A MONUMENTAL WORK. A GIGANTIC ACCOMPLISHMENT! FROM AUTHORITATIVE ARTICLES TO PARADE OF GLAMOROUS STARS!

Another spectacular masterpiece by entertainment critic and author extraordinaire, Maximillien de Lafayette. It is a gigantic set of 6 volumes exceeding 4,000 pages. An odyssey of the world of showbiz, music, jazz, American standards, and cabaret. And from a different angle, World Who s Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment becomes a biographic encyclopedia of the who s who in music, the pioneers, the composers, the musicians, the stars, the singers and musical organizations. In brief, it is monumental. Sailing into the immense world of the six volumes, we discover the unexpected, an aspect of biographical work rarely revealed to the public: The advice and tips, the author and his editorial board of 100+ give the readers, the performers and singers. An elaborate chapter on what a singer must know and must do when booking a venue for a live performance illustrates the intensity, the practical value and use of the voluminous set. The World Who s Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment could be compared to a continuous non-stop symphonic performance by an orchestra of 1,000 musicians from all genres and schools under the baton of an international conductor. Each one brings to the symphony a personal cache and unexpected notes. And it works! Because this heavyweight Who s Who is astronomical. Just imagine what you could find going through 200 chapters in 3 volumes! And the biographical notes! Almost 30,000 entries. The Who s Who is well crafted and divided into several parts, such as, biographies, data and facts, charts and analyses, and resources. In brief, it embraces all facets and aspects of the world of music and those who make music. Most impressive it is. Authoritative? Affirmative. Useful? No questions asked, simply because it is the world s first who s who of music, singers, performers by Myrna Hughes and David Nye--International Herald Daily News

DIVAS OF JAZZ AND CABARET AS CATCHY COVER GIRLS by Arlette Lagrange and Myrna Hughes

The Federation of American Musicians, Singers and Performing Artists (FAMSPA) and Times Square Press published a most impressive encyclopedic series of 6 volumes on Jazz, Cabaret and the performing arts around the world "World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment" authored by the international best selling author Maximillien de Lafayette who has to his credits 105 books, 3 encyclopedias and 10 volumes on entertainment and divas. The Who's Who is an overwhelming accomplishment encompassing 400 chapters and including 40,000 entries. Basically, it is a thematic and biographical compilation of the world of showbiz, singers, divas and musicians. One of the most appealing and intriguing aspects of this series is the cover of each volume. Don't expect to see Berlin, Porter or Sondheim on the front or back covers of this massive series. Instead, gaze at the beautiful photos of legendary female singers, icons and divas.

ONLY WOMEN!! NO MEN!?


Yep! women invaded the cover. Not a single male performer featured on the front cover. However, James Gordon Beck from the UK and Frank Jackson a veteran Jazz musician from the United States appeared on the back cover of Volume II of the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment. What is the deal here? Why so many women were selected to crown the covers and not men? George Evans, a highly respected jazz singer in Canada asked Carol Lexter, associate editor of the Who's Who :"My goodness, are there no male vocalists in the cabaret and jazz industries worthy of a cover?" Lexter explains: "Those ladies who appeared on the 3 covers (so far) are something else...they are different, unique and original in their style, persona and career highlights. In a sense, they are the four winds of world entertainment. Each one of them represents a particular era and a distinctive style. They are the perfect formula for the covers."

How about those big names...people like Tony Bennett, Mark Murphy and Little Richard? You could consider them "different winds of world entertainment" as well? "I agree, said Carol Lexter, "but our cover girls, I mean those great ladies on the covers are more exciting, prettier, bubbly, intriguing... we want something exciting, not always the same old cliché." added Lexter.

WHO ARE THOSE BUBBLY DIVAS?

Germaine Poitiers, a senior contributor and member of the editorial board of the World Who's Who said: " those divas are the best of the best in the business. Some are a household name, legends in their own right, and some are the rising stars of the new wave of jazz and cabaret. We were very selective...and we are happy with our selections. We got great people, Jill Corey, a living legend, Barb Jungr, first lady of cabaret in the UK, the one and only Peggy Judy, Judy is phenomenal...and Sarah James, a superb artist, composer, musician, philosopher and singer....we had those 4 great stars on the cover of Volume III. And on the back cover we have Rebecca Spencer, one of the best singers and performers in the civilized world, she is pure gold, also we have Teri Roiger, a sparkling and intelligent jazz and American standards composer-singer."


