We’re starting a new series—Who Was Who!— a hall of fame for performing artists that were well known, celebrated and possibly famous in their day. We think these folk, upon whose shoulders we stand, should not be forgotten. If you’d like to contribute a remembrance of Charles DeForest (no more than 400 words), or suggest a subject for our Who Was Who! column, please email us with your suggestion at ScoBarEnt@gmail.com
For four decades, Charles DeForest, singer, pianist, composer and lyricist was an anchor of the New York cabaret and piano bar scene. He was once a featured singer for Benny Goodman, and then struck out on his own as an urbane and sophisticated star in such storied venues as Ted Hook’s Backstage, One Fifth Avenue, the Blue Angel, Peacock Alley and more. When he succumbed to cancer in 1996 he was playing a three-year long residency at Danny’s Grand Sea Palace.
DeForest was born in 1924 in Genoa, New York. In the early 1950s he joined the ranks of New York’s “saloon singers,” and was described by New York Times jazz critic John S. Wilson as having “a soft intimate voice that manages to brush gently over the words in a manner that is clear and precise without being exaggerated.” His greatest mark was made as a composer. His work includes “When Do the Bells Ring for Me,” “Where Do You Go from Love,” “One Day at a Time” and “He’s Coming Home.” DeForest was championed by Tony Bennett, who recorded his songs, as did Chris Conner, George Shearing, Marian McPartland, Blossom Dearie, Sylvia Syms and many others. DeForest recorded three albums for small labels and also starred in a short feature film, City by Dawn, for which he composed the music and wrote the lyrics. He wrote the score for the musical Prizes, produced by AMAS Repertory Theater in 1989.
Known as a gracious, friendly and often humorous man, Charles DeForest received the Mabel Mercer Foundation’s Cabaret Classic award in 1992 and Manhattan Association of Cabaret and Clubs awards in 1992, 1994 and 1995.
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