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Maria Elena Infantino: From Piaf to Mambo Italiano
Reviewed by Pauline Adamek
Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill
Feb. 28
RECOMMENDED:
Backed by a top-notch trio of jazz musicians, petite and pretty vocalist Maria Elena Infantino takes to the stage in a plain black dress and dark wig. Channeling “the little sparrow” — Édith Piaf — Infantino devotes the first third of her hour-long performance to the famous French songbird. She adopts an appropriate and slightly nasal interpretation, regaling her audience with sweet and slightly humorous versions of several of Piaf’s hit songs; La Vie en rose, Non, je ne regrette rien, and so on. It’s no surprise that the Italian-born, half-Bulgarian singer’s French accent is impeccable. While the mimicry is canny, she also invests her renditions with just the right dose of theatricality, as seen in dramatic gestures and posturing. Yet there’s a delicacy and intimacy to her performance that builds to a festive and carnival-esque enthusiasm with the sing-along crowd-pleaser “Milord.”
Then, excitingly, Maria Elena quickly disrobes and rips off her wig to reveal long blonde tresses teamed with a strapless dress of gold sequins. Ushering us from Oui to Si with a wiggle of her hips, she launches into a spirited version of Mambo Italiano (the 1950s tune made famous by Rosemary Clooney), and her Italian heritage comes to the fore. More Italian classics follow, including her rendition of Quando Quando which never tips over into a cheesy bucket thanks to her grace and aplomb. A unique interlude is her blended English and Italian version of the Shirley Bassey hit “Never Never Never,” which was adapted from the Italian tune “Grande Grande Grande.” Grabbing the microphone off its stand for a big finish, Infantino demonstrates the confidence to take a stab at emulating one of the most impressive voices around. Though not every note hits its mark, Infantino more than makes up for that with her warmth and bubbly presentation. Ambitiously, she even tackles another legendary set of Welsh pipes with the (original) Italian version of the Tom Jones hit “You’re My World.” She rounds the evening out with a Sicilian flavor, including a gorgeous torch-song rendition of the theme from Coppola’s movie The Godfather as well as the Sicilian folk song “Lu Sciccareddu (The Donkey)” that she claims her father, the renowned tenor Luigi Infantino, adapted for The Godfather Part II.
In short, Infantino’s jazzy show delivers an evening of vivid, positive energy, it offers a tutorial in mid-20th century European standards, while demonstrating her skills as an accomplished, classy entertainer – particularly at home in the plush surrounds of Bel Aire’s Vibrato Grill Jazz supper club. A martini may set you back $17, but it’s huge. Entrees such as Ribeye, Slow Braised Beef Short Ribs and Roquefort Filet range from $34—$56. Add the show cover charge of $25, and this is far from a cheap night out.
For this particular show, Infantino was accompanied by Ric Mandell on piano, Pat Senatore on string bass and Tina Reymond on drums. Reymond particularly impressed with her laid back, super cool demeanor that belied her virtuosic musicianship on the jazz drum kit.
Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill, 2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Bel Air; return engagement Feb. 28. https://vibrato.herbalpertpresents.com/show-calendar/
Other shows by Infantino include L’Italo-Americano fundraising gala at Casa Italiana, 1051 N. Broadway, Dwntwn LA, Feb. 7. https://italoamericano.com/social/litalo-americano-annual-fundraising-gala-dinner
Riviera 31 cocktail lounge at the Beverly Hills Sofitel, 8555 Beverly Blvd., B.H.; Feb. 10, 8 p.m. (and every second Tuesday of the month) https://www.esterelrestaurant.com/Riviera-31
