American Songbook Association Inc.

01/06/2025

A New Year’s greeting from the Executive Director of the American Songbook Association, Carolyn Montgomery:

The ASA and Cabaret Scenes Magazine kicked off 2025 by exceeding our Music Opens Doors Campaign fundraising goal by four times the initial target amount - ending 2024 on a joyous and aspirational note. The hard-working ASA board, editorial staff and excellent Education Department all deserve major thanks and recognition.

This has been a year of change and growth as we focus on our mission, board development and fundraising efforts to broaden our subscriber base and raise awareness about the dire need for music education in p***c schools.

I have learned so much about non profit organization and administration, and am grateful to my mentors and supporters as I endeavor to create an org that enriches the lives of people in underserved communities who NEED MUSIC.

We will continue our Music Opens Doors Campaign through 2025 and ask that, should you know people who care deeply about preserving American musical legacies for future generations, as well as improving the quality of public education, you send them to our website- or directly to me!

I am so deeply proud of the ASA and where we are going, and grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students, Pre-k through 12th grade, elderly music lovers in memory care units, and classic American music enthusiasts across the country. Thank you.

❤️asa -

12/20/2024

The American Songbook Association’s Education Department made a trip out to Long Island to the Henry Viscardi School to complete our 12-week musical theater unit, that culminated in a Sound Story. We told a story (Jack and the Beanstalk) where students played instruments that corresponded with each character. Fun, hilarity and LEARNING ensued, as the students listened, participated and brought the story to life with sound.

Executive Director, Carolyn Montgomery, is SO grateful to her energetic and talented team of teachers, Eric Yves Garcia, Patti Bottino-Bravo and Ann Talman (not with us today, but a major force for the Viscardi programming) as well as Elena Carnevali, music teacher at Viscardi.

All of us at the ASA wish you and yours the happiest of holidays and healthiest of New Years. Please join us in our efforts to enrich the learning experiences of American public school students, with music.

❤️asa #

12/19/2024

Such a tragic loss for the music community. Our love and support goes out to his beloved wife, family and close friends.

12/17/2024

Joining Cabaret Scenes Magazine in expressing our deep sadness at the passing of this fine man.

We at Cabaret Scenes and the American Songbook Association Inc.n are saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Danny Bacher. He was a true joy to experience, whether on stage or off. He joy of performing was contagious, evidenced by the beaming faces of his audiences. Whether playing his tenor sax with such ease and expertise, or cracking wise, he was a true showman. We send heartfelt condolences to his wife and family, wishing them peace at this time and hoping that the joy he brought to all those he came in contact with will give them some comfort knowing that he left a mark on this world. Rest in peace, dear man. Your shining light will be missed.

12/17/2024

We at Cabaret Scenes and the American Songbook Association Inc.n are saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Danny Bacher. He was a true joy to experience, whether on stage or off. He joy of performing was contagious, evidenced by the beaming faces of his audiences. Whether playing his tenor sax with such ease and expertise, or cracking wise, he was a true showman. We send heartfelt condolences to his wife and family, wishing them peace at this time and hoping that the joy he brought to all those he came in contact with will give them some comfort knowing that he left a mark on this world. Rest in peace, dear man. Your shining light will be missed.

12/11/2024

Who shows up on a chilly December morning at 8:00 AM to teach elementary school students about Jazz, Musical Theatre and Classic American song at a public school in Harlem? Why, brilliant members of the American Songbook Association’s Education Department, of course! Yasuhiko “Yaz” Fukuoka, Anna Anderson, Hannah Jane Peterson and I trekked bright and early to PS 76 for two sessions: 3k-2nd Grade and 3rd-5th Grade.

The students were riveted to the songs and stories they heard from each genre, and we invited them to move, comment, contribute and participate in a way that made the music come alive for them. The teachers and staff could not have been more enthusiastic. The ASA has chosen this dynamic little school, which has no music programming, in which to install a 12-week- residency of master teachers for their eager students.

I cannot thank Yaz, Anna and Hannah Jane enough for showing up SO early and being so beautifully present and powerful. These students lives were changed for the better…for good.

Music Opens Doors and the ASA seeks to improve public school education for ALL children.

❤️asa

12/07/2024

11/04/2024

The American Songbook Association continues its ongoing partnership with the Henry Viscardi School, sending the very best master teachers from our Education Department , and .bravo to teach all about jazz! This 12 week program is funded by our Music Opens Doors Campaign, providing vital American music to students in all five boroughs of New York City and beyond.

We are so proud of the work we do and EVERYONE has fun. Music is for everyone. Please help us keep it playing.

❤️asa pl

10/23/2024

The board and staff at the American Songbook Association and Cabaret Scenes Magazine join the theater and cabaret communities in mourning the passing of Sandi Durell. Sandi was a loved and respected writer, publisher, editor, producer, performer and champion of talented singers and actors.

