2019 ASA Margaret Whiting Award

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2019 ASA Margaret Whiting Award

June 25, 2019
The Laurie Beechman Theatre, NYC

The Laurie Beechman Theatre was the site of the first annual ASA (American Songbook Association) Margaret Whiting Award. Sponsored by the ASA and underwritten by Debbi Bush Whiting and My Ideal Music, the 2019 award was presented to singer-tenor saxophonist-songwriter Danny Bacher. The evening featured performances by past winners of the Award (when it was sponsored by the Mabel Mercer Foundation) Celia Berk, Natalie Douglas, Eric Yves Garcia, and Josephine Sanges. Tex Arnold, who was Margaret’s music director, was the MD for the night, and Saadi Zain was on bass. As the audience arrived, they were treated to the vocals of Margaret Whiting over the sound system. As the musicians took the stage, Marilyn Lester, Executive Director of the ASA, greeted the crowd and introduced the first performer. The performers told a brief story about Margaret between their two songs.
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Frank Dain, treasurer of the ASA and editor of Cabaret Scenes magazine, invited Danny to the stage and read a letter from Todd Murray, another previous winner who could not be there. Frank introduced Debbi who presented the award to Danny.
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After his very funny thank yous, including a site gag that loses its impact in words, he performed two songs.
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He was then joined by Celia, Debbi, Natalie, and Josephine for a lovely version of “Time After Time.” Before they sang, Debbi explained that Margaret was thrilled to learn that her version of the song was used in the film Julie & Julia.

Danny Bacher
Photo: Maryann Lopinto
Danny Bacher & Debbi Bush Whiting
Photo: Maryann Lopinto
Danny Bacher and Margaret Whiting
Photo: Maryann Lopinto
Celia Berk
Photo: Helane Blumfield
Josephine Sanges
Photo: Helane Blumfield
Danny Bacher, John M. Cook, Josephine Sanges
Photo: Maryann Lopinto
Eric Yves Garcia
Photo: Maryann Lopinto
Natalie Douglas and Tex Arnold
Photo: Maryann Lopinto
Danny Bacher
Photo: Helane Blumfield
Celia Berk, Debbi Bush Whiting, Danny Bacher,
Josephine Sanges, Natalie Douglas
Photo: Maryann Lopinto
Tex Arnold
Photo: Maryann Lopinto
Saadi Zain
Photo: Maryann Lopinto
Marilyn Lester, Tex Arnold, Saadi Zain, Josephine Sanges, Natalie Douglas, Danny Bacher, Debbi Bush Whiting,
Celia Berk, Frank Dain
Photo: Helane Bllumfield
Danny & Erin Bacher
Photo: Maryann Lopinto
Marilyn Lester, Natalie Douglas, Celia Berk,
Josephine Sanges, Frank Dain, Danny Bacher
Photo: Maryann Lopinto