Toni Ballard & Casey Thomas
reservationsDine With Us.
A Matter of Time is an eclectic array of songs that explore life’s most precious commodity, from a diverse list of songwriters that includes Leonard Cohen, Cole Porter, Sting, Irving Berlin, David Bowie, Leonard Bernstein, Brandi Carlile, Stephen Sondheim, Jason Mraz, Johnny Mercer, and Jackson Browne.
Chicago native Toni Ballard, profiled in Scott Yanow’s book, “Jazz Singers: The Ultimate Guide,” has become a Napoleon Room open mic regular over the past two years. She performed for decades with numerous jazz and big bands, including the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, the Boston Big Band, and the Ryles Jazz Orchestra. In 1984, Toni was one of ten singers invited to perform in New York City at the American Song Stylists Concert, which featured Shirley Horn. She has sung her repertoire of jazz standards in Boston’s best jazz clubs, including the Regattabar, Scullers, Ryles, and the Starlight Roof. Her CD “I’m Your Pal” features special guest, late jazz guitar icon Larry Coryell. A former jazz radio host on WGBH and WICN, her award-winning jazz TV show “Studio 3,” which aired from 1994-2000 on WGMC-TV3 in Worcester MA, is now part of the Jazz History Database.
Worcester native Casey Thomas recently performed a “Spotlight” show in the Napoleon Room. He has been singing for audiences in cities across the country, including Boston, New York, Chicago, New Orleans, and Los Angeles, for over 10 years in a variety of musical styles — rock, blues, soul, trad jazz and cabaret. Locally he has performed at Nick’s Bar in Worcester, The Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham, The Cantab Lounge in Cambridge, and Club Cafe in Boston. Whether breathing new life into a long forgotten standard; mixing rock-n-roll growl with bluesy, emotional bite; or displaying his pure tone on Broadway tunes and power ballads; Casey creates a unique narrative every time — the essence of storytelling through music.
Worcester native Jim Rice is an accomplished music director, arranger, conductor, pianist, and singer of many styles. His impressive range of credits include pianist, music director, and arranger for many Broadway artists, and conductor for several US and European tours. Jim has received critical acclaim for his arrangements, which the Boston Herald called “marvelous” and New York’s Cabaret Scenes described as “sophisticated and richly-crafted.” Half of the remarkably talented duo, the Jim and Val show, who perform regularly at Club Cafe, Jim brings fresh ideas to his stunning arrangements, stellar piano playing, and versatile vocal interpretations of songs from jazz to Broadway to pop.
JOSEPHINE’S in the NAPOLEON ROOM – Boston’s best professionals and tomorrow’s rising stars singing JAZZ, BROADWAY & MADCAP CABARET! Dinner seating starts at 5:00 pm and the one hour show begins at 6:00 pm. RESERVATIONS strongly recommended.