The Great Jewish American Songbook
A Live Presentation of Songs and Stories of the Jewish Composers of Popular Music of the 20th Century
The Presentation
In his one-hour presentation, Mr. Hindin plays piano, sings and tells background stories of the music, how it came to be, the Jewish musical influences hidden in plain sight within the songs, and of the Jewish men and women who created the iconic sounds of the era.
His is one of the few live presentations today which specifically details the influences of Jewish music and liturgy that made it’s way into the popular music of the 20th century. He engages his audiences with his passion for the subject and the importance of keeping alive this significant part of our Jewish-American cultural history.
Mr. Hindin uses a personal and sometimes humorous approach to tell the fascinating stories behind the music. He entertains, educates and shares his focus on this great reservoir of creativity that spans the end of World War I, the Great Depression, World War II and the explosion of America onto the world stage after the end of World War II. Mr. Hindin stresses the huge contributions that Jewish immigrants in America made to the culture of the great melting pot that was America during this era.
For instance, it was Russian-Jewish immigrant Irving Berlin who gave America one of it’s greatest Christmas songs, “White Christmas,” and it was the Gershwin brothers, George and Ira, who quoted Jewish liturgical music for their song “It Ain’t Necessarily So” in their opera Porgy and Bess.
He reaches “over the footlights” to involve the audience and share his deep connection to the cultural gifts that made America the great country it became post-World War I and beyond.
The Great Jewish American Songbook
A Description
The Greatest Popular Music of the 20th Century
The Great American Songbook, also known as "American Standards", is the canon of the most important and influential American popular songs and jazz standards composed beginning in the early 20th Century, and some would say continue through the popular music of today. Although several collections of music have been published under the title, it does not refer to any actual book or specific list of songs, but to a loosely defined set including the most popular and enduring songs from the 1920s to the 1950s that were created for Broadway Theatre, musical theatre, and Hollywood musical film. They have been recorded and performed by a wide range of singers, instrumental bands, and jazz musicians.
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Culture writer Martin Chilton defines the term "Great American Songbook" as follows: "Tunes of Broadway musical theatre, Hollywood movie musicals and Tin Pan Alley (the hub of songwriting that was the music publishers' row on New York’s West 28th Street)". Chilton adds that these songs "became the core repertoire of jazz musicians" during the period that "stretched roughly from 1920 to 1960".
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Although several collections of music have been published under the "Great American Songbook" title, the term does not refer to any actual book or specific list of songs. The Great American Songbook includes standards by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer and Richard Rodgers among others.
In Alec Wilder's 1972 study, American Popular Song: The Great Innovators, 1900–1950, the songwriter and critic lists and ranks the artists he believes belong to the Great American Songbook canon. A composer, Wilder emphasized analysis of composers and their creative efforts in this work.
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Radio personality and Songbook devotee Jonathan Schwartz and singer Tony Bennett have both described this genre as "America's classical music".
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source: Wikipedia
For more information:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_American_Songbook
William Hindin
A Biography
Mr. Hindin developed his Great Jewish American Songbook Presentation and performed it numerous times at such venues as the JCC-Milwaukee, at “Koach” events in Milwaukee at Congregation Emanuel B’ne Jeshurun, Cogregation Shalom, Congregation Beth Israel ner Tamid, Temple Sinai and at Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston, NJ. He regularly performs his show at the Jewish Home, Chai Point and Chudnow retirement homes in Milwaukee. He has performed at JFest, an international Jewish Arts Festival, in Leeds, UK.
As a composer, he is currently producing an album of his songs called
“This Too Shall Pass: Songs From Quarantine.”
Mr. Hindin was a featured performer-pianist at the Milwaukee Rep. production of “I Left My Heart,” a tribute to Tony Bennett and his music. He served as Musical Director-Arranger for the Off-Broadway run of the acclaimed show, "Spaghetti & Matzo Balls” with the singer and actress, Rena Strober. He co-musical directed the 35th Anniversary show of "All My Children" at New York City’s Town Hall and served as Musical Director for the Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS “Labors of Love". He served as Musical Director, Conductor, Arranger and Road Manager for entertainer
John Davidson and has conducted for Rosemary Clooney.
In between countless Equity and Non-Equity tours and dinner theatres, he served as Musical Director and vocal arranger for Allan Albert Productions in the development of award-winning theme park shows. He served as senior Musical Director and Conductor for Princess Cruises, as well as developed revues and hired talent for numerous cruise lines.
He was a featured performer at the USA Pavilion at the World Expo in Seville, Spain. He also served on the staff of the MFA Program of The Actors Studio and was a Graduate Assistant for the Saratoga-Potsdam Choral Institute for four years, performing and teaching choral masterworks with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He is proud of being a part of the Grammy Award-winning recordings of Beethoven‘s "Missa Solemnis" and the "Verdi Requiem" with the Chicago Symphony Chorus.
His management company, William Hindin Artist Management ("WHAM"), represents variety and theatrical performers.
What They Are Saying
“Bill Hindin is pure joy! His talent as well as knowledge of Broadway, Tin Pan Alley, the Jewish American Songbook is engaging, informative and he has contributed so much to our cultural landscape here at the JCC.”
Jody Hirsh, Director of “Tapestry: Arts and Ideas from
the Harry & Rose Family Jewish Community Center" - Milwaukee
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“Bill is the kind of performer you find when you go to a NYC Club like Café Carlyle.
His wealth of knowledge when it comes to Great American Songbook history is as much
as a performance as it was a talk about the lore of musicals. If you have a chance to attend one of his programs, do it! You won’t be disappointed.”
David J. Wagner, Ph.D. is an Art Curator & Museum Exhibition Tour Director
“Bill Hindin always brought his years of experience to every appearance -- performed with
elegant taste and exceptional musicianship. He never failed to captivate our patrons with his extensive repertoire, all enriched with fascinating facts, stories and remembrances.”
Thallis Hoyt Drake
Retired Concert Coordinator
Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, Milwaukee WI
“Mr. Hindin’s performance was one of the best library programs I have ever attended.
Mr. Hindin does it all in this program that is very entertaining while also educational.
He is an extremely talented musician, singer, and performer and while being a complete professional and very knowledgable, he is also a lot of fun! I would book Mr. Hindin for another library program in a heartbeat.”
Scott Lenski
Community & Adult Services Librarian
Whitefish Bay (WI) Public Library
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"Fortunately, Bill Hindin has close ties to his Milwaukee roots. When he is in town, I jump at the chance to have him perform at Chai Point because he is a true friend to our residents and staff. His performances are always fresh and new. Bill educates our residents about the roots of the Jewish composers of the Great American Songbook and brings back many cherished memories of that era of our residents' lives. He connects deeply with our audiences."
Bonnie Jean​ Barczak
CP Activities Director-Chai Point Ovation Jewish Home, Milwaukee
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Get in Touch
Address:
c/o WHAM. 752 West End Avenue #7H. New York. NY 10025