Jeff Harnar

Harnar's family relocated often when he was a child, living in California, Chicago and elsewhere. During this period of his life he was "dreaming and planning for a career in musical comedy".{{cite web |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=1989-10-21 |title=Life Isn't Always a Cabaret |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/21/arts/life-isn-t-always-a-cabaret.html |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=The New York Times}} He transferred from Southern Methodist University to New York University. Harnar's early hopes of Broadway roles were met with scarce opportunities, so he transitioned to cabaret.

Harnar has performed for over four decades{{cite web |last1=Greenberg |first1=Bart |title=Jeff Harnar and Alex Rybeck: Our 40th Anniversary Songbook |url=https://cabaretscenes.org/2023/06/24/jeff-harnar-and-alex-rybeck-our-40th-anniversary-songbook/ |website=Cabaret Scenes |date=24 June 2023 |access-date=21 January 2025}}{{cite web |title=Jeff Harnar |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jeff-harnar-mn0000190123 |website=AllMusic |access-date=21 January 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Holden |first1=Stephen |title=Review/ Cabaret: A New Singer of Songs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/04/arts/review-cabaret-a-new-singer-of-old-songs.html |website=The New York Times |date=4 August 1988 |access-date=21 January 2025}} at cabaret venues in New York: the Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel, Feinstein's 54 Below,{{cite web |last1=Higgins |first1=Molly |title=Jeff Harnar is Revisiting Sammy Cahn With an Expanded Album and 54 Below Concerts |url=https://playbill.com/article/jeff-harnar-is-revisiting-sammy-cahn-with-an-expanded-album-and-54-below-concerts |website=Playbill |publisher=Playbill, Inc |access-date=21 January 2025}} Feinstein's at the Regency,{{cite web |last1=Gans |first1=Andrew |title=Ziemba, Callaway, Reams and Marcovicci to Join Harnar for A Collective Cy |url=https://playbill.com/article/ziemba-callaway-reams-and-marcovicci-to-join-harnar-for-a-collective-cy-com-136243 |website=Playbill.com |publisher=Playbill |access-date=21 January 2025}} The Firebird Cafe,{{cite web |title=Firebird Cabaret Set to Fly |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/1998/01/12/firebird-cabaret-set-to-fly/ |website=New York Daily News |date=12 January 1998 |publisher=Tribune Publishing |access-date=21 January 2025}} The Ballroom,{{cite web |last1=Greenberg |first1=Bart |title=Jeff Harnar: Carried Away |url=https://cabaretscenes.org/2019/09/20/jeff-harnar-carried-away/ |website=Cabaret Scenes |date=20 September 2019 |access-date=21 January 2025}} The Russian Tea Room,{{cite web |title=Award-Winning Cabaret, Concert, and Recording Artist Jeff Harnar Continues The Bradstan Cabaret Series |url=https://theeldredpreserve.com/award-winning-cabaret-concert-and-recording-artist-jeff-harnar-continues-the-bradstan-cabaret-series/ |website=The Eldred Preserve |access-date=21 January 2025}} the Laurie Beechman Theatre, and Birdland;{{cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Alix |title=Jeff Harnar: It's De-Lovely: Jeff Harnar Sings Cole Porter |url=https://cabaretscenes.org/2024/03/13/jeff-harnar-its-de-lovely-jeff-harnar-sings-cole-porter/ |website=Cabaret Scenes |date=14 March 2024 |access-date=21 January 2025}} in Los Angeles and San Francisco: the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel{{cite web |last1=Martinez |first1=Julio |title=On a Clear Day You Can See Forever |url=https://variety.com/1997/legit/reviews/on-a-clear-day-you-can-see-forever-3-1117341230/ |website=Variety.com |date=24 July 1997 |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=21 January 2025}} and the Plush Room at the York Hotel;{{cite web |title=A Stellar Convention Lineup / Cabaret stars crowd into San Francisco |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/a-stellar-convention-lineup-cabaret-stars-crowd-2776288.php |website=SFGate |publisher=Hearst Communications, Inc |access-date=21 January 2025}} and The Pheasantry{{cite web |title=Jeff Harnar Sings Sammy Cahn – The Pheasantry |url=https://muCsicaltheatrereview.com/jeff-harnar-sings-sammy-cahn-the-pheasantry/ |website=Musical Theatre Review |access-date=21 January 2025}} in London.

