Concert review: Spencer Day at Festival of Arts, Laguna Beach, Calif.

Spencer Day returned to the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, Calif. on Thursday night for a thoroughly entertaining concert. It was held as part of the weekly Art, Jazz, Wine, and Chocolate music series within the festival’s annual summer event calendar.

The jazz/pop vocalist and his three-piece band performed a 17-song, 85-minute set that was equally fun and riveting.

Last year, Day released the solid sixth full-length studio album Broadway by Day, where he tackled his favorite musical theater tunes from “Annie,” “The King and I,” “Hello Dolly,” “Oliver!” and others with a unique flair. Saxophonist Dave Koz and singer Jane Monheit make special guest appearances.

Opening with the Chris Isaak-styled, tremolo guitar-driven title track from 2013’s excellent The Mystery of You, Day gestured dramatically as he sang romantic lyrics to music akin to a film noir soundtrack. The swell, jazzy newer tune “You Sure Took Your Time Finding Me” (“written with Michael Bublé in mind”) revolved around modern dating and keeping occupied with the latest mobile phone technology. Check out a 2022 TV performance of it here: tinyurl.com/whmtuw69.

“I’m your less iconic Harry Connick,” joked the singer at one point. Before a medley of what Day called “Pro-California songs,” he reminisced about a family road trip taken as a kid from Utah to Disneyland and how listening to an LA oldies station (K-EARTH 101, perhaps?) always linked the two in his mind. Then the band played The Turtles’ “Happy Together” and a hushed version of The Association’s “Never My Love” (off Day’s 2014 effort Daybreak).

Then Day polled the audience about which of two cities they preferred before doing a whimsical song about San Francisco with so many verses that he read them off lyric sheets. Day dedicated a fine cover of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” to the late Tony Bennett.

Delving into Broadway by Day, Day’s version of “One” from “A Chorus Line” and “I’d Be Surprisingly Good for You” from “Evita,” Day deftly flexed his vocal range. For the latter, he switched to Spanish (among several Latin-tinged selections).

Despite his hand being in a cast, the charismatic singer still managed to play piano well, including on an affecting cover of Isaak’s “Wicked Game” beginning it in Spanish. The audience responded enthusiastically. A spirited and uplifting “Golden” was described as Day’s “love letter to California.”

Toward the end of the set, Day and the band played his best-known songs: “72 & Sunny,” which reached the top 30 at Adult Contemporary radio, and “Till You Come to Me,” a top 5 Smooth Jazz airplay track. All told, it was an enchanting concert.

The Art, Jazz, Wine, and Chocolate concert series continues with Tony Guerrero featuring Lia Booth, Aug. 3; Friends featuring Hussain Jiffry, Aug. 10; Billy Valentine, Aug. 17; Gregg Karukas: GK Soul Jazz Party, Aug. 24; Scott Wilkie, Aug. 31.

Other music schedule highlights include Missiles of October, July 31, and Aug. 23; Neil Morrow and Memphis 54, Aug. 4; Brian Bromberg, Aug. 5; Nathan East, Aug. 19; “A Night of Magic Gala” feat. Sergio Mendes with host Paula Abdul; Buzz Campbell and Hot Rod Lincoln, Sept. 1. The full schedule and ticket prices can be viewed at foapom.com. Festival of Arts is at 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949-494-1145.

spencerday.com