Ray Jessel In London at the Battersea Barge
www.rayjessel.com
Ray Jessel brings his hilarious show, “Life Sucks and Then You Die,” to the Battersea Barge in September!. Don’t miss this night of laughter and romance!
Cardiff boy, Ray Jessel made his debut (at 72!) as a Cabaret performer at Hollywood's Gardenia room in April, 2002. Ray has since played to a series of sell-out performances there, at LA's famed JAZZ BAKERY, London's THEATRE MUSEUM and PIZZA ON THE PARK, Toronto's TOP O' THE SENATOR, in New York at DANNY'S SKYLIGHT ROOM and at DON'T TELL MAMA.
Ray received a four star review from 'Three Weeks' at the Edinburgh Fringe this August.
Here are a few quotes regarding “Life Sucks and Then You Die!”
“quirky, often irreverent and invariably HYSTERICALLY FUNNY, there is nothing about advancing years that could possibly stop this burgeoning cabaret ingénue from becoming a leading light on the circuit”… THE STAGE, London, May 2006.
“In the royal court of cabaret Ray Jessel is the jester. His prankish literate ditties recall the smart novelty songs of Tom Lehrer, Allan Sherman and other masters of high silliness. This old joker is aces.”….. TIME OUT, New York.
Michael Feinstein calls Ray Jessel "the millennium Noel Coward", for his songs which range from the hilarious "Shakespearean Tragedy Rag" and "Life Sucks And Then You Die" (about which Amanda McBroom, writer of Bette Midler’s smash hit, THE ROSE, said "I laughed my ear-rings off...And I have pierced ears!!") all the way to heart-wrenching ballads like "I'm All Right Now", "Moonlight" and "Whatever Happened To Melody.”
Trained in classical composition at the University of Wales, Cardiff, Ray shared composer/lyricist credit with Marian Grudeff for 'BAKER STREET", the Broadway Musical about Sherlock Holmes. He was the last lyricist to work with Richard Rodgers on Broadway, writing four of the songs in Rodger's last show "I REMEMBER MAMA."
Writing shows that close out of town (like "Hellzapoppin!") may be fun, but it is not a financially rewarding experience. That's why Ray left Broadway for Hollywood, where he changed hats from song-writer to comedy writer. Ray served as writer/producer for the hit television series "Head Of The Class" (which introduced Billy Connolly to American audiences). Ray also supplied songs for the show when needed. Ray also was a staff writer for “The Love Boat,” “The Dean Martin Show,” and “The Carol Burnett Show.”
Ray’s songs have been recorded by Louis Armstrong, Jimmy Durante, Peggy Lee, Richard Burton and Sammy Davis Jr. With his current writing partner, Cynthia Thompson, he has songs on CDs by such artists as Michael Feinstein, David Campbell, Karen Akers and John Pizzarelli.
Jessel's transition from songwriter to performer started with Michael Feinstein. "Wanna Sing A Show Tune" was the song that brought Ray and Michael Feinstein together. Michael recorded the song on his album "Live At The Algonquin". Michael also sang a number of Ray’s "silly" songs in his act, but he said at the time, "Ray, you really should be out there performing these songs yourself." Luckily most people who’ve seen Ray sing his hilarious original songs agree with Michael.
So come and see for yourself. Just remember: “Life Sucks and Then You Die.”
Buy Ray's CD online at: http://www.lmlmusic.com/cds.php?id=38
Email us at: ray@rayjessel.com
Visit us at: http://www.lmlmusic.com/cds.php?id=38 to buy Ray's CD |
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September 3, 2006. 7:00 PM.
Battrsea Barge -
www.batterseabarge.com has map
Location: Nine Elms Lane, SW8 5BP, behind the Fed Ex Building
Nearest Tube - Vauxhall, exit 6 |
