A Rabbi and Cantor that has conducted High Holiday Services at the famous downtown Greenwich Village nightclub The Bitter End in NYC, Steve Blane reinstates his legacy as a recording artist with the 2023 release of Songs For New York Lovers. The 13-track, 41-minute album is an upbeat showcase for Steve’s sophisticated approach to contemporary cabaret - jazz vocal. More than just an impressive singer-songwriter and guitarist, Steve makes a cool spokesperson for the tristate jazz scene that still emanates out of the New York City metro area. The theatrical, Broadway-flavored aspect of Steve Blane’s upbeat pop-jazz approach to modern music shouldn’t be understated and the fact that he has nine albums under his own name makes the point that he is a major talent.

The composer of all the music and lyrics on Songs For New York Lovers, Blane is backed up by a first-rate band including Jack Glottman (piano), Kevin Hailey (bass), Michael Johnson (tenor sax) and Frank Levatino (drums). Although the album is steeped in the classic sound of well-known NYC-area jazz-pop crooners like John Pizzarelli, Barry Manilow and even a touch of Frank Sinatra, there’s also something quite contemporary about Songs For New York Lovers. There’s even a couple of curious songs like “The Rabbi’s Tzitzit” and “Shma” that will appeal to traditional Jewish music fans. Based on the strength of Blane’s robust voice and his memorable songs, not to mention the fine band on hand, Songs For New York Lovers offers an excellent introduction to Steve Blane and the album clearly will find across-the-board interest among fans of contemporary jazzy vocal sounds.