Harnar has collaborated with cabaret, jazz, and musical theatre artists including KT Sullivan,{{cite web |last1=Callahan |first1=Steve |title=KT Sullivan and Jeff Harnar pay tribute to Sondheim at the Gaslight Cabaret Festival, March 11 and 12 |url=https://kdhx.org/articles/cabaret/31-kt-sullivan-and-jeff-harnar-pay-tribute-to-sondheim-at-the-gaslight-cabaret-festival-march-11-and-12 |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=KDHX}} Liz Callaway,{{cite web |last1=Culwell-Block |first1=Logan |title=Hear Cabaret Favorite Jeff Harnar Cover City of Angels' 'With Every Breath I Take' |url=https://playbill.com/article/hear-cabaret-favorite-jeff-harnar-cover-city-of-angels-with-every-breath-i-take |website=Playbill.com |publisher=Playbill |access-date=12 March 2025}} Nicholas King,{{cite web |last1=Fassler |first1=Ron |date=21 October 2024 |title=Jeff Harnar Sings Sammy Cahn |url=https://theaterpizzazz.com/jeff-harnar-sings-sammy-cahn/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Theater Pizzazz}} Nicole Zuraitis,{{cite web |last1=Higgins |first1=Molly |title=Jeff Harnar is Revisiting Sammy Cahn With an Expanded Album and 54 Below Concerts |url=https://playbill.com/article/jeff-harnar-is-revisiting-sammy-cahn-with-an-expanded-album-and-54-below-concerts |website=Playbill.com |publisher=Playbill |access-date=12 March 2025}}MOIPEI Trio,{{cite web |last1=Fassler |first1=Ron |date=21 October 2024 |title=Jeff Harnar Sings Sammy Cahn |url=https://theaterpizzazz.com/jeff-harnar-sings-sammy-cahn/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Theater Pizzazz}} Jon Weber,{{cite web |last1=Culwell-Block |first1=Logan |title=Jeff Harnar to Share My Life in Sondheim's Words With New Solo Album |url=https://playbill.com/article/jeff-harnar-to-share-my-life-in-sondheims-words-with-new-solo-album |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Playbill.com |publisher=Playbill}} Sondra Lee,{{cite web |last1=Patterson |first1=Denny |date=21 July 2022 |title=Exclusive: Nightclub and Concert Artist Jeff Harnar |url=https://instinctmagazine.com/exclusive-nightclub-and-concert-artist-jeff-harnar/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Instinct |publisher=Instinct Magazine}} Clint Holmes,{{cite web |last1=Lester |first1=Marilyn |date=3 August 2024 |title=Jeff Harnar at 54 Below—A Triumphant Evening Celebrating Sammy Cahn, a CD and a Birthday |url=https://nitelifeexchange.com/jeff-harnar-at-54-below-a-triumphant-evening-celebrating-sammy-cahn-a-cd-and-a-birthday/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Nitelife Exchange |publisher=ScoBar Entertainment}} Sally Mayes,{{cite web |last1=Higgins |first1=Molly |title=Jeff Harnar is Revisiting Sammy Cahn With an Expanded Album and 54 Below Concerts |url=https://playbill.com/article/jeff-harnar-is-revisiting-sammy-cahn-with-an-expanded-album-and-54-below-concerts |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Playbill.com |publisher=Playbill}} Gabrielle Stravelli,{{cite web |last1=Fassler |first1=Ron |date=21 October 2024 |title=Jeff Harnar Sings Sammy Cahn |url=https://theaterpizzazz.com/jeff-harnar-sings-sammy-cahn/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Theater Pizzazz}} Julie Wilson,{{cite web |last1=Delatiner |first1=Barbara |date=11 August 1991 |title=Long Island Guide: AIDS Benefit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/11/nyregion/long-island-guide.html |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=New York Times}} and The McGuire Sisters (opening act).{{cite web |last1=Drake |first1=David |title=The Cabaret Beat: A Collective Cy |url=https://playbill.com/article/the-cabaret-beat-a-collective-cy-com-135959 |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Playbill.com |publisher=Playbill}}

