Steve March Torme left Los Angeles for family reasons.

The son of the late jazz singer Mel Torme spent most of his life close to show business. But his wife, Angela, wanted to live in Wisconsin so they could be closer to her parents in Berlin, and she wanted to raise their daughters, Ruby and Sunny, in the Badger State. Today, March Torme and his family call Appleton home, and he was pleased to discover a thriving arts community in the Fox Valley.

March Torme will perform a tribute concert to "The Velvet Fog" on Friday as part of the Lawrence University's annual Jazz Celebration Weekend. Taking the stage in a place where he's more than just another artist passing through town is something the singer appreciates.

"I live just down the street. I could run to the PAC if I want," March Torme says.

While he may have given up Los Angeles' mild weather for Wisconsin winters, March Torme didn't have to give up his music career. The singer recently released an album of original songs, "inside/out." He also spends some of his time hosting a radio program for The Avenue 91.1 (WOVM). The non-profit station is currently playing a few of his tracks.

By his own admission, Appleton was a big change for a "show biz kid," as his official Web site describes him. He made his first record in the 1970s, sang on an album with Liza Minnelli and appeared on various television programs. Music may have been his destiny, but it was not the original plan. March Torme says his stepfather, comedian and game show host Hal March, played a major role in his childhood.

"I was brought up by a guy who at the time was more famous in show business than Mel," March Torme says. "Hal March was the host of the biggest TV show in the country. I mean every single person watched 'The $64,000 Question Show.' When we had dinner parties it was Buddy Hackett and Jack Carter and Milton Berle and Don Adams. My house was full of just comics all the time."

It was Hal March who threw the baseball around with a young March Torme. He admits America's favorite pastime, not music, was his actual childhood ambition.

"I wanted to play baseball like a lot of kids," he remembers. The dream was to become a New York Yankee and take over his idol Tony Kubek's spot at shortstop.

Decades later, March Torme would get the chance to meet Kubek thanks to a friend who attended a Yankees fantasy camp. That friend discovered the former ballplayer and NBC sports broadcaster also calls Appleton home.

Celebrities had been a part of March Torme's life as long as he could remember, but he had to work up the nerve to call his baseball hero. When the two did meet, they forged a friendship.

"He told baseball stories for two hours and we became buddies," March Torme says. But it never would have happened if he hadn't left L.A. "I move to Appleton of all places, and Tony Kubek lives here?"

March Torme is also impressed with the caliber of musicians he's come across since moving to Appleton. He calls the group accompanying him at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel Friday some of the best he's performed with.

"There are some guys who are going to play in this band that are killers. I've heard all these guys, and they can play."

Kasey Steinbrinck: 920-993-1000, ext. 526, or ksteinbrinck@postcrescent.com