Urbane and dapper, Steve Ross is a Manhattan treasure.  “These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)” should add his name to the timeless elegance of “first daffodils," "candle lights," and "a little corner table.”  Welcome again to Steve Ross at the Algonquin Hotel where he revived the cabaret tradition in the legendary Oak Room 30 years ago.

From Ross, a man of quick wit, charm and generosity, audiences expect an eloquent selection of songs, intelligent interpretations and complex piano musicianship.  Check, check, check — Rhythm and Romance features the best songs by the best songwriters, presented by the man who does it best.  Accompanied by bassist Brian Cassier, Ross is a master of delivery, evoking the essence of the manipulative “Have Some Madeira, M’ Dear.”  With enthusiasm he delivers the witty “And Her Mother Came Too” (Dion Titheradge/Ivor Novello) as convincingly as Hammerstein and Kern’s tender “The Folks Who Live on the Hill.”  Jacques Brel’s tale of heartbreak on the beach, “Fanette,” is performed with Mort Shuman and Eric Blau’s English lyrics.  Particularly endearing is Frank Loesser’s “My Heart Is So Full of You” and the disheartening Lorenz Hart lyrics of “Falling in Love with Love” and “Glad to Be Unhappy.”

Ross tosses out bon mots by legendary wits, many who have lived or dined at the Algonquin.  He fits patter and songs into a package of piano arrangements, with rhythms switching and brimming with emotion and snippets of references. A solo piano medley of Edith Piaf's signature tunes built the passion with determined chords and facile finger work.

Courtesy of the Noël Coward Society, Ross wore a deep green velvet smoking jacket once belonging to Noël Coward and posed a question.  What radio and television show featured as its heme song “Some Day I’ll Find You?”  Not surprisingly, someone knew it — Mr. Keene, Tracer of Lost Persons.  This is the Oak Room, after all.

Rhythm and Romance — a program of songs that Steve Ross has helped make into American classics.

Steve Ross continues at the Oak Room through February 12.

Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
January 18, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org