Gerry Geddes

Gerry Geddes, critic for BistroAwards.com, is an award-winning director, writer, teacher, performer, lyricist, and a contributor to the podcast Troubadours and Raconteurs. He conceived and directed the acclaimed musical revues Monday in the Dark with George (Bistro and MAC Award winner), Put on Your Saturday Suit—Words & Music by Jimmy Webb, and Gerry Geddes & Company (in its five-year residency at Pangea). He has directed singers André De Shields, Darius de Haas, Helen Baldassare, and Lisa Viggiano. He has been active in the cabaret world for over five decades and has produced numerous CDs; his lyrics have been performed and recorded here and in Europe. Gerry’s workshop, The Art of Vocal Performance, is regularly offered to singers of all levels. His memoir of life in NYC, Didn’t I Ever Tell You This?, was recently published and is available at barnesandnoble.com. He is currently at work on his first novel.

Kenny Barron — “Songbook”

Gerry Geddes
Anyone with even a passing interest in or knowledge of jazz has no doubt heard the name Kenny Barron.  He is an acclaimed master of the piano and has been since the early 1960s.  He has worked with the best in the field and, at 82, he could easily choose to rest on his well-deserved...

“The Beat of a Wandering Heart—The Songs of Marty Silvestri and Joel Higgins”

Gerry Geddes
A revue is a curious inhabitant in the world of cabaret, often existing in a limbo between theatre and cabaret which at its best can benefit from the advantages of both, but can also suffer from the limitations. When it works, a revue can reimagine and showcase the musical and narrative strengths of the material in...

Bill Russell’s “Has Anyone Seen My Mind?”

Gerry Geddes
When lyricist/librettist Bill Russell is not busy writing influential, iconic musicals like the Tony-nominated Side Show and Elegies for Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens he does not put down the pen (or the keyboard) but rather keeps busy with an endless stream of poems and observations, rants and raves. He culls his favorites from the...

Maureen Kelley Stewart— “This Is Always”

Gerry Geddes
If likability were quantifiable, say on a scale of one to 10, singer Maureen Kelley Stewart would probably rate a 12. Her new show, and return to cabaret, This Is Always, was filled with beguiling charm and her ingratiating joy in singing. From her debut in 1991 she has always partnered with some of New...

Kim David Smith’s “Comme Une Folle: torch songs for tough times because gay”

Gerry Geddes
With his new show, at Joe's Pub, Comme Une Folle: torch songs for tough times because gay, singer Kim David Smith stepped out from the shadow of Marlene Dietrich and claimed the spotlight as his own, without an assist from the legendary diva.  Not that being in her shadow was in any way a detriment...

Juliet Ewing’s “Simply ‘S Wonderful—The Magic Of Gershwin”

Gerry Geddes
Regardless of the prevailing musical tastes, singers in each generation discover the remarkable, varied, romantic and passionate musical artistry of George and Ira Gershwin. What is often forgotten (or not realized) is that their output in its time was not in the jazz idiom. They inhabited the worlds of pop, Broadway, and even opera later in their...

Hannah Gill’s “Spooky Jazz Vol. 3”

Gerry Geddes
I am aware that the traditional phrase is “moved to tears” but when listening to Hannah Gill’s new album, Spooky Jazz Vol 3, I was on many occasions moved to smiles.  The musicianship, the personality, the wit, and the inspired song choices shine as both a recording and a palliative.  Someone watching me listen to...

Deborah Stone— “String Theory”

Gerry Geddes
The idea of multiple universes, and worlds within worlds, is everywhere these days, from Marvel and DC movies, from podcasts, from books, from television. Admittedly this is an odd thought to pop up into my head while sitting in the audience at Don’t Tell Mama recently for singer Deborah Stone’s wonderful new show, String Theory,...

Lauren Scales, Mike Flanagan, and Chris Grasso Celebrate Their New Album, “Many Rivers”

Gerry Geddes
Jazz is no stranger to the stage at 54 Below but the hard-edged, hardcore jazz that was presented by singer Lauren Scales, saxophonist Mike Flanagan, and pianist Chris Grasso was not the usual bill of fare, so there was a special excitement in the room as the trio, aided in no small way by bassist...

“Come Fly with Jimmy Van Heusen”—the Latest in Deborah Grace Winer’s “Songbook Sundays” Series

Gerry Geddes
Edward Chester Babcock was raised in a strictly religious household so when he realized that he wanted to pursue a career in show business he felt compelled to change his name. Thanks to a catchy ad for men’s shirts he became Jimmy Van Heusen, ultimately becoming one of the shining stars of the Great American Songbook...