Asbury Juke Jeff Kazee explores Great Jersey Songbook in ‘Living Room Lounge’ show (WATCH HERE)

by JAY LUSTIG
kazee review

Jeff Kazee on a Facebook Live broadcast.

Piano men of various generations have relied on what’s known as the Great American Songbook — standards written by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, the Gershwins and so on, in many cases for Broadway or Hollywood.

In his April 29 solo show in his “Live From the Living Room Lounge in Astoria, Queens” series on Facebook Live, Asbury Jukes keyboardist and vocalist Jeff Kazee pulled from the Great Jersey Songbook: Songs written by or associated with the Jukes, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi and Frank Sinatra. You can watch it below.

Wearing a Capitol Theatre T-shirt and occasionally joined by dancing and singing members of his family, Kazee performed 10 songs in the hour-long show, ranging from a bluesy take on “All the Way” to an explosive “Born to Run” and a celebratory set-closing version the Jukes classic, “I Don’t Want to Go Home.”

A Juke since the late ’90s and a former touring member of Bon Jovi, Kazee also talked casually between songs and paid tribute to the late Jukes road manager Andrew “Hood” Kafafian, an integral part of the Jukes team for decades. “I’m not going to say anything sad, because he would make fun of me,” Kazee joked.

To watch other installments of “Live From the Living Room Lounge in Astoria, Queens,” visit facebook.com/jeffkazeemusic.

These are the songs that Kazee performed, and you can see the video below.

“That’s Life” (Sinatra)
“Livin on a Prayer” (Bon Jovi)
“Hungry Heart” (Springsteen)
“All the Way” (Sinatra)
“Born to Be My Baby” (Bon Jovi)
“Atlantic City” (Springsteen)
“Wanted Dead or Alive” (Bon Jovi) with short “Midnight Rider” (Allman Brothers Band) intro
“Born to Run” (Springsteen)
“Love on the Wrong Side of Town” (Jukes)
“I Don’t Want to Go Home” (Jukes)

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1 comment

Matt April 30, 2020 - 11:31 am

It’s always great to see Jeff Kazee perform but last night’s in house concert was a grand slam. Your piano playing, your singing and your heart felt tribute to Hood hit home for me. And it’s great to see your dedication and love for your family and their love for you. Stay healthy and keep on rocking. Thanks for the great tunes!!!

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