In celebration of the release, the award-winning composer-lyricist offered a special one-night-only event as part of "Broadway at Birdland," the weekly concert series at the legendary jazz club, Nov. 7 at 7 PM.
Here is a look at the event:
"Most of my songs are part of a larger story," said Walker in a statement. "They're from musicals I've written, musicals I'm writing or musicals I'm going to write. For this album, I've chosen thirteen of those songs and embraced that you'll be hearing them 'Out of Context.' As isolated moments of joy, defiance, sorrow, realization and love you might not know exactly how the characters got there, but I think you'll recognize where they are."
The "Out of Context" concert features performances from Lauren Kennedy (Spamalot), Peter Friedman (Twelve Angry Men), Kenita Miller (Xanadu), John Tartaglia (Avenue Q), Julie Foldesi (South Pacific), Noah Galvin, Andy Karl (9 to 5), Andy Mientus, Jim Stanek (Lestat) and Betsy Wolfe (110 in the Shade).
The concert also featured Walker on piano, Michael Croiter on drums and percussion, Brian Koonin on guitar, Mary Ann McSweeney on bass, Claudia Chopek on violin and Clay Ruede on cello. In addition to Friedman, Galvin, Karl, Mientus and Stanek, the CD includes performances by Cheyenne Jackson (Xanadu), Kelli O'Hara (South Pacific), Rachel York (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Michael Arden (Big River), Lisa Howard (9 to 5), Anne L. Nathan (Sunday in the Park With George), Kate Wetherhead (Legally Blonde), Telly Leung (Godspell), Kerry O'Malley (Into the Woods) and Natalie Venetia Belcon (Avenue Q).
The album was produced by Michael Croiter and Michael Patrick Walker.
Birdland is located at 315 West 44th Street in Manhattan. For more information and reservations, call (212) 581-3080 or visit www.birdlandjazz.com.
For more information on the "Out of Context" CD, visit www.YellowSoundLabel.com or www.michaelpatrickwalker.com.