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Draft:Joan Javits Zeeman

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Joan Javits Zeeman (born August 17, 1928) is an American songwriter and author. She co-wrote the Christmas classic Santa Baby with Philip Springer and wrote the lyrics for the 1961 children’s musical Young Abe Lincoln.

Early life and education

Zeeman was born on August 17, 1928, in New York City to Benjamin Abraham and Lily (Braxton) Javits. She is the niece of Senator Jacob Javits. She pursued her higher education at Vassar College, earning a Bachelor's degree in 1949.[1] She furthered her studies with a Master of Education from the University of Vermont in 1976.[2]

Career

Javits began her career as a public relations executive for Benjamin Sonnenberg in New York City from 1949 to 1951. She then transitioned into freelance writing in 1952 and became involved in music and theater.

The collaboration between Joan Javits and Philip Springer led to the creation of the 1953 Christmas song Santa Baby, written for Eartha Kitt, a Broadway star and singer.[3][4] "Santa Baby" has since been covered by a large number of major recording artists, including Cher, Madonna, Michael Buble, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Gwen Stefani, Kellie Pickler, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams (2019), R.E.M, and in 2016, by Garth Brooks and his wife Trisha Yearwood (featured on their Christmas duets album).[5][6] In 2018 Rob LeDonne from Billboard called "Santa Baby" one of the "most recognizable non-traditional yuletide recordings" in a piece commemorating its 65th anniversary.[7]

The duo also wrote Kitt's 1954 single "Lovin' Spree". In that same year they signed a contract Joy Music.[8]

Javits wrote the lyrics for the 1961 Broadway children’s musical [9]Young Abe Lincoln.[10] Milton Esterow of The New York Times described the songs as "delightful".[11][10][12]

With Lois Wyse, Javits co-authored the 1966 book The Complete Child about etiquette and manners for children.[1][13][14]

In 2001, Javits and Springer collaborated on the song "Flight 93." Springer, then living in New York, wrote the melody just after the September 11 attacks, and asked Javits to write the lyrics. They planned to donate any proceeds from the song to the memorial fund for the families of victims of United Airlines Flight 93. [15]

Personal life

Joan Javits married John Huibert Zeeman III on March 20, 1954 with whom she has five children.[1] She was as a trustee for the Professional Children's School in New York City[citation needed] and was a board member for the Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation.[16]

References

  1. ^ a b c Taub, Ruth R. (1966-12-09). "Author Joan Zeeman A Talented 'Dynamo'". The Reporter Dispatch. p. 22. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  2. ^ "Graduate Degrees Awarded At University Of Vermont Commenncement". The Times Argus. 1976-06-02. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  3. ^ Rawls, Alex (2022-12-25). "Eartha Kitt's Other Christmas Songs Will Make You See 'Santa Baby' in a Totally New Way". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  4. ^ Cooper Noble, Paulette. "Palm Beach pets: Writer of 'Santa Baby' recalls how Foxy Lady came into her life". Palm Beach Daily News.
  5. ^ "'Santa Baby' at 65: Songwriter Philip Springer on the History of His Christmas Classic". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  6. ^ "'Santa Baby' composer Phil Springer, 91, still can't figure out why his sexy Christmas song endures". Los Angeles Times. 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  7. ^ LeDonne, Rob (December 13, 2018). "'Santa Baby' at 65: Songwriter Philip Springer on the History of His Christmas Classic". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 18, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  8. ^ "Joy Music's Excl. Longterm Pact On Javits-Springer". Variety. July 7, 1954.
  9. ^ https://playbill.com/production/the-young-abe-lincoln-eugene-oneill-theatre-vault-0000004739
  10. ^ a b Dietz, Dan (2014-04-10). The Complete Book of 1960s Broadway Musicals. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 70–71. ISBN 978-1-4422-3072-9.
  11. ^ Esterow, Milton (1961-04-26). "'Young Abe Lincoln,' Musical for Children, Reaches Broadway". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  12. ^ "Young Abe Lincoln". Variety. April 5, 1961. p. 100.
  13. ^ "The Complete Child". The Sacramento Bee. 1966-11-27. p. 148. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  14. ^ Honig, Ann (1966-11-07). "Book Explains Credit Cards, Manners". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. p. 2. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  15. ^ TANASYCHUK, J. (2002 Aug 26). GOOD LIFE: [BROWARD METRO EDITION]. South Florida Sun - Sentinel
  16. ^ Kent, Cindy (2015-02-12). "People on the Move: Boca chamber announces winners of young entrepreneur elevator pitch contest". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  • Zaleski, A. (2023). This Is Christmas, Song by Song: The Stories Behind 100 Page 1934. Running Press Adult.
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