Goodbye Sybil, Hello Vaudeville, Happy Holidays and Last Chance to Save
“The Singing Kid” is actually one of my favorite Jolson movies for a number of reasons. It has a great cast, obviously Jolson, Sybil Jason, Cab Calloway, Edward Everett Horton, Allen Jenkins and Wini Shaw. The movie was really tailored differently than a lot of the other Jolson movies because it really showcased a number of songs that Jolson had already made famous including, “Swanee”, “Rock-A-Bye”, “
Well folks, its time to wind down yet another journey down memory lane as we conclude our six-part interview with Sybil Jason. Sybil’s great book, “My Fifteen Minutes” includes a must read chapter devoted to her life-long friend, the legendary Al Jolson. Sybil has shared with us some great stories and insights from her book about Jolie, Ruby, Erle, Durante, Cab, Bogart, International Al Jolson Society and the Golden Era of Hollywood.
Vaudeville is alive and well on the Jolson and Friends Blog
Yowza, yowza, yowza, we are starting out 2007 with a new six-part interview on Vaudeville with Trav S.D. who recently published a fascinating and entertaining book entitled “No Applause, Just Throw Money.” This insightful book provides a provocative look at the birth of show business. Trav and I will discuss the musical, comedic, and magical talents of Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Bert Williams, Sophie Tucker, Fanny Brice, Harry Houdini, Judy Gumm Sister Garland, Mae West, Bob Hope, Buster Keaton, Milton Berle and many, more, more, more.
Free Sybil Jason Part VI Interview Podcast
After collecting audio assets for four Jolson related interviews, I have launched the First Jolson Podcast and you can listen to the conclusion of my interview with Sybil Jason.
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Jolson and Friends Blog Podcast: Sybil Jason Interview Part VI
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The Magic of Jolson
What is it about Jolson that continues to enchant us 56 years after his death? It seems that there certainly is a diminishing, but blessed small community of people who actually can claim they actually saw Jolson perform live.
Over the years I have watched a number of talented professionals perform Jolson songs and some of them are quite talented and are unfortunately categorized as “Impersonators”.
Personally, I find the term “Impersonators” more offensive than most four letter words. It was a word that was usually associated with certain types of stand-up comedians who would do impressions of famous actors, politicians or celebrities It was an art form that seemed to have died (e.g., Frank Goshen, case in point). In music, there are tribute bands in all forms of
For these performers, it is more than a paycheck (and for many not such a lucrative a career). Unfortunately, I am in the majority of people who were born after October, 1950 and did not have an opportunity to see Jolie perform. For many of us, we were inspired by an old Jolson recording or watch one of his classic movies (including “The Jolson Story”) even as a young child.
For me, when hearing a live performance of a Jolson song or two, my mind yearns for just a few transcendent moments in time where the a shiver runs down my spine and imagine myself at the Winter Garden Theater experiencing the kinetic and electrifying magic that only Jolie could deliver. Therefore when listening to Clive Baldwin, Tony Bambino or Richard Halpern we should never judge them as Jolson-like impersonators, but as talented performers who can help transcend us (even for that special magical moment). And for that, we should simply be grateful.
From the Jolson and Friends Blog, I wish all of you a great holiday season and happy, healthy New Year.
Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute: Please share your comments with me on this topic at:
Jolson and Friends Blog Special Feature: Richard Halpern’s Video Play List
For those of you, who have not had the opportunity to see Richard Halpern’s recent August 24th, 2006
Copyright © 2006 Brian Marcus Decker
Jolson and Friends Blog conclude our series of special musical of Richard Halpern’s performance of 1930 classic, "Body & Soul" with Richard Danley at the piano. (Lyrics: Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, Frank Eyton; Music: John Green)
Click here to view video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=INNfwKYMeFQ&mode=related&search=
The Holiday
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Conclusion of Sybil Jason Interview: Part VI
Brian Marcus Decker: Now you’ve had a long ongoing association with the International Al Jolson Society. What were some of the most memorable experiences you’ve had with this society?
Sybil Jason: Well all of the guest appearances that I’ve done for the Al Jolson Society have been way up there Brian. The appreciation of the fans is truly wondrous and of course this seems that anyone that was fortunate enough to work with Jolie is just a pleasure in your eyes. There are just a few of us still alive to claim that prize; Davey Lee, Beverley Roberts, Carol Bruce, who was on Jolie’s weekly radio show, and myself.
