Singer Musician Composer – George Markey
Somebody once said, “Family is like music, some high notes, some low notes, but always a beautiful song.” To singer musician composer George Markey, music is family, since it is the foundation on which generations of his own family were grounded.
Markey will be appearing in a special presentation of a Night on Broadway at the Shore Casino at the Municipal Yacht Harbor in Atlantic Highlands Friday, February 16 from 7 to 10 p.m.
But knowing something about the story of this musician’s life and the family history of making music a priority makes the musical night at the Shore Casino even more groundbreaking.
George has inherited musical talent from both sides of his family, at a variety of different levels. While he never had a formal lesson in music as a young musician, it was his grandfather who first introduced him to the beauty of music. Grandfather George was a well known and loved member of the American Guild of Organists, a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and an honorary Doctor at MacPhail College. He taught at Westminster Choir College and the Peabody Conservatory and was director of the Gilman Morgan School in New York. His wife Jane Page Markey was a renowned operatic soprano and young George’s mother was also a soprano who learned from her mother and passed lessons on to her son. It was George’s Uncle Don Demmert who gave him vocal instructions as well. He and Dr. Markey had met when both were musicians in a Jewish temple an Episcopal church in north Jersey.
The present day singer George Markey recalls now how he was his grandfather’s page turner and loved music and his ability to pick up instruments under his grandfather’s tutelage and make his own music. That was the beginning of a lifelong love of music and a professional career in it that has included everything from teaching music to special education students, private lessons for students of all ages, concert and nightclub presentations, and this weekend’s Night on Broadway at the Shore Casino.
Markey has earned his own series of awards and commendations during his career, including being nominated for numerous Count Basie Awards several years ago when he led the Colts Neck High School in music and vocal director for their presentation of Godspell. His students have been named Top of the Top performers for at least five different years as well as his awards for teaching numerous students who went on to win their own local, state and national awards in both vocal and instrumental music.
Outside of the classroom and on stage in numerous different settings across the united States, Markey continues to make headlines. He’s been in a vocal group sharing the stage with Larry Chance and the Earls, Lenny Coco and the Chimes, , Johnny Maestro, the Tokens, and the Manhattan Transfer to name a few.
As a singer, Markey identifies as a tenor. But he has a broad range of vocal talent, can tick off on his fingers the 11 instruments in plays, from flute and trumpet to guitar, violin, base, cello and of courses piano and can carry on banter and history as he introduces whatever blend of music he is presenting next.
He is quick to point out that while he loves every type of music his favorite is “the one the audience want to hear at that particular time.” “People especially like to hear songs and music they do not expect to hear,” he laughs, pointing out that even Broadway music has taken on a new meaning in recent years. And while he might sing popular hits from My Fair Lady or Les Misérables next weekend, , he is just as apt to burst into song from popular artists whose names have been made in recordings or CDs.
Many have compared Marley’s voice to Andre Bocelli and his Music of the Night brings listeners to their feet after his stirring rendition from Phantom of the Opera.
Markey also writes music and is currently working on a presentation of Joan of Arc. He is undecided if he will bring a second instrument to the Shore Casino Night on Broadway February 16, but if he does, it will most likely be a trumpet.
Married and the father of three children and living in Lakewood, Martey’s wife Sandra also has musical talent, singing soprano. She is a recipient of the Governor’s Sward for Vocal Music. George holds degrees from Thomas Edison College for classes he took on line in later years to compliment his natural talent and first hand lessons he had at his grandfather’s piano.
Reservations are necessary for the February 16 performance. Tickets are $40 each and include the evening of music and light snacks as well as a cash bar. Reservations can be made by calling 732-291-4300 and leaving a phone number for a call back confirmation of the reservation.
