Brown, McGovern and Lemper Head to Le Jazz Au Bar

By Andrew Gans
21 Jun 2004

Three stars of the stage and the recording studio — Ruth Brown, Maureen McGovern and Ute Lemper — will headline Le Jazz Au Bar this year.

Brown, a Tony Award winner for her performance in Black and Blue, will play the new jazz club July 14-25. Brown has entitled her show "The Book of Ruth," which will include such tunes as "5-10-15 Hours," "(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean," "Teardrops From My Eyes" and "Have a Good Time." Brown will be backed by Rodney Jones (guitar), Bill Easley (saxophone, flute), Jesse "Cheese" Hameen II (drums), Paul Ramsey (bass) and Oliver Von Essen (keyboards). Show times are 8 PM Wednesday-Sunday evenings with an additional 10 PM show Saturday nights.

Brown will be followed by Maureen McGovern, Aug. 11-22; Karrin Allyson, Aug. 24-Sept. 5; and Ute Lemper, Sept. 14-19.

Legendary R&B singer Ruth Brown recorded two-dozen hits for the Atlantic Records label. Her Broadway credits include Amen Corner and Black and Blue, earning a Tony Award for her work in the latter. The singer-actress portrayed Motormouth Mabel in the "Hairspray" film, and her other screen appearances include "Under the Rainbow" and "True Identity." Brown was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

Maureen McGovern's performing credits are numerous and varied. She appeared on Broadway in Nine, The Pirates of Penzance and The Threepenny Opera, and her many recordings include the Grammy nominated "The Pleasure of His Company" and the Academy Award-winning song "The Morning After." She was also seen in the films "The Towering Inferno," "Airplane!" and "The Cure for Boredom," and she appeared at the Sundance Theatre in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and Jerry Herman's Dear World.

Ute Lemper made her Broadway debut in the revival of Kander and Ebb's Chicago, and she is known throughout the world for her unique solo concerts that feature an eclectic array of material. She was named Billboard Crossover Artist of 1993-94, and her theatre credits feature roles in Peter Pan, Cabaret and Blue Angel. Lemper's many solo discs include "Ute Lemper Sings Kurt Weill," "Illusions," "Punishing Kiss," "Berlin Cabaret Songs" and "City of Strangers."

Le Jazz Au Bar is located in Manhattan at 41 East 58th Street. Cover charges range from $30 to $40; there is no minimum. Call (212) 308-9455 for reservations.