"Have You Met 'Mr.' Jones?" He comes from a show business family. His father, Allan Jones, was a singer with a super hit song, "The Donkey Serenade," and his mother, Irene Hervey, was an actress. Their Hollywood home was a hub for show biz folk, popping in and out, singing around the piano and such. You must know this Mr. Jones, the winner of two Grammys in the early 1960s, "Lollypops and Roses" and "Wives and Lovers," the singer who Judy Garland called, "The best jazz singer in the world" and Barry Manilow claimed is, "one of the best singers of our time."

I'm speaking, of course, about Jack Jones, who blends a strong shot of jazz with Las Vegas glamour at the Algonquin Hotel Oak Room. Celebrating 50 years in show business, Jones' show opens with a video presentation showing his appearances with people who need no IDs, like Sinatra, Durante, Ed Sullivan and even a glimpse of the saucy side of Peggy Lennon. Remember her?

Jones entered the business as a silky baritone with a potent voice, a handsome face and great hair. He still has it all; he is handsome, poised and polished. Beyond that, the man's vocal chops are remarkable. As the song says, he is "A number one, top of the list, king of the hill." While a bit raspy around the edges, his tone is more nuanced in its interpretations than it was yesteryear, remaining true to the lyrics even while swinging with confidence and exploring new ways with old tunes. "Just One of Those Things" goes into an embroidered waltz time and "Just in Time" sways in bossa time. Brian Wilson's "God Only Knows" becomes a hymn built upon chords, a piece of art.

The ranginess is evident right off with "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" sweeping around the octaves yet remaining unabashedly romantic. Jones' lower tones are sultry and confident and he reaches falsetto highs for some dazzling endings. Also striking is his vocal control, holding notes past the point of no return, and hesitant pauses for lyrical drama.

Once upon a time, Jones was more aloof in the small clubs, but he is now an easy host of his party, greeting tables from one corner of the room to the other, singing to women, kissing some hands and shaking some others'. A sense of humor and entertaining anecdotes link an eclectic song list that lasts well over an hour.

Singing, "Here's to Life," Jack Jones salutes his career of musical history, 50 years of worldly wisdom. This Jack is a master of at least one trade -- singing. Don't wait to say, "I saw him back then." Young performers and all music lovers, hear this -- you have a chance to see a legend right now, up front and more personal than you might think.

Jack Jones is at the Oak Room thorugh September 20.

Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
September 10, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org