking and super-creepy "Mary Mallon."
We're bringing this show (with some small changes to the set list) to Florida next week, with shows on March 12 at the Amaturo Theatre in Ft. Lauderdale and two shows on March 13 at Judson's Live in Orlando! (Those will be our first shows with Carrie St. Louis on the soprano part!) And then we come to Indianapolis on May 29 & 30 with Nasia and Ashley!
Thanks to everyone who came out to Montclair and sang along with us! And special thanks to Wiley Hausam for inviting us to that great campus.
Hope from How We React and How We Recover (2018)
KPR (2022)
NASIA & JRB: The Shed Shack from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (2024)
Shiksa Goddess from The Last Five Years (2002)
ASHLEY: Another Life from The Bridges of Madison County (2013)
NASIA: I Can Do Better Than That from The Last Five Years (2002)
It All Fades Away from The Bridges of Madison County (2013)
Boat from Less (2021)
ASHLEY: Mary Mallon (2021)
NASIA: You Don’t Know This Man from Parade (1998)
The Voice of My Generation from The Connector (2024)
ASHLEY: Cassandra from The Connector (2024)
Sanctuary from Coming From Inside The House (2022)
NASIA: Zohra’s Song from Less (2023)
The Western Wall from The Connector (2024)
Wait Til You See What’s Next from How We React and How We Recover (2018)
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All Things In Time from How We React and How We Recover (2018)
JRB: piano & vocal
Ashley Pérez Flanagan: vocals
Nasia Thomas: vocals
Alison Shearer: flute, saxes and percussion
Jamie Eblen: drums, percussion and guitar
Hidayat Honari: electric and acoustic guitars
Sam Minaie: electric and upright basses
Collage photo: Alexandra Thelan Blackowski
Band photo: Kat Cartusciello