New New York Sheet Music Societsy lette VOLUME 34, NUMBER 3 SINCwwwE.NY S1MS.o9rg 80 DECEMBER, 2012 r DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION OF CLASSIC POPULAR MUSIC The Magic of Dain and Mathis Manhattan Frank Dain Sings the Piano Rooms Songs of Johnny Mathis in the 1960’s By Ronny Whyte By Jerry Osterberg Mathis. The long-time to be fortuitous, as he became In the 1960’s, Manhattan musical partners presented an an overnight star on the very had a plethora of piano bars, inspired collection of many of cusp of Rock & Roll. and restaurants with pianos, his greatest hits; Johnny was Frank Dain performed especially on the Upper East the first singer to release a many of the tunes that have Side. Almost every restaurant “Greatest Hits” album in the always been a key part of the had at least a piano in a early years of his career. Mathis catalog, including corner, and many had small Arguably Mitch Miller’s best “Misty,” “Chances Are,” “It’s piano bars, where about six or idea ever, this was the top Not for Me to Say” (Johnny eight people could stand or sit. selling recording for three made his film debut as a Many of them were owned by weeks, remaining on the nightclub singer singing this the Mafia, or so we suspected, though we were generally charts for an incredible 490 song), “A Certain Smile,” treated well by the weeks (!), bringing back to “The Twelfth of Never,” management. Chief among listeners memories of a time “Wonderful, Wonderful” and them were The Ali Baba, The that seemed to be simpler. “Wild is the Wind,” which Tenement, Ramondo’s and a During a career Continued on page 4 of more than fifty Frank Dain wears a years and counting, Uncovered! The variety of hats extremely well. Johnny Mathis placed Besides being a writer and six songs in the top Hidden Treasurers editor of Cabaret Scenes ten, two of them at of Larry Kerchner Magazine, he is a talented number one: Benefit Performance designer, an administrator of “Chances Are” the Cabaret Foundation, a (1957) and “Too Was a Winner All cook, and of course, a Much, Too Little, Too the Way polished and respected Late,” recorded with By Jerry Osterberg performer. What better Deniece Williams in On the evening of choice could he have made 1978. His recording November 5, 2012 many of than to create an entire of “In Other Words” the brightest stars in the program of songs associated world of cabaret donated (aka “Fly Me to the Frank with Kathleen Landis with the iconic Johnny Moon”), written by their free time to perform the Mathis? Bart Howard, remained on the Mathis sang at the 1958 songs of the Larry Kerchner With the musical charts for an astonishing 259 Academy Awards. There catalog for the benefit of The direction of Kathleen Landis, weeks. Signed to a contract were other songs, not as well Michael Feinstein Great Frank graced the stage of the with Columbia at the age of known, which some in the American Songbook New York Sheet Music nineteen, and one of nine audience may have been Initiative and the Mabel Society on November 10, children, Johnny opted for a hearing for the first time: “I’ll Mercer Foundation. The 2012 before a room filled life in music rather than Be Easy to Find,” “The York Theatre was filled with with members who grew up pursuing a career in sports and Island” and especially enthusiastic fans who came listening and perhaps the chance to compete in the “Yellow Roses on Her to hear Larry’s songs, most romancing to the music of Olympics. His choice proved Continued on page 4 Continued on page 5 PAGE 2 NEW YORK SHEET MUSIC SOCIETY DECEMBER, 2012 President’s Message... New York Linda Amiel Burns, President Sheet Music Society It looks like we are off to another banner season of The New York Sheet Music OFFICERS Society. Richard Holbrook’s Burton Lane Tribute , presented at the October meeting, President: was fabulous, and now I cannot thank Frank Dain enough for his simply “Wonderful, Linda Amiel Burns Wonderful” program, The Magic of Mathis on November 10 th , which featured the 1st Vice Presidents: Lynn DiMenna & terrific Kathleen Landis on piano. If you missed this show, they will be at Don’t Tell Mama on December Sandi Durell th 8th and 15 at 6:00PM with Saadi Zain on bass. Jerry Osterberg has written all about Frank’s remarkable 2nd Vice Presidents: program in this issue’s lead story. Joan Adams & Sandy Marrone I cannot remind everyone often enough that our meetings take place at Local 802 the second Treasurer: Glen Charlow Saturday of each month , so please put these meetings on your calendars. If there are any changes, we Membership: will let you know. People phone me