It's A Fine Line: Renaissance Man or Dilettante
THE JAZZ CAT SWINGS, STRUTS & CROONS ABOUT THOSE CATS OF THE FELINE VARIETY
Combing the archives turned up this fun recording done several years ago with some extraordinary talented folks.
Give yourself a “Cheshire grin” and check it out right meow!
TODAY WOULD HAVE BEEN HENRY MANCINI’S 93rd BIRTHDAY.
I can’t let today go by without acknowledging one of my greatest mentors and benefactors, never to be forgotten.
Upon arriving in L.A. back in 1976, I was greatly blessed to work for Henry, eventually administering all his music publishing for a short time before moving on to build my performance career – the original purpose in my relocating to the west coast.
TODAY IS HARRY MORGAN’S 102nd BIRTHDAY.
Depending on your age, you’ll probably remember actor Harry Morgan fondly from one or more of his over 100 films – or, on TV, from the original “Dragnet” (1951-1959), “December Bride” (1954-1959), “Pete and Gladys” (1960-1962) or “M*A*S*H” (1972-1983).
Harry also starred in another largely (but unfairly) forgotten TV series. In 1986, I had the great pleasure of guesting on “Blacke’s Magic,” a delightful but short-lived series starring Hal Linden and Harry Morgan – as a magician/sleuth and his father, who served as his assistant in his off-stage adventures.
ON APRIL FOOL’S DAY…
… it’s good to remember that, at one time or another, we’ve ALL played the fool – some of us more often than others.
Here’s one of my more purposeful and pleasant times as the Fool (type casting?) — in “King Lear” for NYC’s Shrunken Shakespeare Company (SSC), with director Paul Sorvino as Lear and a brilliantly talented cast, a few of whom are pictured here at the Gala, including, Eric Tucker, Anne Bates, Paul, Chukwudi Iwuji, me and Clodagh Bowyer.
March 12th is the birthday of one of my dear friends and colleagues for many years, Scoey Mitchlll. And I always try to remember my buddy’s birthday.
During the 1960s and 70s, Scoey was a trailblazer for African Americans in the world of standup comedy, appearing regularly on the Ed Sullivan Show and so many other variety shows and game shows. He also went on to blaze more trails, however, behind the camera as a successful writer / producer / director. Continue reading “Still Scoey After All These Years”
… last night at Rupert’s Brew House, swingin’ hard with some really fine local musicians – all an integral part of the vibrant Kalamazoo music scene!
HAPPY 96th BIRTHDAY, Carol Channing, the great star of Broadway, film, television, recordings and even a Super Bowl half-time show!
The last time I saw Carol was quite a few years ago. I was performing at Vine St. Bar & Grill, a then-famous Hollywood jazz show room. We followed Anita O’Day, who loved our music and invited me to come see her perform the next night in Beverly Hills. Continue reading ““Hello Dolly” – An Evening with Carol Channing”
… Quite a while ago, I was interviewed by author/broadcaster Bob O’Brien (Bob Leszczak) about my experiences doing two short-lived TV series on NBC back in the 1980’s, (“Me & Mrs. C” and “13 East”).
Bob was very knowledgeable about the shows and we had a delightful chat – but that was, as I said, quite a while ago and I had completely forgotten about it.
Well, Bob’s latest book is now out and “Single Season Sitcoms of the 1980’s – A Complete Guide” is just as advertised and more – an amazingly complete guide to a wide array of comedy shows no longer forgotten and I’m very pleased to be a very small part of this impressive work. Continue reading “BY THE BOOK…”
