Devra Hall Levy, author of books including “Men, Women, and Girl Singers” (a jazz biography), also writes magazine profiles, features, book reviews, and liner notes for musical recordings. “Here’s To Life” is her first play.
Back in the day (1980s), Devra was a frequent contributor to Billboard magazine. She soon became a prolific chronicler of jazz luminaries. In addition to her work on the printed page that includes liner notes for recordings by Oscar Peterson, Joe Williams, and Jim Hall, among others, she is a writer and music/talent coordinator of television programs and jazz videos. Her television and video credits include: talent coordinator for “Red, Hot & Cool,” a nationally syndicated television show hosted by Nancy Wilson; musical coordinator for the “George Shearing: Lullaby of Birdland” and “Joe Williams: A Song Is Born” videos produced live at the Paul Mason Winery; and writer for “Jim Hall: A Life In Progress,” a documentary produced by Rhapsody Films.
A veteran music industry professional, Devra’s love of music was encouraged by musical parents (her father is the revered jazz guitarist Jim Hall, her mother is a songwriter). She studied classical and jazz piano privately, then continued her studies at the Westchester and New England Conservatories where she studied jazz and orchestration.
Devra diverse background includes producing and hosting a half-hour jazz radio program for the American Radio Network; working in the President’s office of the American Federation of Musicians; managing touring artists; coordinating talent for numerous music festival and benefit concerts; and publicizing jazz stars and events.
Having retired from her own publicity company with a roster that included Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Carmen McRae, Thad Jones, and Ramsey Lewis, among others, Devra now devotes her time to writing books, plays and documentaries, especially projects that document the rich jazz legacy that she knows so well and loves.