Ritzel

Don't Tell Mama, where Mr. Ritzel plays every Monday at happy hour, is tucked under a black awning on leafy West 46th Street, and hosts the city's leading combination of cabaret room and piano bar.

Sing Us a Song at the Bar Will Friedwald 2011

Ricky Ritzel , who's been doing piano bar along with every imaginable variation on saloon, lounge and cabaret styles for more than 25 years in New York, is the embodiment of the tradition.

Sing Us a Song at the Bar Will Friedwald 2011

On Monday, Jenna Esposito , who celebrates the great Italo-American pop stars in her shows at Feinstein's, dropped by to try out "Where the Boys Are" with Mr. Ritzel.

Sing Us a Song at the Bar Will Friedwald 2011

While Mr. Ritzel represents the tradition and Ms. Vercelloni the contemporary scene, Mimi's on East 52nd Street features an entertainer who is positively futuristic: If the oft-costumed free-jazzer Sun Ra were to own a piano bar, this is the guy who would play there.

Sing Us a Song at the Bar Will Friedwald 2011

"Blogs are cathartic for the writers," says SPEC's Brent Ritzel.

Bloggers exposed! M-mv 2004

"Blogs are cathartic for the writers," says SPEC's Brent Ritzel.

03.04 M-mv 2004

"Blogs are cathartic for the writers," says SPEC's Brent Ritzel.

03.04 M-mv 2004

"Blogs are cathartic for the writers," says SPEC's Brent Ritzel.

03.04 M-mv 2004

"Blogs are cathartic for the writers," says SPEC's Brent Ritzel.

Archive 2004-03-01 M-mv 2004

"Blogs are cathartic for the writers," says SPEC's Brent Ritzel.

02.04 M-mv 2004