Ronny Whyte obit

Ronny Whyte, Cabaret Singer Who Personified Elegance, Dies at 88

Like his friend and mentor Bobby Short, he exuded haute style while imbuing American standards with grace and wit.

 He was not on the list.

WHYTE--Ronny. Our dear friend, Ronny Whyte, died on August 19, 2025 at the age of 88. He was a superb jazz pianist, songwriter and wince-inducing joke teller. Ronny was a natty dresser with impeccable style. His smile and talent lit up the New York City jazz scene: Birdland, Jazz at The Kitano, Pangea, North Square while hosting and performing at St. Peter's Church Midday Jazz for over 14 years. Ronny received The Bistro Award's highest honor two years ago. We will miss our friendship of over 50 years. Now you will join "The Party Upstairs". Susan and Joel Mindel

Whyte lived in a log cabin his father built near Seattle for his first six years. On his way to the outsidehouse, he would often pet the beavers and deer. This is a far cry from Ronny’s world today. He is a renowned interpreter of Classic American Popular Song and an exceptional jazz pianist. He is also a successful songwriter. Marian McPartland featured him on Piano Jazz on NPR. Tony Bennett recorded his lyric Forget the Woman, which was an ASCAP Award winner. His music for The Party Upstairs won the MAC Award as Best Song of 2006. He hosts Midday Jazz Midtown, a weekly concert series at Saint Peter’s in Manhattan. Ronny was Off-Broadway for two years in the hit musical Our Sinatra. He also appeared on two national big band tours that visited more than 90 cities. Ronny was featured at New York’s JVC Jazz Festival twice and was inducted into Cabaret Jazz Hall of Fame. Ronny Whyte Trio performed at Carnegie/Weill Hall and New York’s Town Hall. They also performed at Washington’s Corcoran Gallery, Washington’s Town Hall, and the Mellon Jazz Festival, Philadelpha. Ronny has performed at Rainbow, Cafe Carlyle and Rainbow in New York.