(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Sweet Whiskey will serve up some of the most romantic songs ever written on Saturday, February 13 at Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan. The band's sound blends traditional and international jazz, blues, pop and a splash of country. An all-star lineup from the New York area jazz scene, the band includes John Colianni on piano, Nick Russo on guitar and James Cammack on bass.
They back the vocals of Maggie Worsdale, who was selected in 2009 and 2010 as a top jazz singer in the tri-state area and features in the annual Sinatra Birthday Bash in Red Bank.
Worsdale and Colianni, co-founders of Sweet Whiskey, have worked and toured with stars that put love songs on the map including Bob Hope, George Burns, Mel Tormé, Lionel Hampton, and Les Paul just to name a few.
Though not known for crooning love songs, Bob Hope was the first voice to make the standard "I Can't Get Started with You" by Ira Gershwin and Vernon Duke was first heard in the theatrical production Ziegfeld Follies of 1936 where it was sung by Bob Hope. Fast forward 50 years and Worsdale sang this song to Hope at his 90th birthday celebration!
Worsdale is no stranger to the Algonquin stage, appearing as Bloody Mary in the 2015 production of “South Pacific” and earlier featuring in “Songs & Letters of World War II.”
Colianni has been a force on the music scene since first working with famed bandleader and vibraphonist Lionel Hampton for three years, at the tender age of 19, as Hampton's band pianist. Add five years and six albums as Mel Tormé’s personal accompanist and then being chosen by guitar legend Les Paul to become a part of the Les Paul Quartet and you have an idea of what Colianni brings to the table with musical chops. In the words of Mel Tormé, "he's the best you'll ever hear."
Tickets are available starting at $29 for adults, $26 for seniors and $20 for students and can be purchased online at algonquinarts.org, by phone at 732-528-9211 and at the Algonquin Box Office at 173 Main Street in Manasquan. A $2 per ticket processing fee is added to all tickets.
This concert is sponsored by Judi and Stephan Leone.
Algonquin Arts Theatre Dining Partners including The Mill at Spring Lake Heights, The Blend on Main in Manasquan, and Waypoint 622 in Brielle will be offering special Valentine’s menus for dining prior to the show.