We will feature a comprehensive article in our magazine about Sandi’s long career and significant contributions to the arts community. For now, we grieve with so many who loved and admired her, and we send our deepest condolences to her family and close friends.

10/17/2024

WHAT can be better than starting the morning with the 2nd and 4th Graders at the Henry Viscardi School, teaching them about Jazz: Dixieland and Ragtime, Big Band and Swing, and a whole section on s**t?!

The American Songbook Association is introducing these wonderful students to the BEST American music has to offer: including Gunhild Carling rocking with a band to Chattanooga Choo Choo,the Count Basie Orchestra shaking the Palm Trees with Gremlins, and Mel Time and Ella showing them how s**t is DONE.

If you could witness the positive and beneficial effects that new music makes in the minds, hearts and bodies of these students, you’d want to be a part of it. MUSIC MAKES A DIFFERENCE. Help us bring it to students of all ages and abilities, everywhere. Check out our website in bio and donate to the Music Opens Doors campaign.

❤️asa

10/09/2024

This morning, the American Songbook Association launched its hybrid Virtual and In-Person, 12-week teaching sessions with 2nd and 4th Graders at the Henry Viscardi School.

The teaching team of Carolyn Montgomery, Patti Bottino-Bravo, Ann Talman and Elena Carnevali (to be joined by Eric Yves Garcia when we teach in person classes each month) worked very hard to create a curriculum that engages students of all abilities. Patti’s choice boards (a few pictured here) provided non-verbal students a chance to join in on improvisation suggestions, and Ann’s carefully selected clip of “Now You Has Jazz” had the students bopping to Bing and Satchmo.

We could not be more proud and excited about the work our Education Department is doing to promote classic American musical legacies throughout the NYC public school system.

Our ongoing fundraiser, “Music Opens Doors” is waiting for YOUR contribution to keeping the music playing. Just go to our website and read all about it.

We’ll be with Henry Viscardi students every Wednesday through the end of the year and our in person visits to public schools in all 5 boroughs start next week.

❤️asa

09/22/2024

Launched this week!: the Music Open Doors Campaign to bring Jazz, musical theater and classic American song into public school classrooms that NEED arts education.

❤️asa

09/22/2024

Join Carolyn Montgomery, your host and Executive Director of the American Songbook Association, as she interviews Actor, Singer, Songwriter and Activist D.C. Anderson just prior to the release of his latest and 16th recording, called "Believe, Breathe, and Sing" co-written with Ritt Henn.

09/22/2024

What a fabulous way to kick off this First Day of Fall Sunday! In one hour, (12:00 Eastern) you can click on the American Songbook Association’s page or Cabaret Scenes YouTube channel and catch D.C. Anderson talking about his life and passions and new album- AND there will be a live visit from amazing bass player Ritt Henn, D.C.’s collaborator and friend. You’ll hear stories and laugh, listen and watch fun video clips as we cover the extraordinary career of an extraordinary man. From Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, to the Cabaret and Folk stages, to this 16th recording- DC has a lot to talk about.

Grab your favorite cuppa and JOIN US. It’s free and it’s a truly pleasant way to spend an hour. See you soon!

❤️asa

09/21/2024

Tomorrow (Sunday 9/22) at noon, a new Sunday Sessions interview with none other than Broadway Actor, singer, songwriter and recording artist DC Anderson!

DC and long time collaborator Ritt Henn (who may make an appearance during the show!) are releasing a new recording (DC’s 16th) and we will be discussing his process in myriad musical genres.

Just click on the Cabaret Scenes YouTube link or on the American Songbook Association’s page. It’s free, fun and always informative. Join us for an hour!
# ❤️asa . .henn

06/14/2024

The board and staff at American Songbook Association and Cabaret Scenes Magazine work long and hard to create events featuring an award that REALLY sync with the unique personality of our honoree.

The 2024 Darrell Henline Award evening, celebrating performer, director, producer and master teacher Lina Koutrakos, was as unique, warm, loving and brilliant as she is. Further, the overwhelming vibe emanating from the audience, the talent- even the staff at the Green Room 42- was one of love, fellowship and an abundance of respect.

The ASA and Cabaret Scenes Magazine are so grateful to Lina, everyone who supported her in the room or on the livestream and the generous people who took out ads for the program and the magazine. All of you made the evening expand far beyond typical standards of “success” and travel into a realm of “once in a lifetime.”

As Lina so aptly articulated, “I’ve come to that part of my lifetime where I reevaluate ‘fortune,’ take a long look at what I have, and, like George Bailey, I realize I am very, very rich.”

Yes, Lina, you are. And we ALL left that room with a fortune in our memory banks and hearts. So congratulations to everyone involved. We got it right.

.janas .fortune