Category: Press

Completing the cast as the Man in the Saloon is Elijah Rock, who starts as a preening ladies man. But thanks to Freeman Hartley’s direction, Rock avoids becoming the cad who inspired so many blues songs. He’s charming and fleet on his feet and gives a fresh twist to songs written and sung by women, like Cox’s “Wild Women Don’t Have the Blues” and Smith’s “Baby Doll.”

With a name like “Blues in the Night,” Sheldon Epps’ 1980 revue conjures up images of gin-soaked songs of misery poured in out in 4/4 time to a muted trombone.

And there is a fair amount of that in North Coast Repertory Theatre’s new production of the 1980 show, which opened Saturday. But there’s also unexpected humor, joy, tap and swing dancing and charismatic performances from the four-member cast, who are accompanied by an onstage five-piece blues band. Directed by Yvette Freeman Harley with music direction by her husband, accomplished musician Lanny Hartley, the show is a lively and entertaining two-hour ride through the history of the blues.

The four performers alternate singing 25 songs written from the 1920s through the mid-1950s. There’s no dialogue, but the performers each play a different style of blues performer and they sing several numbers together in trios and quartets. All four perform the show’s title song, better known as “My Mama Done Told Me.”

Anise Ritchie is the Lady from the Road, modeled after the famous black women blues singers of the 1920s and ‘30s, including songwriters Bessie Smith and Ida Cox and singer Alberta Hunter, who toured the vaudeville and chitlin’ circuits and specialized in bawdy and done-her-wrong songs. Ritchie has a powerful voice, a great sense of humor and stage presence. She shines most in the numbers “Dirty No-Gooder’s Blues” and “Wasted Life Blues.”

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Three different sides as they focus on the Man in the Saloon played by Elijah Rock. Rock could have stepped from the pages of a 30’s magazine. He totally took us back.

“Blues is easy to play but hard to feel” Jimi Hendrix. Come, feel the music at the North Coast Repertory production of “Blues In The Night.” Conceived by Sheldon Epps in 1980, Blues in the Night delivers ambience for the soul that touches the heart. 

Director Yvette Freeman Hartley comes from a Jazz background. Her father was pianist Charles Freeman. Yvette performed on Broadway in ‘’Ain’t Misbehavin’ before moving into acting. You may remember her as Nurse Halwh Adams on ER for 15 seasons. The Musical Director is Lanny Hartley, and the choreographer is Roxane Carrasco.

Blues In The Night transports us into another era. Set in a run down Chicago hotel in the 30’s, the stage is a nightclub with rooms to the side as the actors remain on stage most of the show. The musical is the journey of three female friends and one snaky male taking us through their love life musically. Torchy love ballads made famous by Bessie Smith, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, Vernon Duke, Gordon Jenkins, Alberta Hunter, and the legendary Ella Fitzgerald delight as 26 beautiful relaxing songs to soothe your soul.

Beyond Fitzgerald’s hit, “Blues in the Night” the songs I enjoyed most were the songs where  the three women blended their magical voices together in a song. Each singing a verse, and coming together for the chorus. ‘A perfect blend of the Blues.

The three females in the show are actresses but any one of them could have been a nightclub headliner back in the day showcasing their own masterful voices. Woman of the world is played by Karole Foreman, the more sophisticated of the group.. Anise Richards played the Lady from the Road who is amazing at weaving her acting with her singing. Then we have Ciarra Stroud who played The Girl with the Date, with the tales from a youthful and more hopeful viewpoint. Three different sides as they focus on the Man in the Saloon played by Elijah Rock. Rock could have stepped from the pages of a 30’s magazine. He totally took us back. Read Full Article Here

The Blues In The Night

North Coast Repertory Theatre

January 14 – February 5, 2023

987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive 

Solana Beach

www.northcoastrep.org

Elijah Rock, a superior singer with a deep baritone voice and a love for the Great American Songbook, is releasing his new four-song EP Swoon. As a jazz-inspired vocalist, he previously had strong success with his first two albums: Gershwin for My Soul and Matters of The Heart.
On Swoon, Elijah Rock’s warm voice and swinging style are matched with some of Nashville’s top musicians, but it is not a country album. Instead, the Nashville players give Rock’s renditions of four beloved standards the feel of Western swing.

