From Jason Graae's liner notes for his just-released CD, Perfect Hermany.
Jerry Herman is the reason I got into this Business. I don’t know whether to hug him or to hit him. I will NEVER forget the first time I heard “Some Enchanted Evening” and my life was changed. Oh wait – that was Rodgers and Hammerstein! I knew that. I have always loved Jerry’s scores, and come on – WHO DOESN’T?
I started piano lessons when I was 9 – my piano bench was filled with Grieg, Beethoven, Mozar t, “Claire de Lune” and the vocal selections from Mame. Guess which one I practiced the most? “It’s Today,” “Open a New Window,” “You’re My Best Girl” were my hymns. I grew up in the Bible Belt so that was… interesting. I was definitely different than most of the other children. I’ve been so lucky to have worked closely with Jerry over the last 10 years. When you’re with him it’s so easy to forget that he’s Broadway royalty – he’s quite unassuming, has twinkling eyes and a smile like the Cheshire Cat, and he’s just plain fun to be around. He is also unbelievably generous, has an INCREDIBLE sense of humor, and has impeccable taste in just about ever ything. And to top it all off, he is so supportive of singers performing his material – as long as it still SOUNDS like his material!
And Jerry Herman said:
"Jason instinctively knows how to find the smile or the tug at the heart behind my music and lyrics. . . . How I love Jason Graae singing my songs!"
Cahn Auditorium, Evanston: Oct. 16, 7:00 PM
Tags: jason graae, jerry herman, music, musical theater, song, sing, entertain, perform
