Plenty of substance was on display in
Klea Blackhurst’s recent sold-out performances at Joe’s
Pub celebrating the release of Autumn in New York: Vernon
Duke’s Broadway, her smashing new Ghostlight Records
album. Best known for her award-winning Ethel Merman tribute
show, Blackhurst is an incredibly polished performer who combines
the power of belters like Karen Mason with the biographical
nuance of performers such as Mary Cleere Haran, all with her
own comedic vim and verve. Duke, who wrote standards such
as “April In Paris” as well as the score for Cabin
in the Sky, worked with most every lyricist you could imagine,
and Blackhurst’s terrific disc featuring his works is
a treat. If you missed this last go-round, be sure to catch
her inevitable return engagement.