Brian Marcus Decker: What were the origins of the Sybil Jason Fan Club and for people who are viewing this blog, how do they get information about becoming a member?
Sybil Jason: Well this is kind of funny in itself. Many years ago I was attending a show business event and a gentleman approached me and asked me if I would mind if he started a fan club for me. Well I didn’t want to be employed but I wondered who the heck would join, because I had voluntarily retired from acting years before. He insisted there were people that still remembered me very well so I gratefully, but hesitantly, gave him the go-ahead. I’m still rather stunned that the membership quickly went international and we are now in our 22nd year. Now to join the club, just write to the:
International Sybil Jason Fan Club
President Gary L. Heckman
Or just email
Brian Marcus Decker: Can you tell us about the upcoming Sybil Jason tribute events with the American Cinematheque?
Sybil Jason: I’m really excited about this. I think the last person they did was either George Clooney or Robert de Niro. September 19th the American Cinematheque is doing a tribute to me at the famous Egyptian Theater on
Brian Marcus Decker: Oh it sounds like it’s going to be a very, very exciting evening.
Sybil Jason: I wish you could be there.
Brian Marcus Decker: Well, if it turns out I am on the west coast I would be thrilled and it would be my honor to be there.
Sybil Jason: Great.
Brian Marcus Decker: Sybil, “My Fifteen Minutes” continues to receive really great reviews, very, very well deserved ones at that. There seems to be some interest in doing a second book from what you’ve told me. Can you talk a little bit about what the working title is, and exactly what are some of the additional material that you may be covering in the book?
Sybil Jason: Right, well my publisher and I… I’m pretty lucky because both my publisher and I have been receiving requests for a second book and I know that over a long while that I’ve decided to call it, “Five Minutes More”. It would be a kind of extension of my first book, “My Fifteen Minutes”. Now I can’t give you a list of the stars that I would be writing about because the list itself is still a work-in-progress but rest assured Brian they will all be interesting people.
Brian Marcus Decker: I’m sure they will. Sybil, how can people purchase “My Fifteen Minutes”?
Sybil Jason: Well I guess the best way to get my book is from my publisher. Just write to them and request my book, “My Fifteen Minutes” at:
BearManor Media
Albany , GA
31708
Or just email him at books@benohmart.com. And if you want the book autographed by me it will cost a wee bit more. Just send a cashiers check or money order of $30.00, which includes everything, the book, the postage, to:
Sybil Jason
And just be sure to add the name you want it autographed to and the address, and I’ll be so happy to oblige.
Brian Marcus Decker: Well on behalf of the Jolson and Friends blog I’d like to once again personally thank you, my very, very special guest star Sybil Jason and her ongoing contribution to keeping the memory of Al Jolson alive, even 56 years after his death.
This is Brian Marcus Decker and thank you for joining us on the Jolson and Friends blog. This is the first and most important blog dedicated to the life and musical influences of the legendary Al Jolson, The World’s Greatest Entertainer, as well as his friends. And please visit us again http://www.jolsonblog.com.
This is Brian Marcus Decker and thank you for joining us on the Jolson and Friends blog. This is the first and most important blog dedicated to the life and musical influences of the legendary Al Jolson, The World’s Greatest Entertainer, as well as his friends. And please visit us again http://www.jolsonblog.com.
Changes to Jolson and Friends Blog
In the upcoming months I am looking to continue to evolve the Jolson and Friends Blog and wanted preview some upcoming changes. As of this post, I am promoting the sale of Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor and fifteen new Limited Edition T-shirt designs (featured above) and matching gift cards (with free shipping). The sales from these items will help offset the cost of maintaining this blog.
Due to the time intensive nature of ongoing research, content development, production and maintaining and the Blog, I will am publishing twice a month instead of weekly. The next blog update will happen on January 2, 2007.
I am starting to work on several future Jolson and Friends projects including:
· The start of a new series on vaudeville and something very special from my Jolson archives.
· Expanded global coverage of local events.
· Future podcasts of upcoming interviews and special performance-based content. Jolson and Friends Recommended Reading and Viewer Lists including cost-saving shopping links to find out-of-print books, videos and more.
To ensure that you are automatically informed about new postings, please enter your email address at the sidebar on the left of this blog page or send an email to my attention, with the subject line “Subscribe”, to: brian@JolsonBlog.com.
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My Fifteen Minutes: An Autobiography of a Child Star of the Golden Era of
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