Directing cabaret, he has worked with Tovah Feldshuh,{{cite web |last1=Viagas |first1=Robert |title=Tovah Feldshuh Seeks to Prove Aging Is Optional in NYC and the Hamptons August 1–5 |url=https://playbill.com/article/tovah-feldshuh-seeks-to-prove-aging-is-optional-in-nyc-and-the-hamptons-august-15 |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Playbill.com |publisher=Playbill}} Rita Gardner,{{cite web |last1=Breyer-Grell |first1=Melody |date=4 September 2018 |title=A Conversation with Rita Gardner |url=https://cabaretscenes.org/2018/09/04/a-conversation-with-rita-gardner/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Cabaret Scenes}} Dawn Derow,{{cite web |last1=Dain |first1=Frank |date=3 December 2021 |title=A Conversation with Dawn Derow |url=https://cabaretscenes.org/2021/12/03/a-conversation-with-dawn-derow/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Cabaret Scenes}} Josephine Sanges,{{cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Alix |title=Josephine Sanges: How My Heart Sings |url=https://www.womanaroundtown.com/sections/playing-around/josephine-sanges-how-my-heart-sings/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Woman Around Town}} Renee Katz,{{cite web |last1=Mathis |first1=Winston |date=27 November 2024 |title=Renee Katz at Don't Tell Mama |url=https://nitelifeexchange.com/renee-katz-at-dont-tell-mama/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Nitelife Exchange |publisher=ScoBar Entertainment}} Margo Brown,{{cite web |last1=Chanin |first1=Myra |date=8 June 2018 |title=Margo Brown's Birthday Debut at Don't Tell Mama |url=https://theaterpizzazz.com/margo-browns-birthday-debut-at-dont-tell-mama/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Theater Pizzazz}} Judi Mark,{{cite web |last1=Lester |first1=Marilyn |date=28 September 2023 |title=Judi Mark Reprises "Merely Marvelous—The Songs of Gwen Verdon" on Wednesdays, October 4 and 11 at Don't Tell Mama |url=https://nitelifeexchange.com/judi-mark-reprises-merely-marvelous-the-songs-of-gwen-verdon-on-wednesdays-october-4-and-11-at-dont-tell-mama/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Nitelife Exchange |publisher=ScoBar Entertainment}} Anna Bergman,{{cite web |last1=Sander |first1=Roy |title=Anna Bergman |url=https://bistroaward.com/anna-bergman/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Bistro Awards}} Becca Kidwell,{{cite web |last1=Greenberg |first1=Bart |date=21 November 2023 |title=Becca Kidwell: If You Hadn't but You Did: Songs of Love, Sex and Murder |url=https://cabaretscenes.org/2023/11/21/becca-kidwell-if-you-hadnt-but-you-did-songs-of-love-sex-and-murder/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Cabaret Scenes}} and Ari Axelrod.{{cite web |last=Poretz |first=Andrew |date=2024-02-06 |title=A Stunning, Emotional Win for This Cabaret Star |url=https://theaterpizzazz.com/ari-axelrods-self-portrait-a-stunning-emotional-win-for-this-cabaret-star/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Theater Pizzazz}}

