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Frank Sinatra – What can I say about Frank that hasn’t already been said? I have loved Frank for as long as I can remember; I honestly can’t remember when I first became a fan, or why. Nobody in my family knows… for all they know, I could have been born knowing about and loving Frank Sinatra. And who, knowing him, could not help loving him? He is undoubtedly the greatest interpreter of American popular song the world has ever known, and his greatness will never be matched by any other singer, much less me. Still, he is an inspiration to me, in his classically-influenced vocal technique and his (adjectives fail me) perfect way of phrasing a lyric. Frank had the story-telling part of singing down to an art form, and is the greatest master an aspiring vocalist could learn from. |
| Judy Garland – [coming soon] |  |
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Leonard Bernstein – Known to most as the man who composed the music for “West Side Story,” Leonard Bernstein was really so much more. Not only a composer of Broadway music but of serious classical music, also a conductor, a pianist, a writer, a teacher… Lenny brought classical music to an entire generation through his “Young People’s Concerts” and led the New York Philharmonic to new, dazzling heights during his 11-year term as musical director. I admire Lenny for so many reasons, and he has so many qualities worth admiring, that it is hard to define them all in a small space. He was simply a genius, but a genius with a gift for communicating to the masses on a personal, easy-to-understand level. He had a marvelous sense of humor as well! |
| Dean Martin – I love Dean for most of the same reasons that everyone else does. He was a fine great singer who made everything look completely effortless! He could swing, he could croon, he was funny, he was a dramatic actor… and all the while, he was so nonchalant and “cool.” Although Dean’s vocal style is casual and unaffected, he naturally has a warm, round tone that is almost operatic at times, and is certainly evidence of his Italian heritage. His technique and breath support are worth emulating, even for a classical singer! |  |
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Sammy Davis Jr. – Sammy is a vastly under-rated performer who had an incredible singing voice, among many other talents. He was an excellent dancer and impersonator as well as an actor and even comedian. In short (and he was that, too!) he was an all-around performer who could do anything– and succeed. But it is his voice that blows me away every time, that powerful instrument that could blow the roof off and bring the house down! (How does half a person make all that noise? -Jerry Lewis) His sense of rhythm, as well, was highly developed and makes his recordings a virtual education in rhythmic singing. |
| Jerry Lewis – It is nearly impossible to list all of the reasons why I love Jerry. First of all, for his comedic talent. Second, for his kind and generous spirit. Third, for his intelligence and vast array of knowledge. Fourth… he’s quite cute! I could go on and on, about his work with Dean Martin, and his success not only as a performer, as a singer and dancer, but as a director and writer, as an innovative film-maker, as a humanitarian, as a genius! But I think you get the idea. |  |
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Douglas Sills – Although Douglas refers to himself as an actor rather than a singer, he is certainly has the finest voice of any non-singer that I have ever heard! I did not see Douglas in a live production of “The Scarlet Pimpernel” but I own the cast recordings and have seen various clips of his performance on the internet. He is a superb vocalist as well as an extremely funny and dashingly handsome man! |
| Shaun Cassidy – Although the style of music I perform is not at all similar to Shaun’s pop records, I admire Shaun’s vocal ability and musicianship. I’m also impressed with the way he handled his career after his “teen idol” days were over. He has proven himself to be an exceptionally intelligent and talented man, in all areas of show-business! |  |
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Christine Schäfer – Christine is an opera singer from Germany who made her debut in 1988 and has peformed many roles to international acclaim. She is a light lyric soprano, and her lovely tone is similar to what I hope mine will be when my voice matures. I had the privelege of seeing Christine perform Brahms’ Requiem with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in September 2008. |
| Barbra Streisand – [coming soon] |  |
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Leontyne Price – [coming soon] |
