by Paul Klemperer

Jazz singer Mady Kaye is both an entertainer and a historian. She is one of the most respected and sought after voice instructors in Austin, both because of the precision of her technique and her extensive knowledge of singing styles. For years she has been performing the music she loves to a wide array of audiences, from smokey bars to restaurants to theaters. No matter what the venue is, her exacting talent and expressiveness brings out the essence of her material. As one reviewer put it, "She declaims her text like a reader of fine poetry."

Mady Kaye's 1997 release, Songs For All Seasons provides a good sample of her abilities, mixing jazz standards with original numbers, backed by some of the best jazz players in Austin, including A.D. Mannion on drums, Mitch Watkins on guitar, and Tony Campise on saxophone, just to name a few. Her thoughtful interpretations highlight her vocal expertise, from art song to bebop.

In April of 1998 Kaye's performing took a new direction when she was asked to give a lecture in the Learning Activities for Mature People (LAMP) series. The subject was the "Lyricist in the Golden Age of Song, the music of the 1920's and '30's." It was a chance to share the stories behind the songs and the legendary writers responsible for so many jazz standards. (For example, did you know that songwriter Irving Mills first published Duke Ellington's songs and helped secure his place in the pantheon of Tin Pan Alley?)

The success of this lecture inspired Kaye to expand the historical presentation into a musical tribute to Tin Pan Alley, a 30-song one-woman show, with musical accompaniment by her husband Spike on bass and Jeff Helmer on piano. Blending narration, historical anecdotes, period costumes and musical numbers, the cabaret style show was performed at Zachary Scott Theater on August 13-15 of this year to capacity crowds.

It was a great experience for her and for her audience. When I spoke with her, she began to describe the show, reconstructing the atmosphere and even growing wistful as she described her full-length beaded and sequinned gowns. The fact that the shows sold out made her realize it could have played for a long time.

Fortunately for her many fans, Kaye decided to record the Zach Scott show as a live CD. Edited down to 72 minutes of music and narration, it will be released as Mady Kaye Goes Cabaret: A Tribute To Tin Pan Alley and will include many classic songs, including "Forty-Second Street," "Puttin' On The Ritz," and "Lullabye Of Birdland."

Mady Kaye will celebrate her new offering with a CD release party on Saturday, November 13, 8 pm, at the Bombay Room (the music showcase above the Clay Pit Restaurant at Guadalupe and 17th). It should be a swinging time. You can also check her out at her website.