New York Sheet Music Society

Here are some of those who helped us remember those great lyrics in Willian Zinsser's "Easy to Remember" The performers were: Host John Meyer and author William Zinsser. Featured guests: Stephanie Pope and Jane Scheckter Also, Sydney Leff, who designed such wonderful sheet music, and his daughter. Montage by Sam Teicher John Meyer hosts the January Meeting - William Zinsser, with his wonderful book: "Easy to Remember" What a wonderful surprise! Not that the program was sensational - with Johnny Meyer in charge, we knew it would be wonderful - but in addition to the singing and writing talents of William Zinsser, he introduced Sydney Leff, who designed much of the sheet music that is "easy to remember." It was such a treat to hear him talk about those days when sheet music was THE way of the songs of our lives were presented to the world. Leff’s covers were simply stunning. "I knew where to put the moon and the stars...and made sure the ladies’ gowns were very up-to-date." (He read all the then current store ads to make sure, with the help of his wife who was also an artist.) We mustn’t forget to thank the ladies who sang. Stephanie Pope showed what good (no: great!) Pipes can do to an "Ill Wind," and ooohhh, "Them There Eyes." And Jane Scheckter was very present with her "Long Ago and Far Away. It was interesting that if pushed to name his favorite lyricist, Zinsser chose Johnny Mercer. A great choice, as Mercer could, and did, write with almost everyone from the Twentieth Century sophistication of Ellington and Arlen to the earthiness of Hoagy to the eternal charm of Kern. And in-between. To prove his point, Zinsser then sang (with grace and style) what many consider to be Mercer’s best lyric: "This Time the Dream’s on Me." What a wonderful afternoon this was. It, too, is easy to remember as something special.
Who's who at the January Meeting *William Zinsser -* is author of 16 books, including On Writing Well, now in its sixth edition and Mitchell & Ruff, about jazz musicians Dwike Mitchell and Willie Ruff. He began his career on the New York Herald Tribune, and writes regularly for leading magazines. During the 1970's he taught writing at Yale, where he was Master of Branford College. He now teaches at New York's New School. He and his wife Caroline live in NYC.
	John Meyer writes books, music and lyrics. His songs have been sung by Judy Garland, Lily Tomlin, Margaret Whiting, and Shirley Bassey to name but four. He is preparing a mystyery musical, "The Betrayal of Nora Blake," for off-Broadway in April. Eartha Kitt is singing his "Voice Full of Yes" in the soon-to-be-released film, "Standard Time," and his memoir of time spent with Garland, "Heartbreaker," will be reprinted next fall. He is also writing a musical revue, "Don't Rattle My Cage," for The Times Square Group, a new theater company.
Stephanie Pope has released a new CD on Jerome Records: "Now's the Time to Fall in Love." She starred on Broadway in Fosse, and appeared as Velma in the national company of Chicago. Other Broadway credits include Forum, with Nathan Lane, Kiss of the Spider Woman (standby for Chita Rivera) and Jelly's Last Jam (with Gregory Hines.) In London, she starred as Brenda in the original West End company of Smokey Joe's Cafe. On TV, Stephanie has appeared on Oz and One Life to Live. She was nominated for a MAC Award as Best Newcomer, and received a Drama-Logue Award, a Monarch Award, and a Black Achievers in Industry In Style Award from the YMCA in Harlem.
Jane Scheckter, who won the 1996 Bistro Award for Outstanding Vocalist, was recently in the hit show, "Our Sinatra," last May. Jane has 2 albums, I've Got My Standards (DRG) and Double Standards (Doxie), both recorded with Mike Renzi, Jay Leonhart, and Grady Tate. DownBeat Magazine praised her "Ella-styled artistry." She has performed at the Firebird Cafe, 88's, Danny's, Lyrics & Lyricists at the 92nd Street Y, and the Ballroom in NYC, as well as the Gardenia in Los Angeles, and jazz clubs in Paris and Cannes. She was a guest soloist with the Springfield Massachusetts Pops Symphony, and gave a solo jazz concern in Paris in 1993. Off-Broadway, she was seen in Barry Manilow's long-running hit, "The Drunkard," and "The Proposition," with Jane Curtin and Fred Grandy. She sang with a 44 piece orchestra at the world premiere of "Fairy Tale," a musical by Hershy Felder and Stu Silver. Her TV credits include roles on the soap operas, "Capitol" and "All My Children," as well as the syndicated radio show, "New York Cabaret Nights."