Produced and arranged by Steve Dorff, Swoon has the singer accompanied by pianist Jimmy Nichols, bassist Joe Chemay, drummer Steve Brewster, steel guitarist Mike Johnson, and guitarist Andy Reiss. Two songs add Jenne Fleenor on fiddle and the background singing of Kim Keyes and Tania Hancheroff while the great jazz tenor-saxophonist Joel Frahm guests on “The Way You Look Tonight.”

Swoon begins with the Fats Waller hit “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter.” Elijah Rock’s joyful vocal, the tasteful use of Mike Johnson’s steel guitar, and the subtle and soothing utilization of the background singers set the standard for the set.

The singer’s treatment of “The Way You Look Tonight” is reminiscent of Frank Sinatra’s in the way that he sounds comfortably swinging, relaxed, and natural, as if he were thinking aloud during his exuberant vocal.

The philosophical “If I Ruled The World, ” originally from the British musical Pickwick, was introduced to American listeners by Tony Bennett in 1965. Elijah Rock gives the ballad a thoughtful and heartwarming treatment.

Swoon concludes on a particularly happy note with the 1929 hit “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.” Between the vocal choruses there is a tradeoff between steel guitar, guitar and piano. Elijah Rock’s final chorus will have every listener smiling.

Elijah Rock has already had a career full of highpoints and memorable moments while giving one the impression that he is just getting started. Born in Cleveland, he gained early experience as a classically trained soprano as a boy before maturing into a warm baritone singer. Among his accomplishments since then have been developing into a notable tap dancer, hosting his digital entertainment  program The Elijah Rock Variety Show, appearing on Showtime’s TV series Masters Of Sex, writing the men’s handbook The Fine Art Of Romance, winning the NAACP Theater Award for Best Male Equity performer in Breath And Imagination: The Story Of Roland Hayes, and gaining acclaim (along with an Ovation Award Nomination) for portraying Cab Calloway in the musical revue I Only Have Eyes For You.

As a vocalist, Rock is a storyteller dedicated to reviving and uplifting classics from the Great American Songbook while also contributing some of his own timeless originals. Gershwin For My Soul and the consistently romantic Matters of The Heart were important first steps in his solo singing career. His latest accomplishment, Swoon, features him taking four classics and making them his own.

Scott Yanow, jazz historian and author of 12 books including Life Through The Eyes Of A Jazz journalist

PERSONELL 

Arranged and Produced by Steve Dorff

Jimmy Nichols – Piano
Joe Chemay – Bass
Steve Brewster – Drums
Mike Johnson – Steel Guitar
Andy Reiss – Electric/Acoustic Guitar
Kim Keyes – Background Singer
Tania Hancheroff – Background Singer
Jenee Fleenor- Fiddle :

CURB STUDIOS – NASHVILLE, TN
Craig White – First Engineer
Dave Bates – Second Engineer
Elijah Rock and Hall of Fame Songwriter Steve Dorff discuss new recording project in Nashville!

Full Article Here

Elijah Rock had the commanding articulation of Joe Williams, and did a rather credible tap dance in the middle of “I’m Just a Lucky So-And-So.”

What a great refresher of our musical heritage.

Often considered America’s only indigenous art form, jazz was the foundation for blues, R&B, and eventually rock ‘n’ roll. As with much of these art forms, the double entendre and subtle sexual overtones have withstood the test of time, a ready acknowledgment of the fundamental attraction and longevity of the songs.

The well-constructed production is comprised of a quartet of singers and a solid quintet of musicians serving up 26 vintage blues songs, some that you’ll recognize, some you hardly even heard of.

Held together by the most slender of plot lines, the singers deftly assay wonderful tunes by the likes of Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, Harold, Arlington, Johnny Mercer, Billy, Strayhorn and Billie Holiday. The songwriters have attained the vaunted position of essentially never falling from favor. The four singers find themselves in a cheap Chicago hotel in 1938. A few songs were actually first released after that date (the title song in a 1941 film of the same name), but no matter. The mood is consistent and effective.

