NEW YORK SHEET MUSIC SOCIETY APRIL, 2008 New York President’S Message
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New New York Sheet Music Socsileetty e VOLUME 29, NUMBERS7 INCwwwE.NYS1MS.o9rg 80 APRIL 2008 r DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION OF CLASSIC POPULAR MUSIC You’re Gonna ’ Hate Yourself in the Morning if you missed By Jerry Laird Johnny Meyer! At the March meeting DeHaven, Lily Tomlin, and we had another master Madeline Kahn, to name a class in How to Grab few. and Hold an Audience… Johnny has composed a and Never Lose Them. musical version of Johnny Meyer is “Heartbreaker, ” telling about the time he spent with Judy MR. SHOW BUSINESS. Garland. We got a prevue of s g one of the songs, “When do n Yes, in all caps! His life story i l l i the Words Come True?” which is right out of one of those B e was sung beautifully by Leila MGM musicals, with, ironically s o Martin. (This is one Off- enough, Judy Garland actually R y Broadway show I am really part of it, in living Technicolor, b o t looking forward to) . so to speak. I could feel the o h cameras running as he told of P Trudi Mann sang, “Just stay starting at the top of the Brill with me ‘til ‘After the Building with his also - Holidays ’”, another wrist- teenaged partner, knocking on slasher (a term new to me, every music publisher’s door but very appropriate ). Johnny on every floor: “Come back worked with Paul Bartel when you’re 43!” (I’d cast Ned Sparks for that (actor/director) on a feature film, “Not for part ). And , proving once again that sometimes Publication “ starring Nancy Allen, and featuring persistence pays off: occasionally someone would John’s song, “You Bring Out the Beast in Me ” with listen. a series of animal sound effects worked into the lyrics, which John sang, meows and all. When John attended the University of Chicago, he talked them into doing a revue, sandwiched in Leila Martin joined John to perform his hilarious between Strindberg and Ibsen. It was called musical version of “Casablanca .” John was Rick “Pheasant Under Glass ,” and he was and Sam, and Leila of course was Ilsa. They did hooked…luckily , at a time when the public a counterpoint duet of “All the Gin Joints in the actually went to revues. In New York, he wrote a World” and “Is That Cannon Fire? ” (or simply my song for Jane Connell to perform at Upstairs at heart pounding?) This certainly could be an the Downstairs : “Mr. Clean ” (which he sang for outrageously funny Off-Broadway production. us, and brought the house down, as they say in this business). Oh! If such wonderful joints only In 1998, John wrote book, music and lyrics for a existed today! This led to his writing special thriller called “The Betrayal of Nora Blake ,” that material for the likes of Julie Wilson, Gloria was performed at London’s Continued on page 7 PAGE 2 NEW YORK SHEET MUSIC SOCIETY APRIL, 2008 New York President’s Message... Sheet Music Society A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION Can you believe that spring is here already? This winter OFFICERS seemed to fly by , and so far the NYSMS has had six amazing programs for the season. We’re starting to think about and plan PRESIDENT: the 2008-2009 Programs. Any suggestions? Linda Amiel Burns Thank you , John Meyer for giving us a wonderful program in March 1st VICE PRESIDENTS: relating your story on “how I became a songwriter.” John is an all -around Lynn DiMenna & Sam Teicher entertainer , and he charmed the NYSMS audience with a fascinating tale of the people that he worked with, the songs and special material he 2nd VICE PRESIDENTS: Robert Kimball & Sandy Marrone wrote, the book that he published “Heartbreaker” on his time with Judy Garland , and his terrific guest artists, Leila Martin and wife Suzanne. I TREASURER: have known John nearly all my life as he graduated from The Fieldston Glen Charlow School with my brother, Joe; I always admired his musical talent. You 56 Garrison Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07306 can read all about his enjoyable program in this issue. MEMBERSHIP: I am being honored by The Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs Glen Charlow & Trudi Mann with a MAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS AWARD at a Ceremony/Show on RECORDING SECRETARY (237 West 42nd Street) for Tuesday, May 6th at BB Kings Blues Club Edie Stokes my 30 -year contribution to the world of cabaret and music. The Academy Award-nominated actor, Danny Aiello , who has been my friend for many PROGRAMS & SPECIAL EVENTS: years, will present me with the award. I have bought a block of $45 Elliott Ames & Sandi Durell tickets for my “cheering section” (two-drink