By Anthony O’Reilly
It’s been a very good 95 years for Ervin Drake.
The Great Neck resident and legendary song writer turned 95 on April 3 and on Friday was honored at the Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington, where current and former Broadway and cabaret singers performed some of Drake’s work throughout the night.
Sixteen singers took the stage to sing songs such as “Quando, Quando, Quando” “A Room Without Windows” “I Believe” “Good Morning Heartache” and “It Was a Very Good Year,” which was made famous by Frank Sinatra.
“It was great. I loved it,” Drake said on Friday. “Everybody is fantastic.”
The event was sponsored by the Gold Coast Arts Center in Great Neck. The center’s associate director Caroline Sorokoff said she reached out to the Landmark as a way to honor Drake’s achievements.
“We said let’s get together and put on this event and say happy birthday,” she said. “And also to make people aware of one of the musical geniuses that live in our region.”
The two art center’s have worked together on other events, including the annual Gold Coast Film Festival, Sorokoff said.
The night was emceed by former actor and political pundit Charles Grodin, who said he’s been a friend of Drake’s for 50 years.
“I’ve known a lot of people in my time. But I’ve never been in the presence of a genius,” Grodin said.
Grodin also roasted Drake and several of the performers on stage during the night’s two hour performance.
“Are you sure you’re not on LSD or something,” Grodin said to Drake after former Broadway singer Sidney Myer performed “I Wuv a Wabbit.”
Other performers included Eric Yves Garcia, Sal Vivano, Leslie Uggams, John Gabriel and T. Oliver Reid.
Steve Ross, who performed “Just For Today” said he was proud to be among “veterans and newcomers.”
“It just got better and better as the night went on,” he said.
Ross also praised the night’s musical director and jazz pianist Jon Weber.
“Jon really is one of the best guys in town,” Ross said.
Drake’s wife, Edith, also praised Weber’s efforts.
“It was so well organized,” she said.
At the end of the night Drake got on stage with the performers and led them in singing “I Believe.”
“I hope you all enjoyed yourself as much as we did,” Drake said at the conclusion of the song.
