Molaskey, Pedi and Maye Among 2008 Nightlife Awards Winners

By Andrew Gans
January 9, 2008

Winners of the 2008 Nightlife Awards — celebrating the best in New York cabaret, comedy and jazz — were announced Jan. 9.

The annual awards ceremony, which boasts no acceptance speeches, just performances, will be held Jan. 28 at Town Hall. In addition to the winners — who will all perform — the 7 PM evening will also feature appearances by Bill Charlap and Sandy Stewart, Lari White, Hilary Kole, Charles Busch, Lucie Arnaz, Julie Halston and Tony Award winners Bill Irwin and Joanna Gleason. Bruce Vilanch will host; Carl Andress directs.

In a statement Nightlife Awards creator and producer Scott Siegel said, "I am deeply gratified that every year performers knock themselves out to come back to Town Hall to perform. This year, Marilyn Maye -- who holds the record for the most appearances by a singer on 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson' (76 appearances) — is flying in from Kansas City. Country star and crossover cabaret artist Lari White is flying up from Nashville. Jazz legend Carol Sloane is coming in from out of town, as well, while English star Barb Jungr changed a gig in the UK in order to perform at Town Hall. John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey, despite being booked for another major event later that night, are coming to Town Hall early in the evening to perform. And then there is Bruce Vilanch, the three-time Emmy Award winner coming in from L.A. to host the evening at a comic level equal to the Academy Awards — after all, when he isn't on strike, he writes the Oscar telecast."

The complete list of winners of the 2008 Nightlife Awards follow:

Outstanding Cabaret Vocalist in a Major Engagement: Marilyn Maye

Outstanding Cabaret Duo or Group in a Major Engagement: John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey

Outstanding Cabaret Vocalist: Barb Jungr

Outstanding Cabaret Comedy or Characterization: Christine Pedi

Outstanding Cabaret Duo or Group: Modern Man

Outstanding Piano Bar Entertainer: Natalie Douglas

Outstanding Jazz Vocalist in a Major Engagement: Carol Sloane

Outstanding Jazz Vocalist: Allan Harris

Outstanding Jazz Soloist: Hank Jones

Outstanding Jazz Combo: Anat Cohen and the Anzic Orchestra

Outstanding Comedian in a Major Engagement: Louis Ck

Outstanding Comedian: John Mulaney

Outstanding Comic Duo or Group: Flight of the Conchords

Town Hall is located in Manhattan at 123 West 43rd Street. For tickets, priced $25-$75, call (212) 307-4100 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.