re my international career as singer.

From: George

To: James Clark

Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2007 5:33 AM

Subject: Re: Vincent Sardi Jr., Restaurateur and Unofficial 'Mayor of Broadway,' Dies at 91

Hi Jim,

I know you have performed all over Europe, Japan and the US. In what other regions have you performed?

George

Hi George

That´s it. I was supposed to perform in Taiwan, passport was ready etc. but my wife did not want me to go so I stayed home. In Europe I have performed in Switzerland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Csech Republic, Germany, and did an audition in Budapest for the opera there.

When I was in England two years ago, Alan Waugh, I, and his wife sang a concert till about 4 AM for his 2 labrador retrievers. Sadly they slept during most of our endeavours. It was a memorable concert with me on keyboard, Alan on Guitar and I think his wife played the cello with all of us doing vocals. The problem with my memory of the concert is that it was watered down with the exquisite Ales that are common to this region. I guess you could sort of add England to the list but the critics were not impressed.

Wait a minute!! I was on board the Vistafjord Cruise ship in 1989 in the Carribean, and the Sagafjord in 1990 in Tahiti as part of an opera trio. We sang in international waters off the coasts of most of the Islands in the Carribean as well as underway to Tahiti off the coasts of Baha Mexico and then the Tahitian group of islands. Do these count?

Don´t forget my solo concerts in Vietnam when no one was listening and in ports of the mediterranean including a sing along at 3 in the morning with the Commander and troops of the Foreign Legion at Corsica. There was also a command performance in Spain at a Cafe in Carboneras for General Galin y Soga and officers of the Spanish Marine Corps. They all shouted (the Spaniards) "Que Dulce la voce" and other assorted Spanish compliments. A Lieutenant named Miguel then commandeered my guitar and played those wonderful Jotas which are Spanish folk dances. The other officers then danced as he played jotas from their particular regions such as Catalonia. All this and naturally my hard working battalion commander was totally unaware that the S-4 (me) was performing difficult liason duties albeit unofficial and I guess AWOL from the battle scene (exercise). ( The Spanish General and his officers participating in the exercise were also not at their battle stations being more relaxed about this serious business of war games. ) This an a few other things contributed to my not making Lt.Col but that is another chapter in my upcoming book of entitled "200 Reasons I did not make Lt.Col. "

Semper Fi,

Jim

Vincent Sardi

Excerpt from New York Times Article:
Vincent Sardi Jr., Restaurateur and Unofficial 'Mayor of Broadway,' Dies at 91
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/05/nyregion/05sardi.html

Vincent Sardi Jr., who owned and managed Sardi's restaurant, his father's theater-district landmark, for more than half a century and became, by wide agreement, the unofficial mayor of Broadway, died yesterday at a hospital in Berlin, Vt.. He was 91 and had lived in Warren, Vt., since retiring in 1997.

MY COMMENT
In the late 70´s I had the honor to sit next to Vincent at a mess night sponsored by the New Jersey/New York MCROA in the New York City’s 69th Regiment Armory. At the time I was president of the Garden State Chapter. The guest of honor was PX Kelly and his wife. General Kelly was then heading the Strategic Command in Florida. Major Sardi suggested that I sing the Star Bangled Banner. Of course it was a little embarrassing as I am not used to yodeling in front of people but anyway I forced myself to sing and General Kelly was impressed. When I did reserve duty at the Naval Annex I would stop by to chat with the then Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Kelly as well as visit with George Navadel and Chaplain Ammons. (Jim Woodring and Joe Arroyo former XO of India company were also at Headquarters Marine Corps.) I sang so well that it was recommended I stay at the rank of Major instead of progressing to Lt.Col. as the promotion board told me that it wouldn´t be fitting for a Battalion Commander to serenade the troops...