Aug. 24, 2009 -- Marcus Goldhaber, ’00, a Buffalo native whose vocal tone and style are reminiscent of a young Frank Sinatra, returned to Western New York for a concert at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House in April.
Goldhaber has distinguished himself by an intimate approach to straight-ahead jazz that’s drawing attention in New York City. In the last two years, the Fredonia alum has performed at prestigious venues that include the legendary Friars Club and Ritz-Carlton. Goldhaber has also given concerts at the Worldwide Plaza and AOL Time Warner Center at Columbus Square, also in New York.
Goldhaber’s rising stardom has not gone unnoticed in the press. People magazine praised him for a “heartfelt, sometimes heart-breaking, spin on such standards as ‘Someone in Love’ and ‘Honeysuckle Rose,’ finding the soul in each note with his no-frills approach.” Goldhaber’s jazz instincts, according to Jazztimes magazine, rival those of Chet Baker and John Pizzarelli.
After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre in 2000, Goldhaber moved to New York City and worked as an actor before returning to a singing career. He sings the standards of Harold Arlen, Dorothy Fields and Jimmy McHugh, among others, with a modern approach that blends the sounds of yesterday and today, but stays true to that style of music.
November 2008 marked the release of Goldhaber’s second album, “Take Me Anywhere,” on his own record label, Fallen Apple Records. With seven original compositions, the CD introduces Goldhaber as a songwriter, but also includes 10 exciting and fresh arrangements of standards such as: “No Moon At All,” “I Fall in Love Too Easily” and “A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening.”
Viewed as a fine successor to his popular debut CD, “The Moment After,” his new release was given four stars by People. The Jon Davis Trio, who accompanied Goldhaber on the new album, also appeared with him at his Fredonia concert.
While here, Goldhaber gave back to SUNY Fredonia by meeting with vocal, theatre and dance students. He also received a tour of the new, state-of-the-art sound recording studios within the School of Music.
