About Bettty

After performing with wedding and top forty   bands, today Betty concentrates on her favorite style of music -- the  jazz of the  1920's through the 40's -- Dixieland, Swing, Ballads and  Big Band. She has been  featured in jazz festivals and events throughout  the United States  plus in  London and Stockholm - and will be featured  for the eighth year in the 2021  www.SuncoastJazzClassic.com  in Clearwater, Fl.  
 Betty  was contacted to produce a number of Jazz Concerts in NJ and NY  shopping malls.  They featured top artists including; John and Bucky  Pizzarelli, Al Cohn, Ronny Whyte, Warren Vache', "The Harlem  Blues  & Jazz Band", Vince Giordano's Nighthawks,  "The Speakeasy Jazz  Babies" and many others.  In several shopping malls, Betty's "Cats &  Jammers" strolling jazz band music appealed to folks from 5 to 95. A  reporter called her "Queen of the Mall".  As Entertainment Co-ordinator  for several restaurants, she worked within the allotted budget to the  benefit of owner, the musicians and the patrons....keeping live music  afloat.

"Betty's  Jazz Pix" radio show  interviews (WFDU)in the 1990's in NJ/NY included  Dick Hyman, Ken Burns, Ed  Polcer, Darryl Sherman, Jack Petersen,  Cynthia  Sayer,  Ruby Vinson, Vince Giordano, Bucky Pizzarelli plus  others. You can hear  them on this website. Isn't tech stuff amazing?   NJ "Entertainment Guide" wrote "There's no typecasting for this musical  chameleon. One night she's a throwback to the sophisticated '40s,  playing    cool jazz piano and singing tunes reminiscent of Billie  Holiday and Lee Wiley.    The next night, bedecked in flapper dress and  feather boa, she's tearing up    the house with a rowdy version of 'Hard  Hearted Hannah'." 

Betty Sokolow (Cliffside Park, NJ) married  Owen Comora and raised  Michael, Cathy and David in Paramus, NJ.    She  and Owen ("Birdman"),  became full-time residents of Sarasota, Florida  in 2002 . They are  grandparents to Ben, Emily, Sage and Teddy.  As  Associate Producer for PBS documentary ,"Palisades Amusement Park: A  Century  of Fond Memories",  she interviewed celebrities including  Walter Cronkite, Cousin  Brucie, John Sebastion, and many others.  Her son, David was Executive Producer and KEN  BURNS, the Award-Winning  documentary filmmaker narrated. This was a labor of love for Betty who  worked  in the cotton candy booth at Palisades Park as a teenager.  Fond Memories, indeed.

Accumulated  volunteer skills paid off  when  Betty became Vice President of an award-winning NYC TV Publicity firm  1989 to 1999.   She handled all the  bookkeeping, contacted and interviewed celebrities and  producers,  wrote national press releases  -- and  also slept with the President ---(of the firm) Owen Comora Associates (for which she was  highly rewarded).   OCA's favorite client for ten years was the brilliant and kind Ken Burns who still produces documentaries for PBS TV.  On a sad note, Owen passed away in 2016.   

Betty's Best Friend is Paul Jacques, leader of the Gulf Coast Banjo Society. They play weekly at Snook Haven in Venice, FL.  Betty is one of the strummers. Both were widowed the same year and they never act their age...by choice.

Since moving to Sarasota,  Betty has enjoyed a  variety of roles in the Player's  Centre and in Manatee Players. Her   favorite role was "Grandma" in Jeffery Kin's creative "Pete's Repair  Shop" which played both theaters. As the Angel,  Grandma, she sang,  played piano, banjo and washboard and spoons. It was a role 'to  die  for'.

Betty wrote "PAPA",  a humorous and touching show, based upon true family anecdotes.  Its not a "Father Knows Best" example.  This show was performed serveral times in The Meadows. 

 "FANNY BRICE TELLS ALL", is a very  popular  one-woman, one-hour show which Betty wrote and performs in.  More information on this program is available on the Fanny page of this website or watch the program on the video to the right.   

"SONGBIRDS OF JAZZ", a  one hour program during  which Betty recalls female Jazz singers with  anecdotes and song samples..   (as  pianist/vocalist), This includes a  diverse variety of singers and why they fall under the same heading   ..."Jazz".   From Sophie Tucker to Billie Holiday to Diana Krall. This   show can be performed solo or with additional musicians. 

 "JEWS IN JAZZ" focuses on the music and some anecdotes  about  Irving Berlin, the Gershwins, Benny Goodman and more.  It can  be performed  solo or additional musicians can be added.  

"ALL THOSE JAZZES" made it's Sarasota debut at the Jazz Club in  April.  Betty wrote this show to explain and demonstrate  the wide variety  of music..all falling under the huge umbrella term...JAZZ!  From Ragtime, Dixieland,  Blues, Chicago Style, Big Band,  Bebop, Latin Jazz, etc.   Such an  amazing diversity of  sounds.   Jazz club members called the one  hour show    'Brilliant',    'Entertaining', 'Informative', etc.  This  progam is a natural for Program Chairman of local communities, Social  clubs, Adult Learning organizations,  etc.  Many folks find that they  actually DO like 'Jazz'...but only one or two forms of it. No one  seems to like ALL variations.  We present this with lighthearted,  amusing narration and the musicians are all top notch.