Did the American Theatre Wing's Gala on Monday the 19th of May. Don Pippin, David Finck and myself were the musicians backing David Hyde Pierce, Debby Gravitte, Faith Prince and Leslie Uggams in a Tribute to Jerry Herman.
On May 20th, I left JFK with Liza Minnelli, headed for Moscow, which was the first stop on a tour that included Concerts in London, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham and Glasgow.
Here we are in the B1 Club in Moscow. Billy Stritch, me, LM and Chip Jackson's hand on his Bass.
Moscow was pretty amazing. Went to Red Square, many fine restaurants, shopping galore and more traffic than I've ever seen.
As usual, Liza was spectacular...
Then on the 24th, off to London, where we were detained at Immigration for lack of proper Work Visas.
After a sleepless night, the proper papers were secured at 4 pm prior to our Opening at the London Coliseum at 7:30 that same night!
Onstage at the London Coliseum during Soundcheck.
Three Brilliant Shows in London by Liza and the Band and the Boys. The Reviews, which you can find on Google, were Unanimous in their praise for Liza's performance(s). The audiences were standing up after every number and the theatre was like a Power Plant, there was so much energy and electricity in the room.
The same excitement followed us to Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.
Liza was on fire and had the audiences eating out of her hand!
After Glasgow on Friday the 6th, I left at 5:50 am for a flight to Amsterdam. Left Amsterdam at 10:20 am for Detroit. Arrived in Detroit at 1 pm, cleared Customs and drove 200 miles to Roscommon, Mi for a Big Band concert. Arrived at 5:45, rehearsed with the band, (Thanks Bill Sears) and did a concert at 8 pm.
Three standing ovations later, it was all over at 10:15 and I went to my hotel for some rest.
Arrived back in Newburgh, NY at 4 pm and had a great reunion with the lovely Deirdre, my son Seth and his bride to be, Susan. Wonderful finish to a wonderful bit of touring.
Coming up...The Hollywood Bowl Opening Night with Liza, June 20th.
June 28th in Lake Geneva with Maureen McGovern.
July 11 / 13 with the Hartford Symphony and SPECTRUM, my favorite Motown Band.
Then onto Spain and Germany with Liza...August 22/23 with the Lexington Phil, MANCINI MAGIC strikes again!
Until next time...
MB
