When this good looking Latin walks on stage at the Metropolitan Room, he’s a bit shy but by the look of his smile, he exudes an enthusiastic and sweet disposition. Richard Malavet opens with a lively swing version of Sammy Cahn/Jule Styne “It’s You Or No One” bathing us in his warm, rich baritone voice that, when you close your eyes, has glimpses of crooners Sinatra, Bennett or Torme.

Richard is a New Yorker born in Spanish Harlem of Puerto Rican descent. He says, “I grew up where Marc Anthony grew up—he was skinny then and he’s skinny now.”

Richard lived in a household with a father who sang in an amateur doo wop neighborhood group and an uncle, King Nando (and his Orchestra), who recorded Latin boogaloo albums in the '60s. He absorbed the varied cultural music from Latin greats (Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri) and American Songbook idols Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRae, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole along with contemporary artists Al Jarreau, George Benson, Roberta Flack and Teddy Pendergrass. Is it a wonder that he gravitated toward performing?  He studied voice at an early age, singing since childhood which has given him the underpinnings we hear in his performance presentation.

Richard’s selection of songs are varied with a nice balance of ballads and up tempo tunes. The inclusion of Spanish songs like “Sabor A Mi” (Alvaro Castillo), “Quiereme Mucho (Criolla/Roig), “Sway-Quien Sera” (English:Gimbel/Spanish:Ruiz) and “Nosotros” (Junco), his encore, are all an asset.  The pairing of “Quiereme Mucho - Love Me a Lot with Ahrens/Flaherty’s “Forever Yours” from Once On This Island is noteworthy.

“Fly Me To The Moon” (Bart Howard) sung as a slow, haunting ballad and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” (Cole Porter) opening a capella, drums only, merging into a swing dominated by drums, are two examples of taking the familiar and making them your own with good arranging.

Although Richard’s voice will carry him a long way, he would do well relaxing more, engaging his audience, especially on ballads, and bring us into his world rather than using the fourth wall. He’s much more at ease when singing up tempo songs as he’s willing to reach out and relate to various audience members. Then we see he’s having fun. He does have a special attachment to “Easy Living” (Robin/Rainger) and the lyrics ‘living for you is easy living…I’m so in love, there’s nothing in life but you.’ That said, I would think there is a need to look into the lyrical interpretation of the songs to gain more inspiration and make them more personal. His pronunciation of lyrics is top notch. We hear every word and syllable. His band is of note with Ross Patterson, Musical Director and Accompanist, Tom Hubbard, bass; David Meade, drums, Beledo, Spanish guitar with Lina Koutrakos, director. We hope to see and hear much more of you Richard!

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
April 22, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org