Mitch Avery, 85, crooner

Mack H. Brooker Jr., 85, who as Mitch Avery played a stylish piano and crooned in area nightspots for decades, died of heart failure April 28 at Hahnemann University Hospital.

Known as "the Bobby Short of Philadelphia," Mr. Avery entertained generations of diners. He had longtime gigs at the White Dog Cafe in University City, Baron's Inn in King of Prussia, and the former Hershey Hotel. Until a few years ago, he was playing at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Center City. He also performed in Avalon, N.J., and Cape May and at Atlantic City casinos.

"Avery sets a mellow mood. His piano playing is stylish, and the voice has that soothing quality somewhat reminiscent of the late Nat King Cole," Inquirer entertainment reporter Jack Lloyd wrote in 1973.

Mr. Avery, who told Lloyd that he could play a couple of hundred songs "just off the top of my head," was playing at H.A. Winston & Co. in Society Hill at the time. He had returned to his hometown after the restaurant's owner, Herb Spivak, saw him perform in Chicago and offered him a job.

Mr. Avery's signature song was "Take the A Train." Another favorite was "As Time Goes By," said a granddaughter, Paula Cunningham.

"He would take a common song and add his own twist. He was always impeccably dressed, the classiest guy in the place," she said.

"Mitch was a model for young artists today. He had what it takes to succeed in business," said Gerry Glasgow, Mr. Avery's longtime agent. "He had a wonderful voice and a very pleasant personality. His tagline after each set was, 'Thank you, music lovers.' "

The son of a minister, Mr. Avery and his six siblings were raised on gospel music. He graduated from South Philadelphia High School and studied music at Temple University and the Combs College of Music.

During World War II, he served in the Army Air Force, entertaining troops at bases across the country.

Mr. Avery and his wife of 42 years, Myrtle Brooker, lived in Southwest Philadelphia. He is also survived by a son, Michael; daughters Denise and Maria; three brothers; a sister; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. tomorrow at First African Baptist Church, 1608 Christian St. Donations may be made to the Jonathan Phillip Ford Memorial Foundation, 438 Woodlawn St., Philadelphia 19144, to fund a music scholarship in Mr. Avery's name.