“Blues in the Night” cast: Karole Foreman, Elijah Rock, Ciarra Stroud & Anise Ritchie (photo by Aaron Rumley)

Productions like this, especially when attended by successive generations, will keep these songs alive, despite a dearth of radio airplay.
Between those seen onstage and the rest of the production team, the degrees of separation to a broad swath of jazz icons are tiny. Ciarra Stroud evokes a twinge of Amy Winehouse in “Wasted Life Blues.” Karole Foreman excels in “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out.” Anise Ritchie was solid throughout. Elijah Rock had the commanding articulation of Joe Williams, and did a rather credible tap dance in the middle of “I’m Just a Lucky So-And-So.” All four harmonized brilliantly. Sheldon Epps conceived and originally directed the production. Perennial kudos to Marty Burnett, now well past 200 set designs.

This is a delightful musical evening, delivered by sterling performers. The show has been extended to February 14.

Tickets available here.

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Rock’s “I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So” radiates charisma and charm, a bright smile, and some snazzy tap footwork.

“Mighty sweet,” like “milk and honey”… Blues in the Night, under the direction of Yvette Freeman Hartley, opened to a standing ovation at the North Coast Repertory Theatre, where it runs through February 12.

Originally conceived and directed by Sheldon Epps, this musical revue, set in a 1930s Chicago hotel, features three women and a gentleman sharing their experiences about love. Told entirely through song, the Woman of the World (Karole Foreman), Lady from the Road (Anise Ritchie) and Girl with a Date (Ciarra Stroud) each lament through the blues how they have been wronged – perhaps, we think, by the Man in the Saloon (Elijah Rock).

The show is performed with a talented onstage jazz band featuring conductor/pianist Kevin Toney, bassist Roy Jenkins, percussionist Danny King, reed player Malcolm Jones, and trumpet player Thomas Alforque. The band caught my eye a few times; the pianist and percussionist in particular lay down an excellent groove and there’s rarely enough bass for me!

Popular tunes in the revue include those by Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Alberta Hunter, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, Ida Cox, Duke Ellington, and Billy Strayhorn, and there are some shining moments. Among them are the titular group number “Blues in the Night,” which kicks off the second act and features lush tone and timbre alongside solid harmonies, “Rough and Ready Man” featuring Foreman with sass, feistiness, and growl to align with the wailing muted trumpet, an irreverent and raunchy “Kitchen Man” by Ritchie, and Rock’s “I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So,” in which he radiates charisma and charm, a bright smile, and some snazzy tap footwork…

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The recent debut of Elijah Rock at the Knitting Factory—a packed benefit for the Greater Idaho Alzheimer’s Foundation, introduced a major talent to the Treasure Valley. Also present at the show was photographer Chris Wethered, whose photos The Boise Beat is pleased to present along with some words about the show by editor Ed Simon. Elijah Rock’s performance at the Knitting Factory with a nine-piece band filled the room with many who enjoyed listening to Elijah, singing his renditions of many of the popular tunes from the Great American Songbook. This was the era of music that included many hits by writers and composers such as the Gershwins, Irving Berlin and many others from the 1920s to the 1960s. The era also included many of the top movie songs from the era, as well as songs from several Broadway musicals. The Great American Songbook also gained popularity from performers such as Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole; and even new singers such as Rod Stewart and Linda Ronstadt. Finally, new and old combined to present many tunes with the duo of Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga.

Elijah Rock sang to a diverse audience, from millennials to seniors. All seemed thrilled by Elijah’s smooth-as-silk voice. With the Great American Songbook, the trick is to create your own version of these classic songs, while still paying homage to those who have not only performed them before, but turned them into the Standards we enjoy today. Elijah proved that he understood that, bringing his own touch to these songs without destroying the feeling that others have brought to them. For that alone, he is worth a listen. Like many of the true singers before him, Elijah’s talent includes the ability to pick just the right songs to suit his outstanding voice.

