On September 5, 2025, the subterranean sanctuary of Jazz Club New York shimmered like a scene from another era. Beneath the gilded arches and glimmering chandeliers, the space recalled the hushed glamour of an Art Deco speakeasy—a place where time dissolves, where velvet banquettes and candlelit tables conspire to make every note feel illicitly treasured. Even in a city famed for exclusivity, this venue, one of the most coveted clubs on the planet, radiated an intimacy that seemed destined for magic.
By the time the first note rang out, every seat in the house had been claimed, with latecomers eyeing the walls in search of standing room that barely existed. The energy of a packed room created a sense of urgency and anticipation, as if those fortunate enough to be inside were part of a secret society admitted to an unforgettable night
Into this cinematic setting walked Randy Edelman, not simply as a pianist but as a storyteller of generations. His touch was sophisticated, elegant with heartwarming sentimentality, weaving the evening into a living tapestry of memory and possibility and a cornucopia of music.When he unfurled “A Weekend in New England,” the room became suspended, every chord carrying the wistful promise that within music’s embrace, everything is possible.
Between his own compositions, Edelman spun anecdotes that tethered the audience to his lineage—most notably a tale about Bing Crosby and his grandparents, a story that felt both personal and mythic, as if history itself were bending to allow the audience a glimpse into the roots of his artistry.
But it was his sweeping medley of film scores, spanning the last twenty-five years of his illustrious career, that electrified the evening. From heart-pounding cinematic crescendos to the tender motifs that have underscored some of Hollywood’s most memorable moments, Edelman transformed the club into a private screening room where sound became image, and image became memory.
As the final notes lingered, the audience remained in reverent silence before erupting into thunderous applause. Conversations afterward carried a common refrain: this was so much more than anyone had expected. What began as an evening at an exclusive club became an odyssey through time, cinema, and the limitless landscapes of Randy Edelman’s musical imagination.
Photo Credit: Rose Billings
