VELVET NOTES AND VINTAGE VIBES
Remember when singers had velvety voices and a smooth style? Even those who don’t certainly enjoyed George Young: Singin’ and Swingin’ at 54 Below on June 19. Young has a deep, rich voice well suited to his repertoire, and an easy style that quickly draws you in.
Falling on Juneteenth, much of the show focused on “Black history and Black excellence.” A few of his songs, like Billy Strayhorn’s “Take the A Train” and Duke Ellington’s “Drop Me Off in Harlem,” paid tribute to America’s longtime center of Black cultural life.
Young, who was a New York City public school teacher and assistant principal, also has a deep belief in the importance of hope. He gave memorable renditions of Billy Taylor’s “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” and “If You Believe,” from The Wiz.
Under Tedd Firth’s musical direction, the evening switched seamlessly from the church (“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “I Must Tell Jesus”) to Broadway and Hollywood (“Tonight/I Could Have Danced All Night,” “ Let’s Face the Music and Dance”). Most of the songs were about love. Young has mastered the ballad, much like a performer he says he greatly admires, Nat King Cole. A number of songs in his repertoire, such as “Mona Lisa” and “Unforgettable,” were made famous by Cole.
Another of Young’s heroes is George Gershwin, who composed the music for Porgy and Bess, which “allows Black artists the opportunity to sing.” One suspects Young’s interpretation of “There’s a Boat Dats Leavin’ Soon for New York” would have greatly pleased the composer.
Young, like all good interpreters of song, often puts his own stamp on what he sings. Backed by Tom Hubbard on bass, Mark McLean on drums and Eugene Ghee on saxophone, he delivered Bernstein’s “Tonight” with a jazzy beat, and many of the ballads leaned strongly towards the blues.
As with his awesome CD of the same name, George Young certainly delivers on his promise– and while Young is singing and swinging, so are we.
George Young: Singin’ and Swingin’
reviewed on July 19, 2025, at 54 Below, 254 W 54th St.