Elijah Rock will bring his band to the Sapphire Room in the Riverside Hotel on December 3^rd. The debut show, an evening entitled Home For The Holidays, should be another excellent performance. Elijah’s popularity has resulted in the Sapphire Room being already sold out, but there are still opportunities to see Elijah Rock online through many YouTube videos as well as through his website. Elijah’s show at the Knitting Factory showed his range of tunes that he performs; and the audience in the packed Knitting Factory concert hall was won over by his tasteful interpretations of many classic tunes. Home For The Holidays should bring many beloved holiday tunes to the upcoming show, and bring many new fans to Elijah Rock’s performances. Elijah Rock has been getting some excellent press, about his new hit single, If I Ruled The World, and articles for the LA Jazz Scene, EJazzNews.com; and author Scott Yanow.

For an upcoming event, Elijah will be Headlining the Boise Epilepsy Foundation Gala on Friday, November 11th, 2022. For info: EFI Annual Gala 2022 | Auction Frogs

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The finer points of romance are a too often overlooked art…but with triple threat singer/dancer/actor Elijah Rock making his Boise debut at the Knitting Factory Boise, they are ever in bloom and on the rebound. Rock will be Headlining his American Songbook show “Our Love Is Here To Stay” on Friday, September 23rd with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Alzheimer’s Association. “When I had to transition my father to assisted living due to his recent diagnosis with dementia last year, I started looking for ways to bring awareness to this condition,” says Rock.

Rock has teamed up with his fiancé and longtime Boise resident, Lesley Jacobson to produce this posh red carpet/black tie event. Jacobson says, “We will be transforming the Knitting Factory Boise into a super club atmosphere reminiscent of The Cotton Club with tapas, drinks, and dessert. We thought this would be a special offering to our guests and seniors where they get to dress to the nines and enjoy an elegant evening of classic entertainment” 

Jacobson has had an illustrious career serving the senior living community as an Executive Director of Morning Star Senior Living. In September she will be taking the helm as Executive Director of Cornerstone Memory Care. “My love and passion for this community of seniors continues to inspire me” says Jacobson “And I realized that the music Elijah performs is the perfect genre of music for the seniors who grew up listening to these timeless songs.”

 Long dedicated to upholding and aligning himself with the first-class carriage and aesthetic of timeless entertainment, American Rock has long made his mission clear of keeping the proud traditions and legacies of The Great American Songbook not just alive…but vibrant. The Legendary Tony Bennett recently exalted Rock by saying, “Keep on singing and keep this beautiful music alive!” Other critics have applauded Rock by saying,

“ROCK’S SWINGING STYLE AND LARGE VOICE RECALL TONY BENNETT, FRANK SINATRA AND NAT KING COLE OF THE 1950’S WITHOUT CLOSELY COPYING ANY OF THEM.” -SCOTT YANOW/ LA JAZZ SCENE

His deep baritone voice was previously featured on his debut album “Gershwin For My Soul”. For his second CD “Matters of The Heart” as a leader, Rock continued his crusade to revive songs from the Great American Songbook while also contributing a pair of originals. Rock’s single release of “All I Need is The Girl” reached #1 on the World Indie Music Charts and #3 on the European Indie Music Charts!

Currently Rock is soon to release a string of Songbook recordings which infuse a country western feel arranged and produced by Hall of Fame Songwriter and Producer Steve Dorff, who has penned over 20 Top 10 hits for pop and country artists around the world, including Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Blake Shelton, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers and more.

100% of the benefit’s proceeds will go to Alzheimer’s Association’s Greater Idaho Chapter. Adrean Cavener, the Executive Director of Alzheimer’s Association- Boise says, “We jumped at the opportunity to join Lesley and Elijah for this extraordinary benefit because of their compassion for seniors with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, along with Elijah’s amazing talent which we welcome as a new resident of Boise.”

While considering local venues, Elijah and Lesley thought Knitting Factory Boise would be the perfect fit. Special Events Manager Andrea Lucas says” This event will have the feel of an intimate private evening coupled with an exclusive public concert. We love the idea of giving back to the community with such entertainer as Elijah Rock, where we get to transform our venue into a swanky supper club. This is going to be super exciting!”

For sponsorship packages, please contact Lesley Jacobson at 208.821.4028. Tickets will be on sale in mid-August.

FOLLOW EVENT INFORMATION HERE!

