A Friday night at The Regency Bar & Grill becomes an event thanks to the live performances of Jumaane Smith. The renowned musician is best known to audiences around the world for playing the trumpet and touring as part of Michael Bublé‘s band, but on Friday nights for the month June he continues his residency at the prestigious venue. Smith follows an almost mythical residency by Michael Fienstein that served to define the room as the go to Park Avenue location for extraordinary dining, superior cocktails, romantic ambiance, and some of the best music around. Thanks to Smith’s style and musicianship the legacy continues.

Plainly put, if you’re looking to create an unforgettable evening in New York City, look no further than a dinner date at The Regency Bar & Grill on 61st Street & Park Avenue, with a live performance by Jumaane Smith. But don’t wait too long, his last performance so far is scheduled for June 24th. Make your reservations now.

The evening begins at 6pm when the band takes the stage. Smith goes through a set that lasts until 10pm and includes a varied combination of classic standards and new originals, interpreted in an inimitable style that mesmerizes an audience. It will be a night to remember. There is no cover, but dinner reservations are recommended. The craft cocktails, and a menu designed by new Executive Chef Catherine Medrano are guaranteed to create the quintessential elegant, and sophisticated New York experience.

Key to the evening’s vibe is the performance by Smith and his quartet. Michael Buble’s trumpeter, vocalist, and multi instrumentalist has played stages in massive stadiums, and at cultural landmarks; recorded a solo album; appeared on national television specials; and performed for two sitting U.S. presidents. His collaborations range from pop idols to jazz legends, with a list that includes Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Alicia Keys, Diddy, Wynton Marsalis, Chris Botti and many more.

Smith first joined Bublé’s band in 2005. Eleven years later, he continues to perform, record, travel and learn as a part of the band. From touring the world with Bublé to playing the Grammy Awards show with Stevie Wonder, to appearing on the “American Idol” soundtrack, Smith’s accomplishments go on and on. The recordings he’s appeared on have sold more than 25 million copies worldwide, garnered four Grammy nominations and earned three Grammy wins.

Now Smith steps forward and takes center stage at The Regency Bar and Grill on Friday nights.  His debut record “I Only Have Eyes For You” is a celebration of the Great American Songbook with the theme of love and romance. The album includes interpretations of classic tunes full of personal emotion, and features performances by Bublé, as well as the title track/lead single featuring Naturally 7, which reached the Top #15 on Billboard’s Smooth Jazz Singles Charts. Don’t limit yourself to the CD, make your reservation and see a master at work at the top of his craft – Live!

HOMBRE: How do you feel about performing at The Regency Bar & Grill?
H: I really enjoy my residency here, it’s a tremendous venue with a great history of live music and jazz. For many years Michael Feinstein played here, and after they renovated it I’ve had the opportunity to do so myself, and it’s been great.
It’s a romantic place, it’s intimate, it’s good for a type of elegance and jazz.

H: Who were some of the artists you listened to growing up?
JS: When I was a kid I listened to a lot of jazz, a lot of Stevie Wonder. I was fortunate enough to perform with him a few times. I’ve always idolized him so it’s great to perform with him. Also listened to Nat King Cole, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis. I was born on his birthday (May 26), so I will never be the most famous trumpet player born that day (laughs).

H: It may seem like an odd question, but what emotions come to you as you play the trumpet?
JS: It’s a special feeling. I had a very tumultuous childhood and a lot of adversity that I had to get through, and at that period I had a the trumpet and the trumpet was essentially my friend. I feel I learned to express myself through music and the trumpet and express what I was going through and deal with things. In addition, it’s taught me about being in the present moment, being with the audience you’re performing for, being with the band. So much of jazz is a collective improvisation that you really have to be present in that moment for it to happen and to be true and genuine. Jazz is like a language, and people all over the world understand it. Music is one of the most important things there is, and the fact that I can call myself a musician is a great feeling.

H: What made you choose the trumpet?
JS: I didn’t really want to actually. When I was in third grade someone showed up at my school with a whole bunch of instruments. I loved the French horn, I loved the sound and I really wanted to learn, but nobody could play or teach me, and instead they gave me a trumpet… So here we are some 25 years later …and I still can’t play the French horn.

H: Where’s the favorite place you’ve visited on tour?
JS: That’s a hard question. I’ve been so fortunate to go to so many places, so many times. All places have their different cultures, nuances, and intricacies that are so unique. And then again sometimes all the places start to feel the same, so it’s more about the connection with the people, and the friends that you have. I have a lot of friends in Australia. Another of my favorite places to go is Italy. There’s a little town in the mountains, maybe an hour from Rome, called Spoleto, and they host a music festival every summer. One summer I spent a month there, it was incredible, so rustic, in the middle of nowhere. For the weather, I also enjoy the Caribbean, and Hawaii.

H: What can you tell us about your newest CD?
JS: My debut album is “I only have yes for you.” I’m very proud of this record. It took me almost five years to make. I recorded it all over the world with great musicians and it features some great artists. Michael Bublé is on the record, and a great acapella band named Naturally 7, among others. It’s a nice romantic record, I say it’s best to be enjoyed with a bottle of wine and someone you care about. I wanted to capture that vibe and that time. Since then I’ve been doing a lot of writing and lot of recording and I’m working on my next record. I’ll be singing a lot more.

H: Will you be touring with Michael Bublé?
JS: Yes. Now he’s recording his new record. It’s slated to come out later this year. His record’s gonna be great.

H: How many years have you been working together now?
JS: Eleven years now. We’re like family. The experience has been what I imagine post-graduate school to be like. Michael Bublé is a wonderfully humble, down to earth and extremely generous person who thrives off of his family and friends realizing their own hopes, dreams and goals. It has been truly inspirational working with him.

H: Any festivals this summer?
JS: I’m doing the Rochester Jazz Festival in July. Aside from that not so much this summer.

H: You teach music at a college in Connecticut, what’s the best advice you can give your students?
JS: There’s a lot of people with a lot of opinions but Baskin Robbins has 31 flavors for a reason, one flavor isn’t enough for everybody. And don’t give up. Life is hard, music is hard, but the best always rises to the top. Things that are worthwhile take time.

H: What’s next?
JS: What’s next?! Musical world domination!

H: Why should people come see you at The Regency Bar & Grill?
JS: They should come because the food is great, the drinks are great, and I perform for them. We have a fabulous time. We’re having a great time and it’s a great experience. Especially if you’re going to come here for a date. If you’re looking to impress someone, bring them here.

The Regency Bar & Grill
@LOEWS REGENCY NEW YORK
540 Park Avenue & 61st Street
New York, New York, 10065
Phone: 212-759-4100
Reservations: 1-800-233-2356
For more information visit www.loewsregencybarandgrill.com

Jumaane Smith, Lucy, and HOMBRE Magazine’s Francisco Romeo at New York’s The Regency Bar & Grill