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

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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