A Full and Funny Musical Evening with Ray Jessel
Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 8:00 pm
"In the royal court of cabaret . . . Ray Jessel is the jester. The septuagenarian Welsh-Jewish songwriter's prankishly literate ditties, recall the smart novelty songs of Tom Lehrer, Allan Sherman and other masters of high silliness."
Adam Feldman...TIME OUT New York
"Ray Jessel is living and beaming proof that, even if you no longer break-dance on the corner, you can even be more effective than
ever as an Einstein look-alike."
Finkle....VILLAGE VOICE
About the Event
Born in Wales, immigrated to Canada, invited by producer Alexander H. Cohen to Broadway, Ray Jessel was co-composer/lyricist of the Broadway musical about Sherlock Holmes – Baker Street and the last lyricist to work with Richard Rodgers, contributing lyrics to songs in I Remember Mama, working with Rodgers on "A Little Bit More," the last song Rodgers was to write for the musical stage.
Jessel was writer/producer for the hit television series Head of the Class. Other credits include The Carol Burnett Show, The Dean Martin Show and The Love Boat.
Jessel's songs have been recorded by Louis Armstrong, Jimmy Durante, Peggy Lee & Sammy Davis Jr., and, with his current partner (in writing and life) Cynthia Thompson, is represented on recent CD's by Michael Feinstein, John Pizzarelli & Karen Akers.
Making his debut (at 72!) as a Cabaret performer at Hollywood's Gardenia in April, 2002, he has since played to a series of sell-out performances there, at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles, in San Francisco & Toronto, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and in New York at Don't Tell Mama, where he will be performing this October.
He has been a featured star in the Mabel Mercer Foundation's Cabaret Convention in Palm Springs, New York and the Hamptons on Long Island.
Ray Jessel won the magazine BACK STAGE's Bistro Award for 2004. He is the winner of five (count ‘em, five!) MAC Awards (Manhattan Association of Cabaret Performers and Clubs). The MAC is Cabaret's Oscar.
His debut CD, "RAY JESSEL - THE FIRST 70 YEARS" received acclaim and a lot of airplay. His new CD, ‘NAUGHTY OR NICE†is receiving the same applause.