Peggy King to Play 54 Below, 12/30

Vocalist Peggy King--one of the few, certifiable stars of stage, screen, television and nightclubs still performing today-is returning to New York City for the first time in several decades, along with the charismatically swinging All-Star Jazz Trio. Peggy King and The All-Stars will appear at 54 Below-"New York's Supper Club," 254 West 54th Street-on Monday, December 30. Showtime is 7:00 p.m. Tickets are priced from $25 to $35, and are available in advance via www.54below.com Reservation details:646-468-7619.

"Pretty, perky Peggy King" has worked in films and television with nearly every star imaginable, from Frank Sinatra and Mel Torme to Sammy Davis, Jr. and Andre Previn, and her dozens of recordings through the years show just why she remains a favorite of America's finest composers and lyricists. Indeed, one of the charming highpoints of the Emmy Award-winning HBO film, "Behind the Candelabra," is the scene when Michael Douglas proudly shows Matt Damon the vintage video clip of Peggy King's on-screen rendition of "When Liberace Winks at Me," which she sang with Liberace himself in 1955. Her vocal is also included on the new Elektra soundtrack album.

Her credits could fill volumes, and they include film roles in "The Bad and the Beautiful" with Kirk Douglas and Lana Turner, "Zero Hour" with Dana Andrews and Linda Darnell and even "Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy." She is perhaps best-remembered for her three years as a television regular on "The George Gobel Show" (where she first got the "pretty, perky" label) and guest-starring stints with Steve Allen, Pat Boone, James Garner, Bob Hope, Nat "King" Cole, Ed Sullivan, Garry Moore, Johnny Carson and Mike Douglas, among many others. Her classic Columbia recordings include "Make Yourself Comfortable," "You Better Go Now" and "In My Own Little Corner" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella".

Since teaming up with The All-Star Jazz Trio-pianist Andy Kahn, drummer Bruce Klauber and bassist Bruce Kaminsky--the combination has wowed sell out audiences in and around Philadelphia and Atlantic City. Those who have heard the buzz have all checked in with comments. Rex Reed, who will introduce Peggy King from the stage of 54 Below, said, What a delectable talent she was and still is." Jazz Times wrote, "Her intonation, interpretive powers, subtle sense of swing and range are all there, and in many ways better than they were in 1955." The Philadelphia Inquirer just commented, "There's a bittersweet nuance to everything she sings with her rich soprano, particularly favorites from Jerome Kern or Rodgers and Hammerstein. She could spend her life singing just their songs."

Don't Miss a Music News Story Sign up for all the news on the Winter season, discounts & more...