Stanley Paul Papers

Stanley Paul has been Chicago’s favorite society bandleader and pianist ever since he came to town in 1964, to play music at the Pump Room of the Ambassador East Hotel at State and Goethe Streets. Born in 1938 in Pennsylvania, Mr. Paul’s musical talent was evident at a young age, when he could skillfully play the piano in his family’s home. He was an honor student at Penn State University, then after graduation in 1960 moved to New York City. In both New York and Chicago, he met, worked with, and/or performed for many show-business legends, including Bette Davis, Judy Garland, Ethel Merman, Fred Astaire, Jimmy Durante, Peggy Lee, Cab Calloway, Ethel Waters, Carol Channing, Liberace, Joan Crawford, Bette Midler, Pearl Bailey, Phillis Diller, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Sophie Tucker. In 1972 Mr. Paul shifted the emphasis of his career from the Pump Room to private bookings, including parties, weddings and other gatherings.

In addition to performing, Mr. Paul is well known for his interest in art deco and his appreciation of fashion. His homes have been featured in photo shoots and newspaper articles and his house parties are well known in the socialite circles of Chicago. In addition to frequently modeling and hosting fashion events, Mr. Paul founded the Stanley Paul-Raelene Mittelman Scholarship in 1990 in honor of his sister, Raelene Mittelman. The scholarship is awarded to fashion-design students in the Chicago area.