On August 31st, the Southampton Arts Center became a haven of melody, memory, and midsummer reflection as Melissa Errico unveiled her newest concert program, I Can Dream, Can’t I? — Songs of Love, Longing & Summertime. Accompanied by the impeccable jazz pianist Tedd Firth, Errico wove a spellbinding evening that balanced sophistication with intimacy, offering a glimpse not only into the American songbook, but into her own life and travels.
The performance coincides with her forthcoming duo album of the same name, set for release this October, and serves as both a preview and a celebration. From Duke Ellington to Joni Mitchell to Cole Porter, Errico selected songs that spoke to the soul’s quieter corners — longing, remembrance, and the sweetness of summer’s fleeting hours.
But what made the night special was Errico’s storytelling. She transported the audience to Copenhagen, sharing a trip with her daughter as she broke into Frank Loesser’s “Wonderful Copenhagen” with a twinkle of maternal pride. Moments later, she whisked listeners away to Capri and the Blue Grotto, imitating her tour guide with a spot-on Italian accent that drew delighted laughter. True to theme, she dressed the part — opening in a Capri-purchased frock paired with whimsical lemon earrings, radiating seasonal charm.
After intermission, while Firth held the stage with a shimmering solo interlude, Errico returned transformed, draped in a gold, glittering gown that matched the twilight glamour of the evening. The second half deepened the intimacy, with Errico lending her voice to an original song written by her bassist, David Fink, proving that her artistry embraces both classic and contemporary. On drums was Eric Halvorson.
The night’s most touching moment came at the close: Errico invited her father, Dr. Michael Errico, to the piano for the final song. The intergenerational duet was more than performance — it was a portrait of legacy, love, and the threads of music woven through family life.
Melissa Errico’s I Can Dream, Can’t I? is more than a concert. It’s a conversation — between past and present, between summer breezes and timeless melodies, between artist and audience. For one evening in Southampton, Errico reminded us that dreaming — of love, of longing, of life itself — is not only possible, but necessary.