Reviewer Stephen Holden commented that while Harnar fit the mold of Robert Morse, the dearth of Broadway musical comedy roles led to Harnar's emulating Michael Feinstein instead.{{cite web |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=1989-10-06 |title=Review/Cabaret; A Jeff Harnar Evening Of Comden and Green |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/06/arts/review-cabaret-a-jeff-harnar-evening-of-comden-and-green.html |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=The New York Times}} In 1991, Holden observed Harnar's evolution from an overly emotive performance style to a more controlled manner with both comic and lyrical strengths.{{cite web |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=1991-02-22 |title=Critic's Choice |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/22/theater/critic-s-choice-755191.html |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=The New York Times}} When Harnar performed Vincente Minnelli's songs, Holden perceived Harnar's pop baritone as a "hybrid between Larry Kert and Johnny Mathis".{{cite web |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=1993-06-04 |title=Sounds Around Town |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/04/arts/sounds-around-town-724093.html |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=The New York Times}} In 2008, Holden added that Harnar and Cole Porter were a "perfect fit", while Harnar's earlier performance of Cy Coleman's songbook showed their stylistic differences.{{cite web |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=2008-05-31 |title=Jeff Harnar Basks in Cole Porter’s Anything-Goes World |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/31/arts/music/31harn.html |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=The New York Times}} In Harnar's 2013 show, Holden identified a tone of self-lacerating critique and a style of humor that was "lightly dusted with arsenic", versus Harnar's more chipper manner in decades past.{{cite web |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=2013-01-23 |title=Jeff Harnar Cabaret at Laurie Beechman Theater |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/24/arts/music/jeff-harnar-cabaret-at-laurie-beechman-theater.html |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=The New York Times}} Holden noted that Harnar's 2014 performance with KT Sullivan subverted gender roles, bending familiar songs to "reflect the era of same-sex marriage, gender fluidity and the dissolution of traditional roles".{{cite web |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=2014-07-10 |title=KT Sullivan and Jeff Harnar Reflect a New Era |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/11/arts/music/kt-sullivan-and-jeff-harnar-reflect-a-new-era.html |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=The New York Times}}

Regarding Harnar's performance of Sammy Cahn's songbook, Liza Minnelli reportedly said “I wish Sammy could have heard this; he would have loved it. I certainly did.”{{cite web |date=2025-01-09 |title=Jeff Harnar Sings Sammy Cahn, the Second Time Around |url=https://bocaratonobserver.com/events/jeff-harnar-sings-sammy-cahn-second-time-around/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=bocaratonobserver.com}}

Harnar has won MAC Awards (Manhattan Association of Cabarets) for best male vocalist, major male artist, celebrity artist, outstanding revue, major recording, and best director.{{cite web |title=MAC Awards - 1989 Year by Year |url=https://macnyc.com/awards/all-awards/?award-year=1989 |website=MACNYC.org |publisher=Manhattan Association of Cabarets |access-date=21 January 2025}}{{cite web |title=MAC Awards - 2018 Year by Year |url=https://macnyc.com/awards/all-awards/?award-year=2018 |website=MACNYC.org |publisher=Manhattan Association of Clubs and Cabarets |access-date=21 January 2025}}{{cite web |title=MAC Awards - 2023 Year by Year |url=https://macnyc.com/awards/all-awards/?award-year=2023 |website=MACNYC.org |publisher=Manhattan Association of Clubs and Cabarets |access-date=21 January 2025}}{{cite web |title=MAC Awards - 2016 Year by Year |url=https://macnyc.com/awards/all-awards/?award-year=2016 |website=MACNYC.org |publisher=Manhattan Association of Clubs and Cabarets |access-date=21 January 2025}}{{cite web |title=MAC Awards - 2024 Year by Year |url=https://macnyc.com/awards/all-awards/ |website=MACNYC.org |publisher=Manhattan Association of Clubs and Cabarets |access-date=21 January 2025}} He received Bistro Awards for best newcomer, best male vocalist, outstanding show, outstanding revue, and best director.{{cite web |last1=Eaker |first1=Sherry |title=Spotlight: Jeff Harnar, Appearing March 4 |url=https://bistroaward.com/spotlight-jeff-harnar-performing-march-4/ |website=Bistro Awards |access-date=21 January 2025}}{{cite web |title=Kelli Barrett, Molly Pope and Jarrod Spector Among Bistro Award Winners |url=https://playbill.com/article/kelli-barrett-molly-pope-and-jarrod-spector-among-bistro-award-winners-com-383863 |website=Playbill.com |publisher=Playbill |access-date=21 January 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Dain |first1=Frank |title=2018 Bistro Award Winners Announced! |url=https://cabaretscenes.org/2018/01/31/2018-bistro-award-winners-announced/ |website=Cabaret Scenes |date=31 January 2018 |access-date=21 January 2025}}

