A few years ago, Time magazine wrote, "in an increasingly inelegant world, Bobby Short is the very symbol of elegance, style and an easier way of life. Not long ago his appeal seemed largely confined to New York, but now just about everybody everywhere seems to be enchanted by Bobby."

Stephen Holden of the New York Times writes about a recent visit to the Cafe Carlyle: "Bobby Short has been synonymous for so many years with a particular image of Manhattan chic that it is easy to lose sight of what makes him the only cabaret performer in New York who could be called an institution. The key to his endurance has little to do with fashion or his relationship with what used to be called high society. It has everything to do with his superb musicianship, his impeccable taste in songs and an undiminished passion that infuses his brand of cultivated charm with a genuine joie de vivre..."

It's with acclaim such as this that Mr. Short has become the nation's most celebrated cabaret performer. Born in Danville, Illinois, he taught himself to play and sing by ear. he began performing as a child, touring vaudeville from the age of 12, when he was dubbed "the miniature king of swing". By 1954, he had begun to record and had attracted a loyal following for his interpretations of popular songs for the 20's and 30's at nightclubs in New York, Hollywood, Paris and London. A major turning point in his career came in 1968, when he appeared in the first of two hugely successful Town Hall Concerts with Mabel Mercer. Since them, he has appeared in major concert halls with The Boston Pops, The Chicago Symphony, the Orchestra of St. Luke's and the New York Pops, as well as the symphony orchestras of San Francisco, Sacramento, oakland, Denver, Seattle, Atlanta, Detroit and Columbus, to name but a few.

His recordings of the works of Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart and other important composers have earned him much attention, reviving interest in these composers' songs, cabaret performing and especially himself.

Mr. Short performed at the White House often during the Nixon, Carter, Reagan and Clinton administrations and has appeared in a television cabaret special filmed in the East Room of the Clinton White House. He has made frequent appearances on the legitimate stage, television and film as both performer and dramatic actor. Television viewers saw him in a featured dramatic role in the series, "In the Heat of the Night" in which he created the role of Ches Collins. Mr. short may also be seen on the screen in the HBO film, "Blue Ice" starring Michael Caine and performing as himself in "For Love Or Money" which stars Michael J. Fox and in Woody Allen's, "Hannah and Her Sisters". Most recently, he has been seen and heard on radio and television promoting the department store, Neiman Marcus and is highly featured in a new television commercial for the Frito-Lay company.

He has be nominated for two Grammy Awards in 1993 and 1994 for his Telarc recordings, "late Night at the Cafe Carlyle" and "Swing that Music". Other Honors include, an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Bloomfield College in New Jersey and an appointment as Laureate of the Lincoln Academy in his home state of Illinois. On the 100th anniversary of Cole Porter's birth, Mr. Short received from the Cole Porter family their "You're the Top" award for his outstanding contribution toward sustaining the Cole Porter legend. He was also appointed by Mayor David Dinkins to the Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission of the City of New York. And, in 1994 was the recipient of the New York State Governor's Arts Award presented in collaboration with the New York Council on the Arts and was also presented with the "Living Landmarks" award from the New York Landmarks Conservancy, both for outstanding achievement over the years. in 1995, Mr. Short was the third recipient of the James Weldon Johnson Award for outstanding achievement in the arts and in 1997 the museum of the City of New York presented him with the "$24 Award" in recognition of this contribution to the quality of life in New York CIty as performer, civic leader and cultural ambassador. Both his home town of Danville, Illinois and his adopted residence of New York City have honored him with "Bobby Short Day".

Mr. Short has contributed articles to such periodicals as The New York Times, Vogue, Vanity Fair, The Saturday Review of Literature and Traveler. He has lectured at Harvard University and at the New School in New York City. Random House in 1995 published, Bobby Short, the Life and Times of a Saloon Singer, as sequel to his widely acclaimed memoir, Black and White Baby, published in 1971 by Dodd Mead.

To the delight of the press and his fans, Mr. Short, for his 30th season at New York's Cafe Carlyle, has expanded his usual accompaniment from the trio, piano, bass and drums, to include six horn players to create.

He has been called a National Treasure and a living legend, although at this point in time he describes himself as a saloon pianist and singer. His wide spectrum of interests include being a Trustee at the Studio Museum in Harlem and a Board member at the Third Street Music School Settlement House. He is the founder and President of the Duke Ellington Memorial Fund whose sole purpose is to create a monument of the late composer at the northeast corner of Central Park in New York City. The monument is due for installation in July of this year.

Mr. Short resides in New York City and Mougins, France.

May 21, 1997