Review in Art and Style Magazine

EDITORIAL by Erica Soderholm, Editor-in-Chief

THE EXPLODING WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT AND DIVAS IN MAXIMILLIEN DE LAFAYETTE'S NEW BOOK: SHOWBIZ, PIONEERS, BEST SINGERS, MUSICIANS AND ENTERTAINERS FROM 1606 TO THE PRESENT

Showbiz primadona Peggy Judy on the cover of the book. This sensational photo is by Peter Zakhary. He did a magnificent job! WOW!!

Steer your Martini, get comfy and prepare yourself to enter the magical world of showbiz, divas, music and femmes fatales. This is your VIP invitation to to the dimension of the risqué, panache and "C'est Si Bon!" It is going to be fun, fun, fun...Time Life's TV commercials for their music collections and CDs have a gimmick slogan "Where are you going to find all these oldies? Don't every try music stores. We have remastered all the greatest hits...and if you are not satisfied for any reason, return the CDS, no question asked!" BOOM! You could say the same thing about the series World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment. Particularly the fourth volume Showbiz, Pioneers, Best Singers, Musicians and Entertainers from 1606 to the Present, recently published by FAMSPA, the national voice of Showbiz and Entertainment in America.

IT GOT TO SMELL GOOD WITH ALL THESE DIVAS ON THE COVERS!

First thing first. The cover of Volume I was classy; Canadian diva Carol Welsman reigned over it. The cover of Volume II looked like Paris Match front cover; it had three stars, Marlene Verplanck, Erika Luckett, and Randa Ghossoub. Volume III covers assembled four household names, England first lady of cabaret, Barb Jungr, the legendary Jill Corey, who appeared on the cover of Life Magazine as well, Sarah James and the queen of showbiz comic follies, Peggy Judy who also occupied the cover of volume IV, all by herself! Now, we have volume IV to deal with. And as usual -but of course- only the best and the very unique monopolize the cover, front and back. Peggy Judy, Miss panache and extravaganza crowns the front cover. Maria Gentile, Zola, Irene Soderberg, Katie Bull, Stephanie Jordan and Antoinette Montague occupy the back cover. And somewhere, on a corner, the author Mr. Maximillien de Lafayette's picture rests in peace. Not really! The book is lovely, colorful, and engaging. Some chapters are academic and deal with traditional subjects, biographies, data, listings and charts, while others transport you to an enchanting world of fantasy, glamour and mystical scents. The scents and beautiful aroma of the creative talents of divas and icons. The eight divas on the covers was a good choice. They convey the varied messages and portray the multiple definitions of Jazz, cabaret, Soul and beyond. A most unique poster can be made with their lovely appearances and convergent poses.

From L to R: Rebecca Spencer who is taking Las Vegas by storm and singer Teri Roiger grace the cover of volume III of the World Who's Who.

Maximillien de Lafayette new ambitious and impressive project has materialized; a massive encyclopedic set of 4 volumes on divas, jazz, cabaret and the world of entertainment: World Who's Who In Jazz, Music, Cabaret And Entertainment. This is a major undertaking and astonishing accomplishment at the highest level. It encompasses every known aspect, facet and genre of the performing arts and the world of entertainment. The four volumes include 30,000 entries, thousands of biographies, reviews, analyses of the music industry sales, charts and hits, including the career highlights of mega stars and recently discovered talents and rising stars. In November 2006, de Lafayette's "Entertainment Divas Cabaret Jazz Then And Now" became an international best-seller. It seems that divas are a hot topic, nowadays. And the author is cashing big time on it. Why not? We are fond of divas and femmes fatales, especially, when they are brought to life under a new light; the unknown persona of the Diva and the hidden mystique of la femme fatale. And de Lafayette did just that.

EDITORIAL. Cont'd. by Erica Soderholm

He knows extremely well the "sacred, the damned and the risqué" flair and caché of those glittering stars. He has been writing about them for twenty years. I thought one volume will suffice. But after I have read two volumes of the set, I realized that two more volumes would shed more light on the subject, especially when 200 additional chapters and 800 photos are added to volume three and volume four. This is an amazing work. Intense, comprehensive and entertaining. Almost everything you need to know about cabaret, jazz, life entertainment and the business of music is explained at length and in-depth.

From L to R: Sarah James, Peggy Judy and the legendary Jill Corey also appear on the cover of volume III of the World Who's Who.

There is no doubt World Who's Who In Jazz, Music, Cabaret And Entertainment is an international best seller material. This is the world first Who’s Who that deals with the world of entertainment, Jazz, cabaret, music, mega stars and new talents as well. It is an essential reference for all those who are involved in music and showbiz, music industry executives, performers, promoters, publicists, booking agents, and venues' owners. Because of the in-depth articles, extensive and rich profiles entries of the stars, music lovers, music students, schools, libraries, and the general public will refer to it as an indispensable reference tool and a major guide in the field.

From L to R: Katie Bull, Zola, Irene Soderberg, Antoinette Montague. All of them appeared on the back cover of Volume IV.

The back cover of volume one included this statement from the editors: "Those who read who’s who books, whether they are in science, medicine, literature, and world personalities and celebrities, easily find one common denominator: Who’s who books are dry and stiff. Rarely do we see warmth and personal touch in those highly respected reference works. Effort was made to avoid this tendency in the World Who’s Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment. Although it is based upon rigid fact and data, found in or supplied by reliable sources, including those who are written up in this book, personal feelings and unexpected material were added.

Jazz Diva, Stephanie Jordan as she appeared on the back cover of Volume IV.

To accomplish this, the world of the artist that is not usually seen on stage or behind the mic. was probed. Sometimes candid and personal stories, anecdotes, and intimate statements were either provided directly by the artist or told by friends and peers. After all, this is a world of enchantment, glamour, and fun – and so it cannot be treated like a mathematical formula! In traditional who’s who books, those listed are usually figures well known to the public or in their own field."

In this Who’s Who you will meet, on equal basis, mega stars and celebrities, as well as outstanding talented artists you have never heard of. This book is not based on fame and fortune alone, but also on merit. This book brings to you those who are believed to be the best in the business." Highly recommend. Get your copy right away.

MORE REVIEWS AND ARTICLES FOR: 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)

Read the review in Allaboutjazz.com: A MASTERPIECE. FUN, UNUSUAL AND AUTHORITATIVE NEW PUBLICATION

Read the review in Allaboutjazz.com : AN ODYSSEY OF JAZZ, CABARET, SHOWBIZ EXTRAVAGANZA, MYSTERY, STARS BIOGRAPHIES, AND GLAMOROUS STARS ON A COSMIC LEVEL

Read the review in CabaretVille Magazine: One of the 10 best books of the year

Read the review in the European Journal: EXPLOSIVE

Read the article in Allaboutjazz.com: A MASSIVE AND MOST IMPRESSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENT

Read the article in the International Herald Daily News: DIVAS! DIVAS! DIVAS! WHAT'S ELSE

Read the article in the Globe Weekly News: This volume is one of the best entertainment and showbiz books ever published

Read the article in the International News Agency: Cherchez La Femme

Read the article in the World Jewish News Agency: It is fascinating. You will enjoy it for years to come. Rating: 5 stars all the way

Read the review in Art and Style Magazine: "Highly recommend. Get your copy right away"