Ken Bloom has done so much in the world of theater and music that it is hard to believe he is not twice his age. But, done it all he has. He is a theater historian, playwright, director, record producer, and author. He has co-produced and directed a series of musicals and musical revues including Sirocco, Bride of Sirocco (which transferred to a commercial run), Nightmare!, Out to Lunch, and Eddie’s Catchy Tunes. He also wrote and directed the musical revues Cole Porter Revisited, The Unsung Jerome Kern, and Sweet and Hot: The Songs of Harold Arlen.
His first book, American Song: The Complete Musical Theatre Companion is a listing of every song written for the American Theatre, which was named Reference Book of the Year by Choice Magazine.
And it does not stop there. As a press agent, Ken has represented Cirque du Soleil, the Bolshoi Theatre Grigorovich Ballet, the Moscow Art Theatre, the Kirov Ballet, George Abbott‘s Broadway at the Royale Theatre on Broadway, internationally known children’s performers Sharon, Lois & Bram, and many others.
His newest book Eubie Blake, Rags, Rhythm and Race shines a very focused light on a precociously gifted musician who went from playing at the age of 11 in dance halls and brothels to the heights of Broadway success. Hearing Ken tell this story sheds light on the realities of music of the early 1900s and the shocking views on race. For the rest of the story, well, you can get the book. I have it, and I can tell you that it is remarkable for succeeding in a huge historical task. Ken brings so much of his own personal charm and enthusiasm as he talks about Eubie Blake that seeing him is a whole other treat.
