Steve Tyrell records a new CD, Becca entertains a hedge fund star and Aztec throws a killer party

It's a big day for homegrown talent Steve Tyrell and something of a milestone for Houston itself. Today is the release date of his new album I'll Take Romance, recorded in Houston at Wire Road Studios. It's the only album that Tyrell has recorded in his hometown. (That's the same studio where Tyrell produced the album for America's Got Talent winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.)

With his previous eight albums each reaching the top five on Billboard's jazz chart, the new work should be well-received, particularly as it continues in the tradition of his earlier releases. It's a sound that has insured Tyrell a successful nightclub, concert and recording career. His nightclub highlight, you will recall, is the annual stint at The Carlyle in New York where Tyrell has entertained every holiday season since 2005, when he replaced the legendary jazz singing icon Bobby Short.

With the new album, Tyrell focuses on songs with a decidedly romantic bent, tunes geared for weddings, he says. Naturally, it includes his original recording of "The Way You Look Tonight" as a bonus track. "For Sentimental Reasons," At Last," and "I'll Take Romance" are among the tracks.

Tyrell is back at home in California where he celebrates the launch of the new CD, performing at the Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood, Feb. 10-13, Feb. 14 and Feb. 16-19.

A fashionable lunch for the ladies

Valerie Sarofim and Becca Cason Thrash rounded up a glam group of ladies for a midday fete on Friday in honor of their mutual friend Julie Macklowe, a brilliant former hedge fund manager turned skincare mogul. The petite New Yorker came straight from the airport looking like a million bucks in Balenciaga distressed jeans and Chanel jacket. "I had to wear something that would be comfortable to travel and would carry me from the luncheon into tomorrow," she said.

In addition to talking high style with fashionistas such as Alexandra Knight, Laura Sweeney and Kelli Blanton, Macklowe was chatting up her new skincare line vbeauté. And the ladies seemed to be swooning over the products in the "It Kit,"a travel-sized (that means NTSB appropriate) collection of five key creams and lotions.

The lively mix of women generated its own electricity with no one giving up the chatting to move toward the luncheon buffet for an hour after start time. Among those invited were Rania Daniel, Lindley Arnoldy, Terri Havens, Leigh Smith, Kate Stukenberg, Leticia Trauber, Stormy Hull, Sabiha Rehmatulla, Sima Ladjevardian, Greggory Burk, Phoebe Tudor and Ann Short.

Partying like a rock star

That would be the folks at Aztec Events & Tents, who do know a thing or two about partying. Last week, they opened up their newly-renovated showroom and warehouse for a blowout spotlighting their various party essentials and the new designer collections — everything from very fancy tablecloths and chair covers to top-of-the-line crystal and china. Villeroy & Boch, Riedel and the like.

For the 300 guests — event planners, hoteliers, caterers and customers, Aztec erected a a vast tent with vaulted ceiling, draped in seductive white sheers, and filled it with table designs, floral displays, catering stations and a 20-foot ice bar  for freshly-made sushi. That was conveniently located right across from the Belvedere vodka bar.

Proud proprietor Todd Johnson welcomed visitors to the site and explained to CultureMap, "We knew we needed to do something to stay ahead of the curve . . . It's about a new showroom, a new department and it's about a lot of new tabletops."

The party was supposed to shut down at 9 but went on until 10:30, aided by the sounds of the Austin-based band The Picture. With the party still going strong, Johnson asked them to play an hour longer. Experiencing Aztec's new look were guests including the Bayou Club's Jonathan Sheer, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston's Linda Kuykendahl, the Aztec's Elyse Evans, A Fare Extraordinaire's Kalie GusemanoSPCR's Paul Hensley and Steven Wagner and Events & Design by Erika's Erika Mannke Landry, who helped Johnson with the party logistics.

Tinsel town calling

Joanne King Herring is walking on Cloud Nine after hearing from an Oscar-nominated Best Actress (name not to be revealed until contracts are signed), who expressed serious interest in buying the film rights to Herring's book Diplomacy and Diamonds. After reading the book, we are told, that the unnamed actress was so taken that she called to say that she is keen to both produce and star in the Diplomacy and Diamonds film version.

Keep your eyes wide open as we hear that this star will be in Houston toward the end of February to discuss various possibilities with our hometown heroine. And there will be plenty of parties to honor the Hollywood personality. As Herring's right hand Posey Parker emailed, "So polish up your diamonds!"

Dressed for heart health

As founding member of the American Heart Association's Circle of Red Women's Group, Pattie Dale Tye, Humana market president, invited a select group of women to join her in the bar at Tony's for a luncheon in honor of the ninth annual National Wear Red Day.

Dedicated to keeping women heart healthy and aware that heart disease is the number one killer of women in this country, Circle of Red members are at the forefront of the fight against heart disease.

Among those joining Tye on this day and receiving a stunning ring ‚ stingray skin with 96 white sapphires from DeVille Fine Jewelry were Reena Bansal, Honor Guiney, Susan Vick, Beth Wolff, Sally Dwyer, Rachel Regan, Melissa King, Ileana Trevino, Cheryl Byington and Janet Morrow.

Super sophisticated partying

It was no slog-the-beer, down-the-nachos sort of Super Bowl bash at the Montebello on Sunday evening. Rather it was a very well-behaved gathering in the high-rise's party room, hosted by Carolyn Faulk, Vidal Martinez and Louis Pearce Jr.

It was Giants fans versus Patriots fans as the room was divided into team corners where they cheered their faves, evaluated the ads on the tube and placed their bets. This sophisticated football fray included John Poindexter, Pam and Terry Davis, Karen and Byron Hood, Jack Rains, Ashley Smith, Beth Robertson and Steve Pearce, Bob Boudreaux and Jane and Dean Gladden.