WORLD OF CABARET
AMERICAN
MUSIC AND THE BIRTH OF CABARET FROM THE EARLY JAZZ ERA TO PRESENT
By
Maximillien de Lafayette
Dianne Donovan, Mady Kaye, Beth Ullman. Dynamic American contemporary
Cabaret performers. They represent the essence of “Torch Entertainment” at
its best.
The 13 Different Kinds and Genres of
Cabaret Around the World
1. The cabaret
traditional intimate setting:
Originated in Berlin around 1911 to entertain political figures, spies,
powerful, colorful and influential shady characters, the rich and the
famous. Type of Performers: Mata Hari, the Blue Angel Woman and the Dora’s
style, in short, it was a heaven for “Les Femmes Fatales” of the era and
women of suspense and mystery.
2. The cabaret variety
show:
Created by many establishments on old Paris, such as: Le Paradis Latin,
Follies Bergere, Lido, Moulin Rouge, Casino de Paris, Copa Cabana and many
other ritzy establishments around the globe. In the fifties and early
sixties, Havana became one of the hottest cabaret destinations in the
World fueled by money poured by the American and Italian Mafia. Many
American and Latin artists of a high caliber performed at those
establishments. As well as, artists of a mediocre quality. Some of the
best were Perez Prado, Catherine Sauvage, Julie Wilson et al.
3. The cabaret
extravaganza:
Casino du Liban in Jounieh, Lebanon, Lido, Follies Bergeres, Moulin Rouge,
the vanished golden era of Hollywood, Chicago and New York.
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4. The cabaret sex
revue/show: Property of the Scandinavian countries and
products.
5. The cabaret nude and striptease style:
Common in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, around Picadilly Circus and Soho in
England and several spots in various districts in Paris. It has
nothing to do with music quality and respectable singing repertoire. It is
simply a display of naked women in stage and “engagee” off stage women who
accommodate the sexual needs of clients and patrons. It originated in
Europe and found its way to Asia during the second world war. Rich foreign
businessmen from the West and American soldiers stationed abroad added to
the prosperity and expansion of this kind of entertainment.
6. The cabaret
intellectual style:
Rare to find, rare to see and rare to enjoy. Some of the leaders of this
genre were French performers and famous artists, singers, poets, authors,
hustlers, existentialists, to name a few: Edith Piaf, Lucienne Delysle,
Barbara, Gribouille, Jean Cocteau, Sacha Guitry, etc.,
7. The grand cabaret
genre:
Big time cabaret music, cabaret repertoire, variety of shows compromising
of dance numbers, stand up comics, magic acts, big bands, a wave of
artists from different destinations, countries and ethnic groups,
sometimes, exotic animals and mini-acrobatic acts are presented, etc…This
style died in America. A revival is en route in Las Vegas casinos. Some of
the most famous performers were Luis Prima, Keely Smith, Frank Sinatra,
Dean Martin, Samy Davis Jr., Tom Jones, etc.,
8. The cabaret
dinner show:
Originated in Europe in Italian, German, Austrian and French small “boites-restaurants”.
This genre became very common in America, particularly in suburbia. A
small production and presentation of American tunes and songs from various
eras and classical Broadway shows, productions and musical scores. Local
or out of state performers take part in this production. Not a big scale
business but good enough to entertain the clientele.
9. The Marlene Dietrich
(Blue Angel)/Mata Hari style:
The Ultimate form of traditional cabaret dressed with the bizarre, the
mysterious, the risqué, the enigma, …Well, let your imagination go wild.
It is gone. Adios baby! Your money is safe!
10. The Upper/ High
Class Middle Eastern/Near Eastern Cabaret:
Famous belly dancers (Samia Jamal, Tahia Karioka, Mouhtaram Noor), an
avalanche of famous singers, radio, motion pictures, stage and TV
personalities, comics, stage magicians, usually a good pure ethnic-folk or
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contempo band of 7 to 8 musicians with Oud (Arab guitar), kanoun (Similar
the American Country Music flat guitar with Hawaii sounds). No intimacy
whatsoever. Usually loud and very noisy. Give the men one more drink, and
Boom Kataboum, a revolution will start all over again!!
 Photo:
Mata Hari
11. The Low-Class Middle
Eastern/Near Eastern Cabaret:
Forget it! Spread like
rotten mushrooms and tortillas in Lebanon,
Greece, Turkey
12. The Cabaret
Concert Hall: Majestic and classy. It represents the highest level
of musical repertoire quality. High society, royalty, well to do people,
intellectuals as well as regular folks attend these productions.
Ironically, burlesques and Vaudeville paved the way for the American
Cabaret Concert Hall genre. Some of the most illustrious artists belonging
to this category are: Lorna Dallas, Mina, Andrea Marcovicci, Amanda
McBroom, Anna Bergman, Sabah, Feirouz, Ismahan, Oum Kalthoum, Farid Al
Atrach, Najat Al Sagira, Anne Kerry Ford, Sarita Montiel, Amalia
Rodriguez, Julio Iglessias, Francoise Hardy, Catherine Sauvage, Dalida,
Petula Clark, Julie London, Peggy Lee, Keely Smith, Tony Bennett, Frank
Sinatra, Al Martino, Mario Lanza, Al Jolson, Lisa Minelli, Barbra
Streisand, Joan Baez, Anne Murray, Gabriella Ferri, Barbara Cook, etc.
13. Cabaret
Burlesques: The Jack Ruby’s
joint style. It originated in cheap joints in Europe to entertain
the low class.
Marlene Dietrich
Continues on the next page
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Photo:
The Andrews Sisters