And on the other covers, I asked Poitiers. "Same formula, on the front cover of Volume I, we have Carol Welsman, winner of the best singer and pianist award by the Canadian Jazz Association, JUNO and so many other groups. On the back cover, we have Amy Banker, a world class singer who performed worldwide and before heads of states, including President Bill Clinton. You can say the same thing for the cover of Volume II. There we had, Marlene Verplanck, America's first lady of American Standards and classical jazz, Erika Luckett who was chosen twice as best international singer by numerous organizations, including the World Art Celebrities Journal, and finally we had Randa Ghossoub, a rising star of contemporary jazz. We got everything here, la crème de la crème."


WHO IS GOING TO APPEAR ON THE COVER OF VOLUME IV?


That is the QUESTION! Lexter said: "We are still debating. Maybe this time, we will choose the opposite sex!! I don't know. Everything depends on the decision of Mr. Maximillien de Lafayette, the author and our editorial board." Poitiers added: " appearing on any cover is a big deal. It is in fact a statement, a recognition we give to artists who excelled in their fields and made their mark. Yes, we have a list of contenders and favorites, but again, we have to wait and see...I love to see Maureen McGovern, Placido Domingo, Petula Clark and Julio Iglesias on the cover of Volume IV...Oops, this is a premature wish!"

Legendary Maureen McGovern, a favorite candidate for the cover of Volume IV of the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment. However, Ms. McGovern is not the only candidate. Petula Clark, Julio Iglesia, Placido Domingo are highly considered.

Insiders told the International News Agency, Volume III is a hot tome, because it rates singers, performers and musicians. Cynical minds and unsatisfied cabaret singers claim that the chapter on "Legitimate Cabaret Singers in the United States" is insulting, because the author for incomprehensible reasons decided on his own "who is and who is not a legitimate cabaret entertainer."

The great Jill Corey graced the cover of Volume III of the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment. Ms. Corey is making a spectacular comeback. De Lafayette called her "The Ultimate Diva!" The New York Times wrote: "A performer of unusual depth and insight . . . Jill Corey has made one of the most spectacular comebacks in cabaret . . . Corey's return is more than welcome, it's downright exciting."

Maximillien de Lafayette is not bothered at all with the complaints he received. Why should he? This is his 11th book on showbiz and he is doing just fine. In addition, he is currently working on the first "Universal Encyclopedia of Jazz, Music and the Performing Arts." However, we must admit, Lafayette is known for discovering talents and offering artists a wide and international exposure, regardless of their status and level of fame and fortune. The World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment is a fascinating compendium and an outstanding achievement.

About the Author: International best-selling author, and world leading authority on Cabaret and performing arts, Maximillien de Lafayette wrote 105 books, 3 encyclopedias, 2 world premiere musicals (one play was produced at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., USA) and 10 volumes on divas, cabaret, jazz and entertainment. Fluent in 7 languages, playwright, director-producer, syndicated columnist and entertainment critic who has visited 46 countries, de Lafayette is in a privileged position to bring to us the known and hidden world of stars, divas, femmes fatales and ultimate musicians. His columns, articles and books are read by more than 20 million readers around the globe. His latest international best-seller is "Entertainment: Divas, Cabaret, Jazz Then and Now". It hits the top chart, the world 25 most popular items on the international market of Amazon. Uk.com on November 17, 2006. He currently lives in Paris and London.

7 INTERNATIONAL DIVAS GRACE THE COVERS OF “ SHOWBIZ, PIONEERS, BEST SINGERS, MUSICIANS AND ENTERTAINERS FROM 1606 TO THE PRESENT”: VOLUME IV OF THE WORLD WHO'S WHO IN JAZZ, CABARET, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT



On April 24, 2007, the Federation of American Musicians, Singers and Performing Artists, Incorporated (FAMSPA), Times Square Press and the editorial board of the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment, jointly announced in New York City the names of the seven divas who will grace the covers of volume IV of the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment.


