The American Songbook Association (ASA) is pleased to announce the 2022 recipients of the first ASA|Pomranz Performance Grants. The 2022 recipients are Kathleen France (of New York and Texas), Alexis Fae Gach (of Los Angeles), and Tim Keller (of Los Angeles and Seattle). The presentation of the grants will take place at this year’s first ASA|Darrell Henline Award fundraiser honoring Eric Michael Gillett on Sunday, October 2 at 6:30 pm at New York City’s Chelsea Table + Stage.
The purpose of these grants is to help performers start the process to rehearse, appear live, or record their music. The grants, initially funded at $5,000 per year, will be given annually to as many as five recipients. The recipients are those performers who embrace the Great American Songbook, and they will be selected by the ASA Board. In coming years, selected cabaret and club owners from the U.S. and the U.K. will be asked to nominate two performers from their venues. There is no preference regarding age when determining the recipients; as the wonderful friend of the ASA|Cabaret Scenes Sarah Rice says, “There is no expiration date in Cabaret!”
Carolyn Montgomery, Executive Director of the ASA remarked, “This is an exciting example of how the ASA is seeking to help artists. With these grants, performers will be inspired to try out their work and to even find new audiences, fulfilling our mission.”
Craig Pomranz commented, “My work on the Board of the ASA has put me in touch with so many wonderful artists. I am truly delighted to get this program started and hope these grants will encourage performers to keep the Great American Songbook in the public eye.” Craig is an internationally known performer and children’s book author who, through these grants, seeks to preserve the legacy of the Great American Songbook
Kathleen France is an award-winning singer and voiceover actress. She is the official voice of Lincoln Center in New York City and has been nominated for an Emmy Award for her voiceover narration work on Blueprint: NYC, an historical documentary TV series. This AEA actress has had the opportunity to see the world, working at Tokyo Disneyland in Japan, singing in tours across Europe and the US, as well as singing in nightclubs in New York City. She loves doing cool things with sound waves—shooting them into patient’s bodies to see their beautiful hearts during the day, and recording songs or audiobooks at night.
Alexis Fae Gach is a native of Los Angeles. A lover, a fighter, a friend, a singer. Alexis has lived in the redwoods, in Italy, and on the East Coast in pursuit of her drive to connect through song. Her love affair with the Great American Songbook began during her studies at the Berklee College where she graduated with a dual degree in Songwriting and Vocal Performance. Her journey started as a singer-songwriter performing originals and folk covers. Alexis revels in the intimacies of cabaret and intricacies of jazz. She has made her home back in L.A., and is deeply grateful to any walking companion she has for their patience as she stops to pet every dog she sees.
Tim Keller is best-known work is starring as Jack Skellington in The Triple Door theater’s musical dance spectacular This is Halloween, a role he has reprised yearly since 2010. He spends his days performing for assisted living and memory care patients at Seattle-area nursing homes and he also works as a church musician. He has appeared in shows with the 5th Avenue Theater, Village Theater, Puget Sound Concert Opera, and Lyric Opera Northwest, and is a frequent featured soloist with Seattle Rock Orchestra. Tim is currently developing his first full-length rock opera, The Chronicles of Lazer, scheduled to debut in summer of 2023.
ASA|Darrell Henline Award
ASA|Pomranz Performance Grant
Sunday, October 2 at 6:30 pm
Chelsea Table + Stage, 152 W. 26th St. NYC
Ringside seating is $69, Premium seats are $49, and general seating is $29. There is a livestream option available for $29. For tickets, please visit www.chelseatableandstage.com.
Please join us by continuing your support as a member of the ASA which helps us sustain our efforts to keep the Great American Songbook playing for existing audiences and future generations. Learn more at www.americansonbookassociation.org. Become a member for just You’re your membership includes a year’s subscription (6 issues) to Cabaret Scenes, the only print publication to cover cabaret. This is just one of the many benefits of membership.
American Songbook Association Inc. (ASA)—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in New York State—seeks to preserve, promote, and advance the legacy of American popular music, the Great American Songbook (classic and new), and the unique art form of cabaret. The ASA publishes the long-established Cabaret Scenes magazine, conducts educational programs in New York City public schools, and creates performances serving its audience of seniors, students, and others. We strive to inspire, transform, empower, and create torchbearers for future generations so they may understand, appreciate and embrace the historical and cultural importance of America’s rich musical heritage. Please visit us online at AmericanSongbookAssociation.org for more information.