all the time to ask when the next meeting is. You can always go to Glen Charlow & Trudi Mann www.NYSMS.org to see what the subject of the program is going to be. You won’t want to miss any of Recording Secretary: the incredible afternoons that are scheduled through June. Edie Stokes Programs & Special Events: Many of you will now be reading this Newsletter online and in glorious color! It is so exciting that Elliott Ames & Sandi Durell Marketing & Public Relations: the NYSMS has gone digital. Remember: if you want a hard copy, you can always print one out for Laura Slutsky & Barbara Thaler yourself. Website: For those few who still don’t have email, we will continue to print and mail the Newsletter to you. Glen Charlow As you all know, the Society is the best bargain in town, and we would like to keep it that way and not Newsletter Editors: have to raise dues; many thanks for your cooperation in this matter. We still don’t have email addresses Jerry Laird for many of our members, so please be sure to give Glen that information. Another reminder for those who [email protected] Jerry Osterberg pay their dues or donations with a credit card or Paypal: there will be a small fee of $3.00 added, to [email protected] cover the additional costs. Associate Editor: Joan Adams I want to wish you all a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday, and I am looking forward to Graphic Designer: seeing you on December 8 th when Sarah Rice (the original Johanna in Sweeny Todd ) presents, Screen Glen Charlow [email protected] Gems: The Songs of Old Hollywood! NYSMS Official Photographer: Rose Billings Linda New York Sheet Music Society P.O. Box 564 New York, NY 10008 Special Theater Discounts for NYSMS Members! We know that you love a good deal, so in association with Marna Mintzer and MGM Consulting, NYSMS members are being offered Broadway & Off Broadway theatre ticket discounts of approximately 48% or more off retail, plus arts event ticket discounts ranging from 30-50% off. For show updates and ordering information, call 212- 935-2664 to hear what is available and please mention your special Membership code # A1. Offerings change frequently so phone the Hotline and listen Jerry Osterberg, Linda Amiel Burns, Frank Dain, and Lynn DiMenna. A great-looking bunch!! carefully to the many choices currently available . MEETING LOCATION – Local 802 – Musicians’ Hall at 322 West 48th Street. Program: 1:45 – 3:30PM. DECEMBER, 2012 NEW YORK SHEET MUSIC SOCIETY PAGE 3 time or bring more if both are sold. People check every month to see what’s new. Don’t lose out! Don’t be shy! Bring in those CDS of yours and walk Member out with hard money! Marlene VerPlanck will be at Blue Note Brunch on Sunday, December News... 23 @ 12:30 PM. Show + Brunch + 1 Drink: $29.50. Reservations: 212-475- 8592. If you have any member news, or other items you would like to have considered for this newsletter, please send it by e-mail to the co- Richard Holbrook will be presenting Christmas in New York at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 West 46 Street, Sunday, December 9 @ 9:00 PM and Sunday, editor, Jerry Osterberg : [email protected]. It will be subject to December 16 @ 8:30 PM. Show will include seasonal favorites by such editing, depending on size and content, and please remember that composers as Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim, Burton Lane and Dorothy we try to go to press two weeks before each monthly meeting. We Fields, Steve Allen, Mel Torme, Leslie Bricusse, Johnny Mercer and Marilyn often get very good items that get to us after the newsletter has been and Alan Bergman. In addition, there will also be holiday songs written by printed and mailed. celebrated New York songwriters as Ronny Whyte, Roger Schore, Francesca Blumenthal, Portia Nelson, Carleton Carpenter, Burton Lane and Dorothy Linda Amiel Burns, NYSMS President, is celebrating the 35 year of The Fields. Music by the Tom Nelson Trio – Tom Nelson, musical director; Tom Singing Experience. She would love to have more of our Society’s members Kirchmer, bass; Peter Grant, drums; Richard Barclay, director. $20 cover join the cast in joyful song. Talk to those who have – Joan Adams, Lynn charge ($15 for MAC and Cabaret Hotline Online Members) with a two- DiMenna, Jerry Laird, Jerry Osterberg, Carol Shedlin and Laura Slutsky – drink minimum (cash only.) Reservations: 212- 757-0788 after 4:00 PM or you’ll be glad you did. Please call Linda at 212-315-3500 to sign up. The online @ www.donttellmamanyc.com. Singing Experience Cable TV show continues on MNN Time Warner: Channel 56 or RCN: Channel 111.