Chestnuts Roasting

Steve March Tormé will sing the songs of his father, ‘The Velvet Fog,’ at the State Theatre Feb. 25.

By: Susan Van Dongen

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Steve March Tormé will sing the songs of his father, ‘The Velvet Fog,’ at the State Theatre Feb. 25.


   Here’s a news flash: the late Mel Tormé was not a fan of rock ‘n’ roll. According to his son, Steve March Tormé, "The Velvet Fog" didn’t object to the aesthetics and lifestyle of the rock ‘n’ roll generation — he just thought the music was boring.
   "Understandably, he wasn’t a big fan of metal or rock ‘n’ roll, that’s not where he came from," says Mr. Tormé. "My father was brought up on Irving Berlin, Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Mercer, great song crafters with interesting chord changes in their work. The standard three-chord rock was not for him."
   The younger Tormé has no qualms about his eclectic taste, which includes everything from Joni Mitchell and James Taylor to Todd Rundgren and the Tubes and, more recently, Allison Krauss and the Dixie Chicks.
   "I get asked that a lot — what’s it like coming from this jazz background," says Mr. Tormé, speaking from his home in Santa Monica, Calif. "Yes, I had a parent who was prominent in jazz and interpreting standards, but I myself don’t always listen to jazz — I sing it."
   And he does an exceptional job. So much so, he and some savvy producers have put together an evening of music where Mr. Tormé sings the songs that made his father famous. In Tormé sings Tormé, he delivers finger-popping versions of famous Tormé tunes like "Lulu’s Back in Town," "Too Close for Comfort" and "Mountain Greenery." The new musical tribute comes to the State Theatre in New Brunswick Feb. 25, featuring a stellar 10-piece band as well as a multi-media presentation — vintage family photos and video with Mel and Steve Tormé singing together.
   "That will help answer the questions I often hear — ‘Mel Tormé has a son who sings? How come I’ve never heard of him? Is he any good?’" Mr. Tormé says. "I get this every time I step on a stage. Fortunately, after the show, people have been very complimentary."
   Mr. Tormé has had a lengthy career in his own right as a songwriter, vocalist and recording artist, and he frequently performs as Steve March Tormé. However, a few years after his father died (in 1999), the concept of a musical tribute was raised.
   "This is a new endeavor," he says. "I was approached about two years ago with the idea. Someone said to me quite frankly, ‘If I book you as Steve March Tormé no one will know who you are, but if you do a tribute to your dad, I can fill the theater.’ The ego side of me said ‘Gee, why do I have to do this?’ but the smart side of me realized it would be a terrific show as well as a nice tribute to my father. He’s not here anymore but he still has a lot of fans out there. Hopefully it’ll evoke a lot of terrific memories for them."
   The songs may be standards but the arrangements are anything but the usual. The elder Mr. Tormé was also a noteworthy arranger, known for completely reframing selections from the Great American Songbook, dressing tired old tunes up with challenging key signatures and daredevil harmonies.
   "They’re great songs with great arrangements by Mel Tormé as well as Marty Paich, two of the best arrangers for music of that time," Mr. Tormé says. "It’s really good stuff, the songs really pop."
   Listen to an old Verve recording of "Too Close for Comfort" and you can hear the imaginative orchestration — utilizing lower brass instruments like tuba instead of a string bass, for example.
   "My father orchestrated for a dectet, which is not your usual big band, so you have to write more cleverly," Mr. Tormé says. "That’s what you have to do when you’re working with just 10 musicians. So, the arrangements are fairly tricky and my musicians have to be good readers and good players. I’ll be bringing my regular rhythm section, which is the engine that drives the show. But I’ve also hired some great horn players from New York to play this show."
   Steve March Tormé was born in New York to Mel Tormé and former model Candy Tockstein, who divorced when he was a toddler. His mother remarried Hal March, a Broadway star and the well-known host of The $64,000 Question. Mr. Tormé became interested in performing at a young age, leaning toward pop and rock heroes like Gene Pitney, the Four Seasons and the Beatles. He had formed his first professional band by the age of 13.
   An avid songwriter, Mr. Tormé has three CDs under his belt as a solo artist, and has appeared at numerous jazz clubs and festivals. His latest CD is The Essence of Love (Frozen Rope Records), a combination of standards and originals.
   "I’ve written a lot of original material but it’s hard to break into the jazz world," he says. "Jazz (radio) programmers seem to want to keep playing the same 200 songs — they’re not interested in originals. But somebody has to write new songs."
   He names Michael Bublé and Peter Cincotti as a few of his current influences.
   "Right now, though, I’m mostly listening to my 11-month-old daughter," Mr. Tormé says. "She has a lot to say."
Tormé sings Tormé starring Steve March Tormé will be performed at the State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, Feb. 25, 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20-$45. For information, call (732) 246-7469. On the Web: www.statetheatrenj.org. Steve March Tormé on the Web: www.stevemarchtorme.com