ABOUT SHIRLEY GIFFORD
After majoring in Music with a B.A. degree from Florida State University, Shirley moved to New York City, where she gathered a musical following during her years singing at The Gaslight Club on East 56th Street, near Park Avenue. She also performed with The Myer Davis Orchestras, and was a soloist for the New Jersey Pops Orchestra. Additionally, she performed at cabaret clubs in Manhattan, including La Chansonnette, Mickey's, and the Magic Pan. During an extended "gig" at La Cave Henri IV, A. M. Rosenthal of the New York Times was in the audience one night, and was surprised when Shirley could sing his request, "Plaisir D'Amour." His group enjoyed it very much, Mr. Rosenthal sent the NY Times reviewer, Richard Shepard, to the restaurant to review Shirley's performing. She received a rave review. When performing at Nell Gwynn’s on East 42nd Street, Don Nelson, of the NY Daily News also gave her a "rave” review, entitling the review, "Soothing Sounds at Grand Central." Singing in eight languages, she did many one-woman shows for various corporations, such as Mobil and Merck, as well as for events such as LPGA Awards Dinners, and for the Catholic Charities Banquet in the presence of the great Jan Pierce on the dais, who gave her the “Okay” sign after her performance of “The Impossible Dream.” Shirley was chosen by Anthony Quinn and Joel Grey for the part of the widow in the Broadway show, “Zorba,” the road tour. Sadly, it didn’t materialize because the original actress decided not to leave the show. But Shirley has always believed things happen for a reason, and very soon after that, she had the opportunity to perform in Tokyo, Japan. In Japan, she sang on various TV shows in Tokyo, and also took advantage of the opportunity to learn a new profession: teaching English as a Second Language. For some years, she “commuted” back and forth between Japan and New York with two professions, singing and teaching. Shirley has been back in New York for 10 years now, and from 1999 to December, 2005, was the executive producer of her own local cable TV show in Manhattan, performing her favorite songs, which she loves to share with everyone. In 2004, she contacted her old friend and associate, AND musical genius, Vinnie Zummo. Together, they began to plan this CD, “Lullabies for Little Angels.” Shirley continues to teach ESL, and loves both teaching…and always singing, of course! As a matter of fact, her very long-range goal is to sing with the angels up in heaven! She’s intent on passing the audition!! To listen to sound samples, go to www.cdbaby.com, |
Shirley has been a singer since she was 5 years old, when she sang her first solo at the Rock Presbyterian Church in Fair Hill, Maryland. Growing up, Shirley, a mezzo, and her sister, Rosalie, who has a beautiful soprano voice, loved to sing duets together, everything from pop to country, to classical.