minimum extra – a full dinner menu is available) - so if you want to attend , either e-mail me at MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS: [email protected] or phone at 212 315-3500. You can also purchase Laura Slutsky tickets ($45 - $75 - $125) though MAC - www.MACNY.com, the BB King Box Office or Ticketmaster 212 307-7171. WEBSITE: Debi Smith http://www.NYSMS.org Don’t miss our last three programs of the season: April 12: Author Brian Kellow , author of the fabulously -reviewed new NEWSLETTER EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Ethel Merman book. He will be bringing a Merman sound-a-like who will Jerry Laird be singing the songs Merman made famous , accompanied by David [email protected] Brunetti on piano. 214 Highland Ave., Norwalk, CT 06853 May 10: Sandi Durell’s Annual New Songwriters’ Showcase . This yearly Program always has show -stopping talent , and features the ASSISTANT EDITOR: Joan Adams composers who are creating the new standards. Sandi promises that this will be another brilliant afternoon of discovery. GRAPHIC DESIGNER: June 14: Sheila Weiler’s show on the late and great Sylvia Syms . Glen Charlow Remember Sheila’s program on Larry Hart? Well, this will be equally [email protected] wonderful , with Barry Levitt as Musical Director and directed by yours truly. Sylvia was Frank Sinatra’s favorite singer! Now you can See you all on April 12th , at Local 802. Come early and enjoy our “flea join or renew your market” and find some treasures. Looking forward to another successful membership ONLINE! afternoon. It’s all right there, spelled out for you, in 3 easy steps! Linda www.NYSMS.org and follow the NEW link in the maroon bar. APRIL, 2008 NEW YORK SHEET MUSIC SOCIETY PAGE 3 Member One of the perks we get by being members of the Sheet Music Society is that we get shows (like the one last month with Karen News... Oberlin) that are the same shows being performed in the major rooms around the country, and we get them for just paying our dues. Think how lucky you were to see such performers as Quinn Paul Chamlin & Rochelle Breyer present “The Honeymoon is Lemley and her Rita Hayworth show,“The Heat is On!” that is now Over ” - Songs about love, hate, and everything in between, from getting rave reviews all over the East Coast. Quinn just played B .B. master songwriters Jule Styne, Charles Strouse, Arthur King’s club to more (I said it once and I’ll say it again) rave reviews. Schwartz, Ervin Drake, Hugh Martin and many others. Tuesday , April 8th, at 7:00pm, Friday, April 11th, at 9:00pm, Saint Peter’s Midtown Jazz at Noon, St. Peter’s Lutheran Wednesday, May 7th, at 7:00pm. , at Don’t Tell Mama , 343 West. Church , Wednesdays at 1 :00 pm, hosted by Ronny Whyte (54 th 46th Street. (between 8th & 9 th ), Please call for reservations: 212- & Lexington .) Suggested Donation: $7 .00. Check Ronny’s 757-0788 . $10.00 Cover plus Two Drink Minimum .. website: www.ronnywhyte.cm for the full schedule. March 12th : Peter Mintun, the wonderful pianist , will perform. And, I hope you Lynn DiMenna is turning producer for a Sinatra Songbook tribute. didn’t miss Trudi Mann on the 5th - too early for this newsletter It will be at 3:00 pm on Sunday, May 25 th at the Norwalk Concert to cover . Hall, in Connecticut. This show will feature some of today’s foremost jazz musicians, along with vocalist Betsyann Faiella. Rachel Stone continues her great job of providing the very General Admission: $25.00. Reserved section and reception: professional Community Cabaret at very affordable prices at the $35:00. Information & tickets: attheritz.org, or 800-529-8497 or Unitarian Church at 40 East 35th, between Park & Madison. purchase them at Sally’s Place , in Westport, CT. Tickets are only $15 :00 , but you (NYSMS members) get in for $10 :00! For more information, call 718-471-0102. Also, mark Don’t Forget : On May 6th (mark your calendars! ), Linda Amiel your calendars to see Lynn DiMenna, Barbara Brussel, and the Burns will receive a MAC award at their annual meeting. And you elegant Ivory Duo on Friday, May 16th . don’t even have to remember to vote for her: it’s a special award for her years of service to the Cabaret community. Linda Amiel Burns’ next Singing Experience, “Breezin’ Along” begins on March 19th, with a performance at the Triad on April Scot Albertson will celebrate the release of his third CD, “Fate 16th at 7:30. Richard Danley will be at the piano. Call Linda for Revealed by Design.” Friday. April 4th at 8:00 pm. At The Laurie info & res: 212 315 3500 Beechman Theater at the West Bank Café , 407 West 42nd, just west of 9th Ave. The Daryl Kojak Jazz Quintet will be featured, as well .