Tenderly: The Life & Times of Nat King Cole

Tenderly is such an inspirational and moving show! A beautifully presented tribute to Nat King Cole and other influential performers of the time. Duane's respect for this legendary icon shines a beautiful light throughout the show! ... full review

Hi this performance was underwhelming. You didnt know the right lyrics, didnt sing choice songs, tried to make the song different so much you stripped it of melody. I thought you were having a laugh at some point. Singing Nat King Cole songs especially if you truly enjoy him has to be one of the doable things for an artist that would elicit pleasure.. i felt pain, true pain. Please do well to receive this criticism and refine the act. Thanks... full review

My what a performer Duane is. He invited us in to his world so sweetly and gently and with such charisma and charm, like Nat KC himself. I adored the blending of such beautiful covers with really awful history told in such a matter of fact way, interwoven with tales from Duane’s own life and upbringing. He is so candid and disarming in a way that is never didactic. He seems to have such hope for the world and love and reverence for those who came before him.... full review

Every second was engaging. Duane Forrest is as magnetic as he is talented. He invoked not just Nat King Cole, but Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong as well, and tied it all together with his own personal experiences. Moving and tragic and poignant and important. ... full review

Well researched and thoughtfully chosen music... full review

Well-paced and well-told story. Smooth music performance.... full review

This show is WONDERFUL! Duane's voice is a rich, warm presence that, together with nothing else but his guitar, would be worth the price of admission alone. But then, in his storytelling sections, Duane skillfully blends Nat King Cole's story and circumstances with those of his own, illustrating the hardships Cole had to face on the road... and the work we still have to do as a society today. This is a gorgeous, reflective journey through the life of Black jazz musicians, featuring a slew of well-loved classics.... full review

This show was absolutely incredible. The title would have you reasonably believe this was a show entirely focused on Nat King Cole, which is already a huge draw, but it was so much more. Structured as a tribute to Cole, presented by talented musician Duane Forrest, this show moves seamlessly between the life and times of Nat King Cole as promised, Black history and the struggle for equality, and Forrest’s own personal stories of being a Black musician in Toronto, born to Jamaican parents. Forrest talks about other Black musicians, like Louis Armstrong who inspired Nat King Cole, his contemporary Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, and many more. He showcases his amazing musical talents, weaving his renditions of the songs of Cole and the other musi... full review

We loved the show. The music was lovely and the stories were moving. ... full review

Duane is absolutely charming. His singing and storytelling totally engage the audience and draw you in. So glad we ventured out to see this Canadian artist perform. Welcome to LA, Duane!... full review