Patti Austin & John Legend to be Inducted into Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame
Versatile vocalist/entertainer Patti Austin, and critically-acclaimed recording artist John Legend will be inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame at this year's Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl, Saturday, June 22, at 8 pm. The two join previously announced inductees for this year, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of iconic rock band AEROSMITH.
A mainstay on the Billboard charts, Patti Austin has 19 solo albums to her credit and has performed her award-nominated hit songs on both the Grammys and the Oscars. The gifted songwriter and performer's early solo career resulted in the chart-topping, Grammy-nominated hit "Baby Come to Me," a now classic duet with James Ingram; the R&B smash, "The Heat of Heat," and the Oscar-nominated, "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" A later stint at GRP Records produced 1991's Carry On, followed by Love isGonna Getcha (featuring the across the board hit "Through the Test of Time"), That Secret Place, andPatti Austin Live (recorded at New York's Bottom Line), which showcased her amazing standup comedic skills and brilliant impersonations. She recently showed off her range in the R&B/Pop/Gospel-styled 2011 release titled Sound Advice and later this year will release her vocal tribute to Duke Ellington, The Excellence of Ellington. She also continues her commitment to social issues through her work to end domestic violence and gives countless hours to her mentoring work through The Over My Shoulder Foundationâ, which she cofounded. Austin first performed at the Bowl in July of 1991, and most recently appeared at the venue as part of the LA Phil's Jazz at the Bowl series in 2012.
John Legend is a nine-time Grammy-winning recording artist, critically-acclaimed concert performer, and philanthropist/social activist, and was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people. Legend's debut album, Get Lifted (2004) sold more than three million copies worldwide and earned an astounding eight Grammy nominations with three wins for Best New Artist, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B album. In 2007, Legend launched the Show Me Campaign, a nonprofit organization fighting poverty around the world. He also sits on the Boards of The Education Equality Project, Teach for America, and the Harlem Village Academies. Legend has been honored several times for his activism, including the 2010 BET Humanitarian of the Year award, the 2009 CARE Humanitarian Award for Global Change, and the 2009 Africare's Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award. Legend has recently completed his new album, Love in the Future, (set for a late-Summer 2013 release) with executive producers Kanye West and Dave Tozer, and will embark on an international tour beginning July 2013. Legend first appeared at the Hollywood Bowl in June of 2006, and last summer appeared on the Bowl stage for a surprise duet with Kelly Clarkson.
Following their inductions during Opening Night at the Bowl, each of this season's inductees will perform with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, led by Thomas Wilkins. Other special guests are to be announced.
Proceeds from the evening benefit the LA Phil and its education programs, which reach more than 120,000 children, teachers and adults every year.
Established in 2000, the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame identifies and pays tribute to artists whose unique achievements embody the spirit of the world-renowned Hollywood Bowl. The Hall of Fame is now part of an exhibit on the main floor of the Hollywood Bowl Museum that includes photos and film of inductees over the years. The "Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame" was conceived on behalf of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association by Wayne Baruch and Charles F. Gayton, who have created and produced all of the Hall of Fame opening concerts.
Patron packages for this annual benefit concert include a VIP pre-concert reception at 5 p.m., followed by a gourmet dinner prepared by Patina and served in guest boxes prior to the concert. Proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Philharmonic and its education programs. Opening Night Concert packages ($2,300 to $15,750) may be purchased through the LA Phil's Special Events office. Please call 213.972.3051 for details and reservations. Tickets for the concert only ($12 - $130), which begins at 8 p.m., are on sale online at HollywoodBowl.com, at the Hollywood Bowl box office, through Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000, and by credit card phone order at 323.850.2000.
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