Harnar has won five BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards as a performer and two as a director.{{cite web |last1=BWW Awards |title=Winners Announced For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Winners-Announced-For-The-2022-BroadwayWorld-Cabaret-Awards-20230130 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |publisher=Wisdom Digital Media |access-date=21 January 2025}}{{cite web |title=Cabaret: It's De-Lovely {{!}} Jeff Harnar Sings Cole Porter |url=https://theeldredpreserve.com/entertainment/cabaret-its-de-lovely-jeff-harnar-sings-cole-porter/#:~:text=As%20a%20performer%2C%20he%20has,Chicago%20Cabaret%20Professionals%20National%20Honoree. |website=The Eldred Preserve |access-date=21 January 2025}} He was awarded the Mabel Mercer Foundation Mabel Mercer Award in 2022,{{cite web |title=Interview: Jeff Harnar celebrates his new album A Collective Cy at London's The Pheasantry |url=https://musicaltheatrereview.com/interview-jeff-harnar-celebrates-his-new-album-a-collective-cy-at-londons-the-pheasantry/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20Jeff%20released%20his,of%20three%20BroadwayWorld%20Cabaret%20Awards. |website=Musical Theatre Review |access-date=21 January 2025}} received the Donald F. Smith Award in 2015,{{cite web |title=Donald F. Smith Award, and the Noel Coward Cabaret Award in 2012. |url=https://www.mabelmercer.org/donald-f-smith-award |website=Mabel Mercer Foundation |access-date=21 January 2025}} and received the Noel Coward Cabaret Award in 2012.{{cite web |title=Noël Coward Cabaret Award |url=https://alpaca-sepia-8s2t.squarespace.com/noel-coward-cabaret-award |website=Mabel Mercer Foundation |access-date=21 January 2025}} He became the National Honoree of the Chicago Cabaret Professionals in 2022.{{cite web |title=Gala Honorees |url=https://www.chicagocabaret.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=748427&module_id=388821 |website=Chicago Cabaret Professionals |access-date=21 January 2025}}

• Jeff Harnar Sings Sammy Cahn: The Second Time Around (PS Classics 2024){{cite web |last1=Higgins |first1=Molly |title=Jeff Harnar is Revisiting Sammy Cahn With an Expanded Album and 54 Below Concerts |url=https://playbill.com/article/jeff-harnar-is-revisiting-sammy-cahn-with-an-expanded-album-and-54-below-concerts |website=Playbill.com |publisher=Playbill |access-date=27 July 2024}}
• A Collective Cy: Jeff Harnar Sings Cy Coleman (PS Classics, 2023){{cite web |title=A Collective Cy: Jeff Harnar Sings Cy Coleman |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4YmGeEjxaxVp6JzHb5t0sV |website=Spotify |access-date=16 May 2024}}
• I Know Things Now: My Life in Sondheim's Words (PS Classics, 2022){{cite web |title=I Know Things Now: My Life In Sondheim's Words |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1t8GNZNE8h7ljMCDp1ksSn |website=Spotify |access-date=16 May 2024}}
• Dancing In The Dark (PS Classics, 2005){{cite web |title=Dancing in the Dark |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/57jLlnDLlwoYkD47UjMMlY |website=Spotify |access-date=16 May 2024}}
• Sammy Cahn: All the Way (Jerome Records, 2001){{cite web |title=Sammy Cahn: All The Way |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/sammy-cahn-all-the-way-mw0000210609#releases |website=AllMusic |access-date=16 May 2024}}
• Because of You: Fifties Gold (Varèse Sarabande Records,1997){{cite web |title=Because of You (Fifties Gold) |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/044JHZ0qJXNl8rmXxgJUUH |website=Spotify |access-date=16 May 2024}}
• 1959 Broadway Songbook (Original Cast Records, 1991){{cite web |title=Jeff Harnar - Jeff Harnar Sings The 1959 Broadway Songbook |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/10876444-Jeff-Harnar-Jeff-Harnar-Sings-The-1959-Broadway-Songbook-Live-At-The-Algonquin |website=Discogs |date=1991 |access-date=16 May 2024}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.jeffharnar.com/ Jeff Harnar's home page]

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Category:American jazz singers

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Category:American male jazz musicians

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