After a long labor of love, the birth of The Ritz Supper Club took place on Saturday evening, April 24 when the doors opened at Cinzano’s Restaurant in Fairfield, CT, and, for county residents, it proved to be well worth the wait.

Jeffrey C. Williams, host of WVOF’s “At The Ritz” (full disclosure: my co-host for the program) and the county’s longtime cabaret/jazz/big band/swing impresario, worked tirelessly for months to ensure that every “t” was crossed and every ”i’ was dotted and his efforts paid off with a full house and a standing ovation for the dazzling series opener…Tony DeSare!

DeSare, who has played all the major rooms in New York, including an ongoing gig at The Carlyle Hotel’s Bemelmans Bar, was fresh off a successful tour along with band mates Steve Doyle (bass) and Eddie Decker (guitar), and wowed the audience with his “movie star” good looks, creamy smooth baritone, impressive piano virtuosity and easy, engaging manner.

Strolling casually into the room, looking like a page right out of GQ Magazine, DeSare sang Duke Ellington and Bob Russell’s “Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me” as he made his way to the stage. Settled in at the beautiful Yamaha baby grand, he showed why he was the perfect choice to introduce this special kind of New York supper club entertainment.

Not only did his penetrating eyes, with pupils the size of two black marbles, mesmerize the room on ballads like Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen’s “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)” and his own “How I Will Say I Love You,” but he also exhibited a proficiency at the piano on songs like “Autumn Leaves” and Irving Berlin’s “I Love a Piano” that was truly awe-inspiring. Looking ever more comfortable in his own skin, he appears to have the “whole package” and one can only wonder how long it will take for Michael Bublé to have to move over!

Cinzano’s, owned and managed by the Santangeli family and known for its exceptional Pugliese-inspired Italian cuisine, went to great lengths to help Williams make his long-standing vision—to bring New York City cabaret to Connecticut—a reality. With great attention to lighting and sound, their banquet facility became an intimate dining room with candle-lit tables layered around the stage allowing the up-close and personal communication which is the essence of the cabaret experience.

Aside from a few minor kinks in service which will undoubtedly be worked out and improved in time, Williams and Cinzano’s have launched what will hopefully be a very successful cabaret series in the months to come with other top New York headliners soon to be announced.

Finally, a place where fine dining and sophisticated entertainment can be enjoyed right in Fairfield County’s own backyard!

Lynn DiMenna
Cabaret Scenes
April 24, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org