Jack Gilford

b. Jacob Gellman, 25 July 1907, New York City, New York, USA, d. 2 June 1990, New York City, New York, USA. Born and raised in a tough section of the city, Gilford's Romanian-born mother reputedly supported her family as a bootlegger. In the 30s he worked as a comedian at vaudeville theatres and in New York clubs. Hired by Barney Josephson for his new and racially-integrated club, Café Society, Gilford appeared on opening night, 18 December 1938, sharing the bill with boogie woogie pianists Albert Ammons and Meade ‘Lux' Lewis and singer Billie Holiday. From the early 40s, he a...