Peggy Judy is on the front cover; Antoinette Montague, Maria Gentile, Zola, Katie Bull, Stephanie Jordan, Irene Soderberg and Nichaud Fitzgibbon on the back cover. Carol Lexter associate editor at the World Who's Who said: "These 7 ladies were chosen out of 125 names submitted to the editorial board. It was a tough call. We had to select unique talents with distinctive style and a great personality. They fit the bill...yes, they are extremely talented, highly respected in the music industry and hey! they look great!" Senior editor, Germaine Poitiers said: "The choice was perfect, because each one of them brings to the table a different genre and a unique talent. They create an oasis of multi-varied music ranging from Blues and Jazz to cabaret and world music...not to forget their different ethnic background...we have here artists from the United States, South Africa, Australia and New Orleans, if you cant count New Orleans as a separate magical country." The legendary PEGGY JUDY graces the front cover. A large section in the Who’s Who was devoted to her astonishing accomplishments as a writer, cartoonist, singer, producer, singer and diva extraordinaire.


A MASSIVE AND MOST IMPRESSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENT


The title of Volume IV is "Showbiz, Pioneers, Singers, Musicians and Entertainers from 1606 to the Present." The volume contains 800 photos, 6,000 names and entries from the very first day of the history of entertainment, cabaret, spirituals, gospel, blues, rock, pop and jazz to the present. It is the most comprehensive, authoritative and informative book ever published about the universe of showbiz, entertainment, singers, divas and musicians. Designed and written by Maximillien de Lafayette who has to his credits 105 books, 3 encyclopedias, 2 world premiere musicals (One of his play was produced at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC) and 3 international bestsellers.


FROM THE BIGGEST STARS TO NEWEST TALENTS


Carol Lexter said: "This is the most important volume of the series. It goes back to the early days of showbiz and music and continues to include the latest event on Broadway and list of the hottest and recently discovered talents around the world. We started with music and pioneers from 1606 and included the latest charts and billboard news. Also we classified artists in categories and artists' $ market value in virtue of poll and surveys we conducted in 135 countries. Yes, expect to see, learn and read about the world greatest stars, as well as new faces who are going to make their mark on the world of music." The book is completed, almost published and shall be available to the public early May 2007.

THE 7 GRACES


MARIA GENTILE (AEA SAG ASCAP AFTRA) is a singer, songwriter, actress, and comedienne who spent 6 years in the hit Off-Broadway show Tony & Tina's Wedding as Bridesmaid Marina Gallino. One of the tracks of her album, "I'd Rather Never Know" was nominated for 2005 MAC Song of the Year, and another, "Kindness Makes Me Cry", was named 2004 MAC song of the year! Another composition, "If I Was a Boy" (co-written with Caren Cole), was nominated for 2003 MAC song of the year. De Lafayette described her one of the most sparkling stars in the business.


NICHAUD FITZGIBBON is Australia's first lady of jazz and she is known for her graceful and elegant style. The Who’s Who placed her in a place of honor in the Chapter “The Best Singers in The Business”.



ANTOINETTE MONTAGUE who has just released her magnificent CD “Pretty Blues” is capturing the attention of world media. Lexter said, Antoinette was chosen because her unusual creative Blues singing. Lafayette called her” The new leader of contempo Blues…watch out, she is powerful and she will still your heart!”

ZOLA is another sparkling star gloriously written up in the book. The author called her “a national treasure.”

KATIE BULL, a songwriter and singer extraordinaire in New York occupied several sections in the book. Editors of the Who’s Who wrote: “Bull is one of the most talented and intelligent artists in the business. Her creativity at so many levels is overwhelming.”


IRENE SODERBERG shines in the book. The author said: “Irene is larger than life on and off state.”

The classy STEPHANIE JORDAN was highly admired in the Who’s Who. She has been already written up in the 2 previous volumes. But the author decided to include her in Volume IV because as he said: “This magnificent artist adds so much beauty, warmth and class to Jazz.”
Website: www.federationofamericanmusicianssingersandperformingartists.org and www.worldwhoswhoinjazzcabaretmusicandentertainment.com
Contact: Issa Gideon, newyorkgate1@aol.com