WORLD WHO'S WHO IN JAZZ, CABARET, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT: A Tour de Force on an International Scale!
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Maureen McGovern, diva of all divas was written-up in depth in the World Who's
Who and listed in 4 different categories, ranging from the best of the best to
the "legendary divas of American entertainment and theater."
Maximillien de Lafayette, author extraordinaire did it again! He just finished the last chapter of a formidable book. Should I say an encyclopedia?! A massive 4 volume set exceeding 4,000 pages and incorporating 400 chapters and 30,000 entries is en route. And this impressive work is the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment", 1st edition. Available to the public and world music lovers by early February 2007. Needless to say, this overwhelming accomplishment is the most comprehensive and authoritative book ever written about music and the giants who sing and make music. But there is an other fascinating dimension to this book: A sort of un-chartered musical territory encompassing the biographical history of artists, tips on how and where to book a show, how to deal with venues' owners and the tour de force chapter on the best of the best in the business. It is a documented work and a well crafted chronological analysis of contemporary performing arts. However, there is a juicy and controversial chapter in the Who's Who that might infuriate some entertainers. Especially those who were not listed in that chapter, an "audaciously labeled chapter" by the author as Roster of the Legitimate Cabaret-Jazz Singers in America. But de Lafayette fears no beast and no man as a critic once wrote in the International Herald Daily News. The chapter on the best of the best is equally engaging, entertaining and a coup de grace piece of work. Below, is an excerpt:
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Blossom Dearie described as an immortal legend.
JAZZ ARTISTS’ PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY: Best Jazz artists’ promoter: Mr. Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services (USA). MUSIC: The giants:1-Dr. Anthony Brown (USA). 2-Sir Richard Rodney Bennett (UK). 3-Sir George Martin (UK).4-Quincy Jones (USA).5-Andrew Lloyd Weber (UK). JAZZ: Best International Jazz Singer: Ms. Claire Martin (UK). Best International Smooth Jazz Singer: Ms. Carol Welsman (Canada). Best American Female Jazz Singer: Ms. Donna Byrne (USA). Life Achievement Award and Best Radio Jazz Program Creator/Host/Producer: Marian McPartland (USA). Best Publisher of a Jazz Publication: Michael Ricci. Best Jazz Publication: AllAboutJazz.com. World Best Music and Music Resources Publication: Billboard. Best monthly free jazz guide in New York: HotHouseJazz.com. Distinguished Jazz Guide Publisher: Gwen Calvier. Best Editor of a Monthly Jazz Guide: Paul Blair. Pioneering Jazz Writer and Visionary Founder: Gene Kalbacher. AMERICAN CLASSICS AND AMERICAN STANDARDS: Best Male Singers: 1-Tony Bennett. 2-Mark Murphy. Best Female Singers:1-Marlene VerPlanck. 2-Barbara Cook. 3-Maureen McGovern. 4-Blossom Dearie. CABARET: Best International Cabaret Singers: 1-Ute Lemper (Germany). 2-Barb Jungr (UK). Best International Cabaret Concert-Recital: Raquel Bitton (USA). Best American Cabaret Singer: Andrea Marcovicci. Best American Cabaret Singers-Songwriters-Entertainers: 1-Amanda McBroom. 2-Ann Hampton Callaway. Best Cabaret Publications: Cabaret Scenes (USA). Cabaret Hotline Online (USA). Best Publishers of a Cabaret Publication: 1-Stu Hamstra (USA). 2-Keith Meritz (USA). Best Editors-in-Chief of a Cabaret Publication: 1-Frank Dain (USA). 2-Stu Hamstra (USA). Best Cabaret Writer: Elizabeth Ahlfors (USA).
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