Crooner Jonathan Karrant Brings 'The Tony Bennett Songbook' to Scullers This Weekend

Self-proclaimed song stylist Jonathan Karrant, who moves fluidly between the jazz and cabaret worlds will be at Scullers Jazz Club this Saturday, October 12, to sing "The Tony Bennett Songbook."

"There is a certain echelon of gay gentlemen that follows the Great American Songbook," oozes Karrant, "so when I go to places like Palm Springs, there are a lot of gay people in the audience." While he is based in Las Vegas, where he performs regularly, Karrant also loves taking quick trips over to California, where he lived for a spell, especially in Palm Springs. Asked if he has a gay following there, he adds wryly, "In Palm Springs, everybody has a gay following."

Las Vegas, a city known for over-the-top Elvis impersonators, Donny Osmond, and lots of scantily clad showgirls (and guys) is an unconventional place for a handsome young jazz singer to call home base, but Karrant, has a logic for it. Born and raised in Arkansas, he moved to New York City, as many young aspiring performers do, where he studied with voice teachers, and performed. But when things plateaued there, he moved to California, where he came to a crossroads, careerwise. "I felt I had outgrown San Diego where I was living, and I hated Los Angeles. I couldn't move back to New York unless I was a millionaire, because life is so expensive there," lamented Karrant. "So, I thought, where else that is entertainment focused could I go? He had been to Las Vegas a few times and thought that just might be the place to settle. "As a jazz crooner, I knew I was a diamond in the rough there," notes Karrant. "In New York, a jazz crooner is a dime a dozen, but there weren't as many of me in Las Vegas."

Karrant has become a prolific performer and recording artist. His album "On and On" hit #4 on the Billboard Jazz Charts. Premiere female jazz vocalists Jane Monheit and Diane Schuur are featured in duets with Karrant on his two latest recordings, "My Christmas Wish," and a unique collection of songs titled "Eclectic."

He has received "New York City Jazz Cabaret Honors," "Best Singer" in the Bravo California Awards and was named one of the top 10 rising jazz vocalists by Downbeat. "A voice, romantic without being cloying, warm but not forced, Karrant carries songs with an emotional weight that reaches your very soul," proclaimed Downbeat, who added, "Just listen to his jazzy makeover of the Beatles' 'In My Life' and hear the yearning in his singing."

Though happily ensconced in Las Vegas, Karrant takes the opportunity each spring and fall to tour the country, which is what brings him to Boston, returning to Scullers, where he has played before, this time to pay tribute to the late Tony Bennett. "I've always been a Tony Bennett fan," gushes Karrant. "He's as American as apple pie or baseball, and he covered so many tunes. He died only recently, so it's an opportunity to honor his legacy. I worked on the arrangements with pianist Danny Green and they reflect how I want them to be. Like 'Rags to Riches,' we arranged as a samba. We do things like that to reflect my musical taste and personality."

Karrant is as choosy with his backup musicians as he is about his arrangements. "All of the gentlemen in the band have worked with Tony Bennett, so that's special," Karrant adds proudly. They include Tim Ray on piano, Marshall Wood on bass, Les Harris Jr. on drums.

Tony Bennett's Great American Songbook repertoire falls right in Karrant's pocket. Karrant grew up in a musical household, with an uncle who had a big band, so he was immersed in that music from an early age, which is also when he began singing, mostly at family gatherings. It wasn't until later in high school when he started singing for audiences. During that time, he was listening to people like Elvis, Frank Sinatra, the Tommy Dorsey Big Band, then later to Carmen McRae, Mel Tormé, Oscar Peterson, Johnny Coltrane and Johnny Hartman.

Contemplating what draws him to a particular song, he describes it is a combination of both the music and the lyrics. "Music is like a good building or a good suit," asserts Karrant. "If it is well built and well-made and can stand the test of time, I like it. If I take a rock song from the '80s, and turn it into a jazz song, it is because the lyrics and melody speak to me, and I arrange it so it can be more timeless and less trendy and more interesting from my perspective. It's a matter of taste."

Jonathan Karrant will perform "The Tony Bennett Songbook" on Saturday, October 12, 7 PM at Scullers Jazz Club, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA 02134. Tickets: $35-$95. For reservations, visit
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