Singer holds ‘A Collective Cy’

Jeff Harnar initially performed a show dedicated to Cy Coleman in 2006 in Michael Feinstein’s New York City club, which was then at the Regency Hotel.

So, it’s only fitting that he brings the show to another Feinstein club after the release of his album.

“A Collective Cy: Jeff Harnar sings Cy Coleman” is set for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8-9 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. 

“It’s meaningful to me because the show was born at Feinstein’s in New York,” he said. “We had hoped to record it (in 2006), but the planets didn’t align until this year. It’s really been a wonderful experience for me to revisit these songs. The first time I did these songs I was in my 40s, and now I’m in my 60s, so these songs are profoundly more meaningful to me at this stage of my life.”

Harnar said he brought the Coleman tribute show back two years ago, and last year he performed it at the Birdland Jazz Club in New York City. 

“That was the impetus to make the recording finally happen, and obviously the money appeared, too,” Harnar said. “That was what was missing in 2006. A very generous executive producer appeared and made this album possible.”

Harnar said nearly all the songs on the album are in the show.

“There are some songs that belong in a live performance as opposed to what I hope is an easy-listening album,” Harnar said.

The album includes duets with Ann Hampton Callaway and her sister, Liz Callaway, and Nicholas King.

Harnar said he will sing different duets with his music director Alex Rybeck during the show at Feinstein’s. “In June, Alex and I celebrated 40 years since our first cabaret act together,” Harnar said. “This album is also a celebration of 40 years working together to memorialize these particular arrangements.”

Harnar said Coleman was a musical chameleon.

“He wrote in so many different styles for all the different Broadway shows he wrote,” Harnar said. “There is a lot of variety and, of course, his stand-alone pop hits like ‘The Best is Yet to Come’ and ‘Witchcraft.’”

Coleman died at age 75 in 2004.

“I wish Cy Coleman was alive to hear me sing the album,” Harnar said. “He did come hear me sing in 1998 at a club in New York. When I sat down with him after the performances, he said, ‘Your professionalism made me weep.’ I really hope he feels (that way) about this album.”

For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.