The second installment of the unreleased recordings of Michael Kaye, a closer look at some of the highlights of the extensive post-band output of the vocalist, pianist, and keyboard player with Hap Snow’s Whirlwinds from 1960 to 1964. The music covered in this section includes pop, rock ‘n roll, and a musical recorded between 1963 and 2010.

In the early and mid-1970s, Michael Kaye played in a number of groups, including his own Michael Kaye Duo. Joey Andrade, the drummer for most of Kaye’s time with the Lou Jolli Trio, was an important musical partner in this period. Drummer and vocalist Gary Feldman also joined Kaye as part of the Michael Kaye Duo.

In 1974, the Michael Kaye Duo featuring Joey Andrade was recorded live at the Red Coach in Portland, Maine.

The Michael Kaye Duo feat Joey Andrade’s version of “Evil Ways” and “Make Me Smile / “Colour My World,” both written by James Pankow of Chicago, are on SoundCloud:

In 1977, Michael Kaye, Gary Feldman, and Gary Hicks performed “Nothing From Nothing” at the Manor Restaurant in Waterville, Maine.

The previous year the Michael Kaye Duo with Gary Feldman recorded “That’ll Be The Day” live at the Helm in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1976. This unreleased recording was included in the first part of this installment of unreleased music of Michael Kaye.

Michael Kaye, Gary Feldman, and Gary Hicks’ version of Billy Preston’s “Nothing From Nothing” is online:

Through the 1970s, Michael Kaye continued to develop a lounge act that he has been performing across the Northeast United States for several decades now.

In 1978, Michael Kaye arranged and performed the music on a a stage presentation of the musical Fiddler on the Roof.

A video for the show that includes some images from performances of Fiddler on the Roof as well as family photos is on YouTube.

The studio version of Michael Kaye “Fiddler On The Roof Medley,” mixed by Barry Kaye, is here:

Among Billy Joel songs Michael Kaye has covered are “New York State of Mind” and “Baby Grand.” The latter can be found on YouTube, part of a medley with Ray Charles’ “Georgia On My Mind.”

In 2009, Michael Kaye recorded “New York State of Mind,” with Pete Stefan.

Michael Kaye’s version of Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” featuring Pete Setfan on saxophone, is online:

The same year, Michael Kaye performed “Leader of the Band,” written by Dan Fogelberg. This solo production was recorded in a rehearsal at a home basement studio in northern Massachusetts.

A rehearsal of Michael Kaye’s “Leader of the Band” is here:

In 2010, Michael Kaye wrote “A Lullaby for Emily,” an original composition dedicated to his youngest grandchild. This unreleased multi-track home recording was mixed by Barry Kaye.

“A Lullaby for Emily,” composed and performed by Michael Kaye, is online:

A Pair of Original Compositions from Hap Snow’s Whirlwinds: “She” and “(Let’s Have) A Party Tonight”

Around 1963, Hap Snow’s Whirlwinds recorded “She,” an original song written by Steve James (Steve Fradkin). Players on this unreleased track include James on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Bill Elgart on drums, Michael Kaye on piano and vocals, and James K. “Hap” Snow on lead guitar and vocals.

“She,” along with “He Can Have Her” and “Whole Lot of Rockin’,” all original tunes penned by Steve Fradkin, were recorded around 1963 at the Massachusetts’ residence of Fradkin. The photos used in this video include Hap Snow on his first trip to Europe in 2012, exactly 50 years after this recording.

Hap Snow’s Whirlwinds’ “She” is on YouTube:

And a new video for Hap Snow’s Whirlwinds’ “(Let’s Have) A Party Tonight,” written by James K. “Hap” Snow, featuring Len Arnold (aka Leonard Hochman) on saxophone, Art Bearon on piano, and Snow on lead vocals and guitar. This unreleased demo was recorded at Ace Recording Studios in Boston, Massachusetts in 1960. The video uses family photos from the 1890s through May 2016.

Hap Snow’s Whirlwinds’ “(Let’s Have) A Party Tonight,” recorded in 1960 and recently remastered, is here: