United States 
Piano Prodigy Jude Kofie to Headline Project Harmony’s 30th Anniversary Gala
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Marilyn Maye is a vocal artist and masterclass educator revered for her performances in cabaret, jazz, and pop music, making her a celebrated figure for various brands and audiences.
Signed a recording contract in 1965, releasing seven albums and 34 singles, including hits like “Cabaret” and “Step to the Rear.”
Appeared a record 76 times, showcasing her musical talent to a national television audience.
Her song "Step to the Rear" was featured in televised advertisements for these brands, for which she recorded with new lyrics and received a new car for several years.
Recorded original hit versions of songs such as 'Cabaret' and 'Step to the Rear' prior to their full release in musicals. Later starred in regional productions including 'Hello, Dolly!' and 'Mame.'
Gained significant attention after performing at New York City's Lincoln Center for the foundation.
Closing out 2024 with a series of performances over New Year's Eve, emphasizing her ongoing connection with leading jazz venues.
Made her solo concert debut at age 95, performing with The New York Pops for a program of standards and musical theater classics.
Marilyn Maye McLaughlin, born on April 10, 1928, in Wichita, Kansas, began her performing career at a young age, encouraged by her mother. She won a Topeka talent contest at age nine, leading to a 13-week radio spot on WIBW. Throughout her teenage years in Des Moines, Iowa, Maye hosted her own weekly radio program and performed within ballrooms, often singing big band music. Following her high school graduation in 1946, she became a staff vocalist for WHAS radio in Louisville, Kentucky, where she performed with various combos and orchestras, laying the groundwork for her solo performances across the Midwest. This early career included an 11-year residency at Kansas City’s Colony Steakhouse, performing alongside her second husband and pianist, Sammy Tucker. The arrangements developed during this period would later influence her debut albums.
Maye’s career saw a significant breakthrough in 1963 when she was discovered by television personality Steve Allen, who featured her on his show. This exposure led to a recording contract with RCA Victor in 1965. Between 1965 and 1970, she recorded seven albums and 34 singles, including the first hit recordings of “Cabaret” and “Step to the Rear.” She became a frequent guest on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” appearing a record 76 times, showcasing her ability to connect with a broad audience. Maye also made appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” “The Dick Cavett Show,” “The Merv Griffin Show,” and “The Mike Douglas Show,” further cementing her status as a versatile and in-demand entertainer.
Even as the nightclub circuit declined in the 1970s, Maye adapted by transitioning to regional theater, starring in productions like “Hello, Dolly!,” “Mame,” and “Follies.” She continued her recording career, releasing albums like “Marilyn Maye Sings All of Jerry Herman’s ‘Hello Dolly’” (1985) and “Maye Sings Ray” (2005). In 2006, at age 78, her performance at New York City’s Lincoln Center for the Mabel Mercer Foundation revitalized her career, drawing new audiences and leading to regular performances in New York and across the United States, including a Carnegie Hall debut at age 95. In addition to her performances, Maye is also a respected masterclass educator, sharing her expertise in stage presence and singing with aspiring artists.
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