American Songbook Association Inc.

02/25/2025

Julie Benko & Her Band Euphonic Gumbo

A rocking, rollicking, and sentimental show.

02/22/2025

Wonderful@to have the American Songbook Association collaborating with the 92nd St Y in providing scholarship funding for their Cabaret Seminar Series. Today, Joe Iconis and Michael Kirk Lane teamed up to coach really talented singers- and the sessions were fascinating, informative and fun. Singers interested in cabaret must check out this program. The ASA and Cabaret Scenes are proud to be part of it.

❤️asa

02/21/2025

Demaree: A Journey to Dolly

Demaree duets with Dolly Parton.

02/21/2025

Demaree: A Journey to Dolly

Demaree duet with Dolly Parton.

02/21/2025

Songbook Sundays: Just in Time for Jule Styne

Three vocalists joined in on the fun, and each one showed a strong personality and performance styles.

02/20/2025

Davis Gaines: Love Is in the Air

Gaines’ good humor and fine acting skills were on full display...his big, resonant voice barely required a microphone to reach the back of the room.

02/19/2025

Marnie Klar: Karen Carpenter Covers

A beautifully calibrated performance.

02/16/2025

William Ryall: Why Can’t I Walk Away

Ryall delighted us with both theatrical and personal tales that ranged in emotional scale from hysterically funny to deeply sad.

02/13/2025

Marissa Mulder: This is 40!

She was vulnerable and resilient, homespun and polished, coltish and wise, grounded and spiritual, and always authentic.

01/22/2025

The American Songbook Association’s Education Department moved joyfully into the new year with a foray to PS 205Q in Bayside Queens. This school is EXACTLY our mission target, as it has no music education offerings and a student body and faculty eager to welcome music into their curriculum. 200 students, K-5th, gathered in their lovely auditorium (so READY for music) and the ASA master teachers agree, there was joy in the air.

A HUGE shout out to the teachers, Aaron Lee Battle, Hannah Jane Peterson and Tracy Stark, for dragging themselves out VERY early on a below freezing January day, and giving their all for these students. We often have to lug in a keyboard and other materials, we find ourselves rehearsing in the car, and each one of these three, talented humans brought their professional best to a tiny school in Queens. These students learn about Jazz, Musical Theatre and Classic Song )you haven’t LIVED until you’ve seen Hannah Jane pull out her guitar and sing Patsy Cline to enrapt young people, or Aaron Lee sing Home from The Whiz into little faces hanging on his every word, or Tracy work her magic with NO rehearsal on a Keyboard with no action- and they all sound like they’re on stage in a club).

This school really needs what the ASA offers, and I am currently working to bring them a 12-week program to enrich their academic experience. Our Music Opens Doors Campaign is still active, and we are always grateful for donations towards our educational mission. Just click on our website (in bio) and follow the prompts.

Thank you and may we move onward and upward with music!

❤️asa

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