Entertainment Divas

BOOKS DESCRIPTION:

Entertainment Divas, Cabaret, Jazz Then And Now (724 pages)

Book Description:

Paperback. On the cover, Ms. Marlene Verplanck.
ISBN: 0595408575
Pub. Date: September 2006

The first book of its kind, highly anticipated by stars, professionals and the public, it provides a wealth of information and tips not readily available elsewhere. In addition to the interviews with the stars and the divas, and the fascinating history from the 17th century to this day. It contains resources not found anywhere else, and CD reviews. You will be intrigued by stories, gossip, secrets, and close-up profiles of the most beautiful and exciting chanteuses and femmes fatales. It is the book of the risqué, the mystique and the hidden world of Cabaret, Jazz and Divas, a chronicle of the life, history and tales of legends, stars, singers, composers, entertainers, gigolos, acts, Broadway, Vaudeville, Paris, Berlin, shows, musicals, and human drama. You will meet the stars, but you will also discover magnificent and brilliantly talented artists you have never heard about-but should! The book is written by an international authority, who has first hand knowledge of this mysterious world. He met personally most of the people he is writing about and interviewed them in depth. He is the author of numerous books, an art and entertainment historian\critic and a syndicated columnist. In addition, he had written and directed musical scores, world premiere musicals and plays, performed at prestigious theatres including The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington DC.

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Review-Article in Cabaret Ville Magazine http://www.cabaretville.com/cabaret_ville_magazine8.htm or o n this page

Review-Article in the Globe Weekly News: http://globeweeklynews.com/books_reviews.htm or here

Review in the New York Monthly Herald: http://newyorkmonthlyherald.com/new_york_monthly_herald4.htm or here

CABARET VILLE MAGAZINE. P347

BOOKS: ENTERTAINMENT: DIVAS, CABARET, JAZZ THEN AND NOW Arlette Lagrange, Staff writer

Marlene VerPlanck on the cover of the book. Chosen because of her status in the world of entertainment and accomplishments in showbiz. De Lafayette said: "Marlene is the diva of all divas. Period!"

Do you want to become a star? A cabaret or a Jazz Diva? It takes lots of guts, style, talent and a mighty luck. Let Maximillien de Lafayette explain to you what it takes to become a successful singer and a mega star. He wrote the book on the subject. His recently published enormous book ENTERTAINMENT DIVAS CABARET JAZZ THEN AND NOW became an international best-seller on October 17, this year. What is so special about this book? I don't know where to begin! This book has everything you might think of. Origin of American music from the 17th century to the present; world's greatest female singers of all time; the hottest cabaret and jazz chanteuses in the business, CDs reviews; tips on how to become a real cabaret/jazz star; the style of a sophisticated diva; the best and worst female singers in the United States....and yes, lots of gossips. But it is very very very serious book. It teaches you the rope. You will learn a lot from this book.

Photo: Celia Slattery got a glowing review.

There is an amazing chapter on the dos and don'ts, how to present yourself on stage, your makeup, your wardrobe, your shoes, your repertoire, your music, how to position yourself on stage, against a baby grand or your pianist? How to hold and grab the microphone, what songs you should sing and what songs to ignore. And of course, the refreshing and notorious list of the 500 best singers in the business. The book is overwhelming. It is abundant with information, resources, names, biographies, personal histories, jokes, intimate revelations, interviews. My lord, it is an ocean and I am out of breath. Jesus, let me reach the shore before I hit the bottom of the ocean.

HIDDEN UNKNOWN TALENTS BROUGHT TO LIGHT

Helene Feldman

Photo: Helene Feldman was on the list of the 500 best singers.

Besides being very authoritative and extremely informative, Entertainment Divas Cabaret Jazz Then And Now has a very special touch: "giving a public recognition and a wider exposure to talented singers who need a break. The public must become aware of their great and hidden talents. This is my job. Writing about them and introducing them to thousands and thousands of readers around the globe is a responsibility I take very seriously." explained Maximillien de Lafayette. Continues on P. 348

CABARET VILLE MAGAZINE. P348

CRITICS HAVE TENDENCY TO BE MEAN AND POMPOUS

Photo: Francine Morin got a nice write-up.

He adds: "Usually, critics have tendency to be mean and pompous. Some can put you out of business. One bad review and the premiere is yesterday news. The show dies, the performers go home. And the producers, directors and playwright go broke. Well, I am here to do just the opposite. I want to keep these wonderful artists in business. And this is what I think I have accomplished in my book." True, the author did accomplish his objectives. He wrote extensively about a great number of talented performers who are struggling in a very competitive world. The tough and shrewd world of show business.

Nancy McGraw

Photo: The fabulous Nancy McGraw is one of Lafayette's favorites.

He explained in eloquent and convincing manner why those artists deserve a wider recognition and why the public should become aware of their talent. I like the book. I read it from cover to cover. It is well-written. No bias, no favoritism and no yellow journalism. Nevertheless, De Lafayette did not refrain himself from ridiculing some big names and mocking agents of stars and chanteuses. Read it. Buy it. Learn from it. It is a treasure.

WHAT'S NEXT ON MAXIMILLIEN DE LAFAYETTE'S AGENDA?

Plenty! In addition to Entertainment Divas Cabaret Jazz Then And Now, another captivating book by de Lafayette United States and the World Face to Face is out. A powerful book with a message to the White House tough guys and foreign policy decision makers. Also in that book, De Lafayette devoted a whole chapter to the most distinguished female singers in the United States. But his big project is the encyclopedic book he is working on. Of course it is about divas, as usual, musicians, mega stars and emerging talents. The title of the book is WORLD WHO'S WHO IN JAZZ, CABARET, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT. A 3 volume, 2,100 page gigantic effort. It will be out by January or early February of 2007. And who is included in this encyclopedia? Almost anybody who has a talent regardless of a status quo. Talent is extremely important to de Lafayette. He mocks fame and fortune. He admires style, class and talent in an artist. Now, we understand why that encyclopedia contains roughly 10,000 names. But there is a catch. Unless you are invited, you will not be included in any volume of the encyclopedia. Inclusion is by invitation only. So, who is in this heavy-load book? Any clue Mr. Max? "Sure, we start with Tony Orlando, Elton John, Paul Simon and Neil Sedaka and we end up with Lena Horne, Leontyne Price, Barbara Cook, Barbra Streisand and the hottest and new names in the business. Some names are a household cliché, and many others are new to the public. Some are traditional, and some are quite controversial." added de Lafayette.

WHO IS ON THE COVER?

Photo: International star, Erika Luckett and jazz new sensation, Carol Mennie.

Photo: Canadian-Lebanese rising star, Randa Ghossoub, described by de Lafayette as "Mesmerizing singer."

I asked Mr. de Lafayette who is going to be on the cover of WORLD WHO'S WHO IN JAZZ, CABARET, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT? "Erika Luckett, Marlene VerPlanck, Carol Mennie, Randa Ghossoub, Paulette Attie, The Opera of Paris, Maestro Frank Jackson, etc..." he said.