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.

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...

Karen Mason: “More SPF! The Summer Continues!”

Gerry Geddes
Reviewing Karen Mason’s wonderful new show, More SPF! The Summer Continues! at Don’t Tell Mama was a full-circle moment for me; I first reviewed her as half of the opening night of the venerable cabaret back in 1982; the other half of that evening was Nancy Lamott. Mason was incredible in ’82 and, if possible,...

Tammy McCann in “Legendary Ladies of Jazz—Ella, Sarah, Dinah, & Billie”

Gerry Geddes
Jazz/blues singer Tammy McCann paid a visit from her home in Chicago to 54 Below in NYC to celebrate The Legendary Ladies of Jazz—Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Dinah Washington. There was nothing edgy or adventurous about the choice of singers, or songs, but I suppose that was to be expected.  It did...

Amy Jo Jackson— “Laugh It Up”

Gerry Geddes
If one were to look up the meaning of the phrase “explosively talented,” one might very well find a picture of Amy Jo Jackson.  She is a blast of TNT talent in a genre often lacking in excitement and solid entertainment and laughs.  She not only raises the roof—she lowers the floor, she destroys the...

Club Review: James Jackson, Jr. Celebrates a Debut Album Release, “Birth”

Gerry Geddes
Some may know singer-actor and Obie-winner James Jackson, Jr. from his acclaimed theatre work, including the Pulitzer- and Tony-winning A Strange Loop, or most recently White Girl in Danger which played at the Vineyard Theatre. While he has been extending his exemplary theatrical career, he has also steadily developed into a first-rate cabaret performer, culminating in...

Matthew Brookshire Sings The Wedding Album

Gerry Geddes
Singer/songwriter/pianist Matthew Brookshire opened the new singer-songwriter series at Pangea with Matthew Brookshire Sings The Wedding Album, a show filled with memorable originals, smartly chosen covers, and loads of charm and surprising emotional depth. It recounted the adventures of a gay man facilitating the weddings of heterosexual couples.  Matthew Brookshire (Photo: Erika Capin) Brookshire had...

“Josh Johnson’s Garden Variety Show”

Gerry Geddes
Josh Johnson, one of the freshest, funniest young comics around, is familiar to many from his regular contributions to The Daily Show and his frequent on-line posts, including weekly full-length concerts. When I first came across a hilarious clip on YouTube, I subscribed immediately and have been following him (and laughing) ever since. I recently got...