Bobby Short, the Life and Times of a Saloon SingerBobby Short is the Astaire of saloon singers, an internationally admired symbol of style and glamour. Bobby Short, The Life and Times of a Saloon Singer traces his life and career from poor-but-proud midwestern roots to world-class celebrity, from child performer to cabaret icon. Along the way, the book offers a vivid, clear-eyed picture of what it was like to be young, talented, and black in the nightclub world of the thirties, forties, and early fifties - the backstage camaraderie, the thrill of working with musical idols, the pain and humiliation of cross-country racism. It takes the now-polished professional through the good times/bad times cabaret doldrums of the next decade - a mix of one-night stands, never-ending travel, and surprise opportunity - and relates in detail his triumphant longtime tenure at Manhattan's Hotel Carlyle. In a truly synergistic collaboration with writer Robert Mackintosh, Bobby Short tells his story with wit, grace, and perception. There are pointed impressions of his peers and heroes - among them Art Tatum, Maber Mercer, Duke Ellington, Lena Horne, and Pearl Bailey. Vignettes capture the special flavor of post-World War II life in Paris, London, and Los Angeles. His memories include total-recall accounts of White House parties with three presidents and their first ladies. And, with delight that readers will surely find contagious, Bobby Short shares his encyclopedic knowledge of show tunes and supper club songs - along with the quintessential New Yorker's love affair with his town. |
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applause Art Tatum ASCAP asked audience Bach Betty Bill Blue Angel Bobby Short Bookie Levin Broadway Brown cabaret Cafe called Carlyle Chicago club Cole Porter colored crowd customers dance Danville dinner door Dorothy dress Duke Duke Ellington East Ellington entertainment Ethel Waters favorite floor Fredi Fredi Washington French friends front Gala George Wein Geraldine Stutz going Haig Harold hear heard Hollywood jazz Jean Jim Dolan Jimmy John Johnny knew lady later Lena Horne living London looked lounge loved Mabel Mercer Mars morning mother movie musicians Negro Nellie never night opening Paris party performers Phil Moore pianist piano played Portia Nelson revue saloon sang singer singing smile songs spot stage star stay Street style suit talk theater thought told took town walked wanted Warner Bros wearing week York