Piano Bar in NYC - The Rum Bar and Karen Brown
Last Saturday night, a friend of ours had some visitors from outside the city, and we asked to meet at The Rum Bar for a "fun night." and one night was fun!
The Rum Bar is located in the lobby of the Hotel Edison, just behind Broadway at 47th Street. Although I am not familiar with the facilities of the hotel and I understand the place has many they are proud of-I am well aware of the Rum Bar, because over the years I spent quite a few nights there.
For those of you who ask Perhaps that is why I write this piece, let me in your mind at ease: I am in no way connected, get paid or receive gifts the hotel or the bar. To inform my readers What is an hour from New York is fine, is my motivation.
Two sections were immediately noticeable as you walk into the joint, the largest piece of real estate belonging to the Long Bar, the altar, where serious worshipers of Bacchus offer not only their libations, but also that they are disappearing faster than I can change channels with a remote control. A piano / organ occupies the remains smaller space.
I'll talk about it: the section of piano-bar.
Karen Brown, the musician resident pianist and organist gifted, plays and sings about any song anyone can think and demand. His repertoire is simply extraordinary. And if she knows not a song by heart, she'll dig his music books indexed and soon it will produce leaves. Since I do not sing, I almost Observer and enjoy watching Karen respond to requests and those who want to sing.
In addition to a prodigious musical memory, Karen seems to be endowed with memory and the name of "facial recognition" virtues because it is never a bad name.
For a while, she sang the crowd favorite, which will by Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Rogers and Hammerstein songs from the Broadway Show, and then to more contemporary songs made famous by Sinatra, Streisand, Tony Bennett, Vic Damone, Patsy Klein, Elvis Presley, etc.
Around 10 am, riders with some real celebrities in big-name part of Broadway beginning at filter through to regale the audience with some of their own personal favorites.
Last Saturday night I had the pleasure of listening to Sam the Drummer, "who not only sang some oldies, but also told a few jokes with such a perfect performance that would have shamed Jerry Seinfeld, or even Jay Leno. And if I mention that Sam is 89 years younger? Who cares? The man showed the younger that laughter and music can do to the soul and body! Anyway, for anyone to follow him would have been hard going indeed. His wife followed him, and she excelled! She sang some delightful comic songs that were even more hilarious jokes that Sam's.
As I went around and mingled a bit, I met many people from Europe: a couple from Wales, a group of London and another from Norway. And of course there was a quota people in Chicago who were drowning their sorrows away having lost their bid for Rio de Janeiro for the 2012 Olympics.
For price a few beers and drinks (no lid), the New Yorkers and visitors can have a great time. The Rum Bar is a smoke-free installation and safe started. No worries if you and the people stronger and disagreeable, the waiter-Thai, who also sings the way will escort them.
For 14 years, the lovely Karen Brown has entertained audiences of the faithful five nights a week between 9am at 1h30 Wood-wall bar is perfect for this kind of entertainment open mike. Even if you do not sing, soon you will participate and mouth "Crazy," "Fly Me to the Moon" or "The Girl from Ipanema".
Whether you're an American or a visitor from other lands, and are coming to New York City, and if you ever want to see and hear a woman's ear Absolute arrived at the Rum Bar: Karen Brown will welcome you. Just make sure you tell him Marc sent you.
About the Author
Retired. Former investment banker, Columbia University-educated, Vietnam Vet (67-68).
For the writing techniques I use, see Mary Duffy's e-book: Sentence Openers.
To read my book reviews of the Classics visit my blog: Writing To Live
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