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FEDERATION OF AMERICAN MUSICIANS, SINGERS AND PERFORMING ARTISTS, INCORPORATED (FAMSPA), USA
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Visit the website of the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment, published by the Federation of American Musicians, Singers and Performing Artists. Read about the listees and purchase your copies at http://www.worldwhoswhoinjazzcabaretmusicandentertainment.com/

 

SHOWBIZ TIME MAGAZINE. April-May Issue P.23                                                   Cover of the Magazine     Table of Contents     
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Nat Hentoff. Born on June 10, 1925 in Boston, Massachusetts. Acclaimed critic and author. Wrote several books including: The Jazz Life (1975). Does Anybody Give a Damn? Nat Hentoff on Education (1977). Does This School Have Capital Punishment? (1981). The Day They Came to Arrest the Book (1982). The Man from Internal Affairs (1985). Free Speech for Me -- But Not for Thee: How the American Left and Right Relentlessly Censor Each Other (1993). Listen to the Stories: Nat Hentoff on Jazz and Country Music (1995). Speaking Freely (1997, memoir). Living the Bill of Rights: How to Be an Authentic American (1998). Boston Boy: Growing up with Jazz and Other Rebellious Passions (2001). The War on the Bill of Rights and the Gathering Resistance (2003). American Music Is (2004).

Deniece Williams. Grammy multi award-winning singer. Williams was born on June 3, 1951 in Gary, Indiana. In 1976, Williams launched her solo career with her single Free on Columbia Records; it reached number two on the R&B charts. The real breakthrough came in 1978 with her duets That's What Friends Are For with Johnny Mathis. Williams’ popularity declined for ten years ( 1970-1980), but her new song It's Gonna Take A Miracle in 1982 put her again on the map. Awards: Grammy Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female (1986). Grammy Best Gospel Performance By A Duo Or Group (1986).

Valentine Ryder. Jazz and Swing singer, and vocal coach, Valentine Ryder has sung Off-Broadway and in many of New York’s finest Cabarets, Nightclubs and Concert Halls, including Dangerfield’s, Reno Sweeney, The Ballroom, The Grand Finale, Upstairs at Greene Street, Palsson’s, 88’s, Don’t Tell Mama, Panache, Freddie’s, Ted Hook’s Backstage, Chita’s, Broadway Baby, Mr. Sam’s, Iridium, and Birdland. He has given repeat performances at the 92nd Street Y’s Lyric & Lyricists Series, and most recently at the Jean Rimsky Theater at the Landmark in Pt. Washington, NY in Barry Levitt’s Standard Fair.  He is regularly featured at the Iridium Jazz Club in Manhattan, with the Barry Levitt Quartet. Val is currently making his film acting debut in “Whirlwind” a feature length independent Movie for Jupiter Box Productions!   For several years he was the manager & occasional singing star of the posh nightclub/cabaret, “Mr. Sam’s”, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. In addition to his singing career, Mr. Ryder is a noted voice teacher and coach.  He also has produced various charity events including the legendary “Miracle on 35th Street” to benefit the Manhattan Center for Living, starring Liza Minnelli and hosted by Susan Sarandon.  Maurice Levine former Artistic Director of the famed Lyrics & Lyricists Series at the 92nd Street Y wrote in the Series Program, “Ryder is arguably the best male swing singer in town (NYC).” Recently, Mr. Ryder released his new CD, Love Who You Love featuring Barry Levitt and special guest Stephen Flaherty.  Val’s CD won the 2005 Backstage Bistro Award for Outstanding Recording! He has also won the Bistro Award for Outstanding Male Vocalist. Cabaret Critic, John Hoglund, writing in Backstage Newspaper, says Val’s new “CD is about at good as a jazz stylist can get!”, and, ‘definitive high quality cabaret that can’t get much better!”  The NY POST writes “(Ryder’s) a first class Jazz stylist!” The Daily News writes, “This guy’s voice is as good as gold!”.

Barbara Montgomery. The elegant femme fatale and royal diva par excellence. Awards: Blue Chip Jazz CD Award 2005/IAJE Best Vocals Category; Blue Chip Jazz CD Award 2003/IAJE, Best Vocals Category. Barbara Montgomery has been in the entertainment field for over thirty years as a music industry executive, publisher, producer, songwriter, arranger, recording artist, as well as working in production for film and television

 Maria Muldaur. A world-class singer with depth, substance, human warmth and intelligent improvisations. Maria Muldaur went platinum in two years and forever enshrined Maria in the minds of baby boomers the world over.

Judy Kaye. PlayBill wrote: “From the moment Judy Kaye stepped into the role of Lily Garland in On the Twentieth Century in 1978, it was clear that she was born to play leading roles in musical comedy. John Wilson said: “In most cases, she outshines her songs. She has a glorious voice and a strong confident, straightforward projection combined with a good interpretive sense of her material.”

Etta James. Multi awards winner. James was Born on January 25,  1938 in Los Angeles, California. Awards: Grammy Best Jazz Vocal Performance (1994). Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2003). Grammy (2004). Hollywood Walk of Fame 2003. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 1993.  Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Frank Dain. An amazing and accomplished man at so many levels; artist, designer (designing CD packages, flyers, ads, posters, stationery, brochures and websites), cabaret star, writer, Editor-in-Chief of Cabaret Scenes, one of the world’s finest publications on cabaret, a superb singer with irresistible charisma, elegant finesse, substance, warmth and depth. Frank is also the associate to Kurt Peterson and his company, James William Productions (JWP). JWP is dedicated to creating, nurturing, developing and producing new works for musical theatre. Frank Dain's most recent appearances have been at the Café Pierre in New York City, performing with pianist/singer Kathleen Landis. In Provincetown, MA, he was the sole entertainer for the Sunday Jazz Brunch at “CabaretFest! 2003.” Websites: www.FrankDain.com.

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