SINCE 1980VOLUME 30, NUMBER 1 OCTOBER 2008www.NYSMS.org

New York Sheet Music SocietyNewsletter

DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION OF CLASSIC POPULAR MUSIC

Continued on page 5

By Jerry Laird

I often want to start these reviewswith Wow! because so many of ourmeetings have been worthy ofWow! However, with SheilaWeiller, Im looking for a synonymfor Double Wow! Sylvia Symsherself was a Double Wow, and oneof my all-time favorite performers. Iwas wondering how anyone could doher justice. Well, Sheila showed me.She didnt imitate her. She didntsing only Sylvias songs. Yet, shebrought Sylvia Syms to the meeting.And she was very generous in givingcredit to her co-workers: her director(Linda Amiel Burns) and to herfantastic Accompanist/Music

Let Us Now Praise Sheila WeillerFor Singing the Praises of Sylvia Syms

Pho

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Linda Amiel Burns, Barry Levitt & Sheila Weiler

Director/Arranger (Barry Levitt).She did ballads, blues numbers, torchsongs, and show tunes a la Symsteachings. But she did it the Sheila

Weiller way: one of Sylvia Symsbasic teachings.

Sylvia Syms death is legendary.If Hollywood used it, no one wouldaccept it as real. She had completedher tribute to Frank Sinatra (he calledher the worlds greatest saloonsinger) in the Oak Room at theAlgonquin, was taking her curtaincalls, and right in the middle of herbows, she just left this earth. (Thename of the movie would be What aWay to Go!) But Sheila Weillerreminded us that Sylvia really hasntleft this earth. With video clips, CDs,and Sheila, shes still here.

Sheila got inside Silvia Syms,and let us see her and, in a sense,hear her. We left the meeting feelingwe had met and gotten to know thispersonfrom being a perfectionist

Dody Goodman, whose ditzy comicpersona was well known to patronsof theatre, film and television fromthe 1950s on, died June 22 at theActors Fund Home in New Jersey, aspokesperson for the Fundconfirmed. Her age was thought tobe 92 by many accounts, though thesubject of her birthdate wassomething she was known to falsifythroughout her career. Her agent saidshe was 94.

She first struck out in show businessas a dancer, hoofing it through a

Dody Goodman, Comedienneand Actress, Dies at 92

Continued on page 4

Welcome to the 2008-2009 season! Can you believe how quickly theSummer flew by? However, I love Autumn in New York myfavorite time of year.

Looking forward to our first meeting on October 18th with Marni Nixonas our guest. As you know, the NYSMS meets on the 2nd Saturday of eachmonth, but October 11th falls on Columbus Day Weekend, and I will beattending a party in Ohio given by my sons wifes family to celebratetheir marriage. I didnt want to miss the opening Program and many of ourmembers also said they were going away on that weekend so we willbegin on October 18th dont miss our opening day!

The Fall Singing Experience workshop From Broadway to Hollywoodwill be performing at The Triad on October 22th - our esteemed Editors84th birthday Julie Wilsons is the day before! Anyway, well give youmore information on that so come and help Jerry Laird celebrate hisbirthday. In November, Jerry will also be performing two solo shows atDont Tell Mama, as well as recording his seventh CD! Jerry is a veryyoung 84!

Also, Happy 100th Birthday to Bernie Bierman, our remarkable memberand a terrific songwriter. Bernie threw himself a fabulous birthday bash atthe rooftop of the Beekman Hotel with many performers singing his songs.However, the best was the speech of the witty Bernie himself. He iscertainly one of a kindcant wait for next years party!

There will be a memorial service for our dear member and friend DodyGoodman at St. Peters Lutheran Church at 7:00PM on October 27th. Thisis not open to the public. However, if you wish to attend you can e-mail ourBoard member Joan Adams at joa@corcoran.com or leave a phone messagefor her at 212-875-2834 to be put on the guest list. A reception and aspecial film will follow the service.

Many thanks to our Board for all the work they do. We had a meeting inJune, and have planned a wonderful season for you so be sure to rejoin,bring your friends and encourage them to become a part of the NYSMS.This is still the best deal in town.

See you on October 18th at Local 802.Best wishes,

New YorkSheet Music SocietyA NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION

O F F I C E R S

President............................LindaAmiel Burns1st Vice Presidents.................................................................Lynn DiMenna& Sam Teicher2ndVice Presidents ...........................................................Robert Kimball & Sandy MarroneTreasurer...................................Glen Charlow56 GarrisonAve., Jersey City, NJ 07306

Membership .......Glen Charlow & Trudi MannRecording Sec. .............................Edie StokesPrograms & Special Events.......................................................Elliott Ames & Sandi DurellMarketing & Public Relations....Laura SlutskyWebsite ....................................Glen Charlow

http://www.NYSMS.orgNewsletter Editor & Publisher..........Jerry Laird

lairdstdio@optonline.net214 HighlandAve., Norwalk, CT 06853

Assistant Editor............................JoanAdamsGraphic Designer.......................Glen Charlow

designer@NYSMS.org

PAGE 2 NEW YORK SHEET MUSIC SOCIETY OCTOBER, 2008

Presidents Message...

