The Jazz Singer: Palumbo Brings Back 'Martini Music'

In 1993, when Steven Palumbo was 21, he tried out for a band. It was to be the singer's first professional gig, with a Providence-based Motown quarter called Twyce. For the audition, Palumbo planned to sing Luther Vandross' "Here and Now" and Jeffrey Osborn's "In Your Eyes."

"Just as I was about to start singing the second song, guess who walked in the door of the venue?" Palumbo said. "Jeffrey Osborne! It turned out that he and Manny [from the band] were friends since childhood and Osborne decided to surprise Manny that night. It was unreal. Thankfully, I got the job."

During his seven years with Twyce, Palumbo, who now lives in Providence, RI, had the chance to perform with such names as Tavares, Roberta Flack, The Temptations and Sean Paul. He also does stints on cruise ships, this month sailing to Aruba, the Bahamas and Curacao on Holland America.

But in the meantime, he'll be in Northborough this weekend, playing 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday at . Northborough Patch caught up with him recently for a question and answer session.

Northborough Patch: Do you play solo or with a band?
Steve Palumbo: I am a solo artist at the moment. Occasionally, I perform with the Strictly Sinatra Big Band, which is usually fronted by the great Sinatra guy Mike Dutra.

Patch: How do you describe your sound/your show?
Palumbo: I always describe my sound as “Martini Music." It’s a sound that makes you feel good and has an element of maturity and sexiness to it—like a good martini. Think of the James Bond films when Sean Connery played Bond. “Shaken. Not stirred." Classic!   

Patch: Do you have any CDs?
Palumbo: Over the past several years, I have recorded three CDs. The first is Timeless Classics. It contains some of the greatest songs ever written, including Jerry Vale’s “Mama” and Bocelli’s “Time to Say Goodbye." The second CD is More, which is the title track and was made famous by Bobby Darin. On that one I perform jazz standards by Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr. as well as impressions of Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong and Natalie Cole. The third CD is my tribute to Dean Martin. I perform as Dean Martin in a Rat Pack show and this CD is my homage to Mr. Martin. I also write songs and have recordings of my original material.

Patch: What makes you gravitate toward playing the style of music you play?
Palumbo: This is where I’m most comfortable. It’s where I fit in and I think I do it pretty well. The lyrics of these songs were written by men and women who studied classic poetry; the words mean something! In order to sell each song, my phrasing, my breathing, my body language all have to be right. It’s a challenge and that’s also what I love about this music.  

I’m a very laid back person but also very passionate about certain things, especially this type of music. To convey the spirit of these songs in the way that they were intended requires, I think, both relaxation and passion. With these songs I can take my time.  There should be no rush to a good song or to a romantic evening. They go hand-in-hand.

Patch: What do you like listening to these days?
Palumbo: I’ve been listening to Sade, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, some hip-hop, older stuff. I listen to a lot of Chet Baker, Mel Torme and Lou Rawls’ jazz renditions. I love listening to Shirley Horn’s “Where Do You Start”—but not often. She literally brings me to tears with that song. 

Patch: Who are your inspirations?
Palumbo: Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett! Sinatra, of course, and any vocalist who sings from the heart.