 Event:  OUR LOVE IS HERE TO STAY

When:  Friday, September 25th

Time:   7pm-11pm

Where: Knitting Factory Boise 416 S 9th St, Boise, ID 83702

www.bo.knittingfactory.com 

***Formal Attire Strongly Encouraged***

(April, 2022 / Harlem, NY) The World Famous Cotton Club, Harlem’s legendary nightclub where the well-heeled dined, danced and swung the night away to the likes of Duke Ellington, Lena Horne and Cab Calloway, is returning in grand style on Saturday night, May 14, 2022 for two shows, 8pm and 10pm. 

 Where the original club in its 1920s-1930s heyday was located on 142nd Street & Lenox Ave., the present location sits on 125th Street.  And, when this new launch opens, the headliner will be all-around entertainer Elijah Rock, a singing and dancing firestorm who has long made his mission clear of keeping the proud traditions and legacies of the music not just alive…but vibrant. 

 Duly, Elijah Rock will officially become “A New Face of The Cotton Club.”  

“The opportunity to open and headline at The Cotton Club – the historical space where so many of my greatest inspirations graced the stage – is a dream come true,” Rock states. “It’s also a homecoming. I lived on 127th & Morningside for 10 years, mere blocks way!  I am thrilled to be working with entrepreneur/promoter Charles Piazza to extend the legacy of The Cotton Club and ventures across the globe.”

Assessing his gifts, one major outlet praised Rock thusly, “IT TAKES A CERTAIN KIND OF ARTIST THESE DAYS TO CARRY ON THE TORCH PASSED ON FROM THE LIKES OF NAT “KING” COLE, FREDDIE COLE, BILLY ECKSTINE AND JOE WILLIAMS.” –JAZZ WEEKLY
A torch-bearing interpreter of The Great American Songbook, Elijah Rock has been making his mark as an entertainer based in Las Vegas where he headlines top showrooms, starred as the lead vocalist in Vegas! The Show at Planet Hollywood, and released his acclaimed albums Gershwin For My Soul and the recent, Matters of The Heart.”  “Winner of an NAACP Theater Award for his lead in “Breath and Imagination: The Story of Roland Hayes,” Rock also portrayed Cotton Club legend Cab Calloway in the musical “I Only Have Eyes For You,” earning an Ovation Award nomination. 

“Harlem will love this new grandiose opening of The Cotton Club,” Elijah enthuses. “When I headline the grand opening black tie/red carpet event, I will be backed by a 10-piece band led by Brooklyn’s own highly respected reed man Lou Caputo (Bobby Short, Lou Rawls, The Temptations, Bobby Sanabria) and reflective of my generation – a group of mixed gender and mixed race younger and older players.  I’ll be singing repertoires from my extensive big band book and, of course, I will have a Duke Ellington medley. It’s going to be Uptown New York…with a splash of my spin on Las Vegas.”

John Beatty, long time President and CEO of The Cotton Club, has given his full blessing for this spectacular event and continuance of the hallowed Harlem venue.  On this resurrection of Old WorldNYC Splendor, The Cotton Club’s promoter Charles Piazza shares, “Shows are going to be upscale, formal attire in a New York evening destination spot featuring various styles of live music for dancing – Jazz, show music, vocal stars and top lounge performers.  I originally had shows booked for early2020 – pre-COVID – but, everything was shut down.  We’re finally comfortable enough to take it off hold.  Our premier show will be Elijah Rock.  Poring over his website and YouTube clips, I was knocked out by his talent and the ‘full package’ image he projects.  I knew immediately, Elijah Rock would be “the only one to launch this re-opening of The Cotton Club.”

DESPERATE MEASURES is a ‘Madcap Musical Melodrama’ at North Coast Repertory Theatre

“Rock brings authority and strategy to the Sheriff, with a great voice that makes “Stop There” into a show-stopping number.”

NORTH COAST REP PRESENTS “DESPERATE MEASURES”

“Award winning Elijah Rock plays Sheriff Martin Green and has a booming baritone voice shown in the songs “That’s How It Is” and “Stop There.” The Sheriff even sneaks in a shot at the recent Arizona voter issue problem which has the audience applauding.”