Linda

ALSOFrom our president...

Special Theater Discounts forNYSMS Members! We know thatyou love a good deal, so inassociation with Marna Mintzer andMGM Consulting, NYSMSmembers are being offeredBroadway & Off Broadway theatreticket discounts of approximately48% or more off retail, plus artsevent ticket discounts ranging from30-50% off. For show updates andordering information, call 212-935-2664 to hear what is available andplease mention your specialMembership code #A1. Offeringschange frequently so phone theHotline and listen carefully to themany choices currently available.

Send Member News to Lairdstdio@optonline.net no later than the 15th of each month for the next issue.

OCTOBER, 2008 NEW YORK SHEET MUSIC SOCIETY PAGE 3

Scott Siegels 4th Annual Broadway cabaret festival, October 17th-19th at Town Hall (123 W. 43rd) Visit http://www.the-townhall=nyc.org. Top Broadway talent

Elizabeth Sharland has a new book, Passionate Pilgrimages, thatshe previewed at one of those wonderful free book/entertainmentevents that Barnes & Noble has on Thursday nights.

Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano will be at the Caf Sabarsky,1048 5th Ave, (86th St.) on Thursdays: September 25th and October2nd. 7:00 pm prix-fixe dinner, 9:00 pm concert. Reservations: 212-628-6200.

Scot Albertson, will be at The West Bank Caf, October 23rd, 8:00pm (407 W. 42nd, just West of 9th Ave). With the Daryl Kojak JazzGroup: piano, bass, percussion, two violins, and a viola. $20 cover,$14 minimum. Reservations are recommended. Call 212 695-6909

Edie Stokess Lifes Lessons Learned #101 will be at Dont TellMama, October 19th, at 4:30 pm. Call 212-757-0788. $10 cover,plus a two drink minimum.

Jerry Laird will be at Dont Tell Mama, November 9th at 2:00 pm,and November 12th at 6:00 pm. Paul Chamlin is the MusicalDirector. $15 cover, plus two drink minimum.

Hope you didnt miss the Sheila Weiler and Barry Levitt tribute toSylvia Syms at our June meeting. You dont see many tributes toSyms, who was one great singer. And Weiller did herself and Sylviaproud with her show.

Linda Amiel Burns next Singing Experience, From Broadway toHollywood will be at The Triad on October 22nd. Richard Danleywill be at the piano. Call Linda for information and reservations: 212315 3500.

TRU Faces of Cabaret at Dont Tell Mama September 22nd, 7:00pm. Linda Amiel Burns directs this Benefit for Theater ResourcesUnlimited, starring TRU Songwriters and performers. $35 cover/$35for members, plus a two drink minimum.

Cynthia Crane has released her performance of If I Knew Now(What I Knew Then) from her live performance at HelensHideawaywith Tracy Stark and Boots Maleson. You can get it fromwww.cynthiacrane.com or Amazon.com, or CDbaby.com, orCabaretScene,som.

In Manhattan, you can see The Singing Experiences on Cable. TimeWarner, Chan 56: RCN Chan 83, every other Sunday at 5 pm(October 12th, October 26th, etc.)

Do you seek an elusive song? If so, contact Sandy Marrone,

smusandy@aol.com or call 856-829-6104. You can also visit Sandyin New Jersey to see thousands and thousands of sheets of music,most of which can be yours very reasonably.

Saint Peters Midtown Jazz at Noon, St. Peters Lutheran Church,Wednesdays at 1:00 pm, hosted by Ronny Whyte, 54th & Lex.Suggested Donation: $7. Ronnys website: www.ronnywhyte.com.There are always great programs.

Rachel Stone continues her great job of providing a veryprofessional Community Cabaret at very affordable prices at theUnitarian Church at 40 East 35th, between Park & Madison. Ticketsare only $15, but you (NYSMS members) get in for $10. For moreinformation, call 718-471-0102.

Trudi Manns Open Mic is now at the Butterfield Eight Restaurant,5 East 38th St. 212-679-0646, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.. If youregonna sing, bring TWO copies of your music. Sign in starts aroundnoon. No cover, but the hat is passed on behalf of the musicians.There is a $16 minimum.

Scott Barbarino has a website www.CabaretExchange.com forexcellent features and articles, and to find out where he is currentlyplaying.

Lynn DiMenna and Jeffrey C. Williams have resumed theirweekly live radio broadcasts, At The Ritz, on WVOF 88.5 FMfrom 3:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturdays. Better still, heres how to heartheir show anytime you want: g