Aretha Franklin News

ABC announced today a new music series “Greatest Hits.” Each episode will highlight a five-year period celebrating the biggest hits from that time, hosted by Arsenio Hall and Kelsea Ballerini. Each week, iconic music artists, as well as today's music chart-toppers, will take the stage and perform the songs that defined the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. The six-episode series will feature special solo performances, never-before-seen duets and incredible tributes on “Greatest Hits,” premiering THURSDAY, JUNE 30 (9:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network.

BroadwayWorld is excited to report that the multi award-winning Broadway hit musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical will make its Australian premiere at a newly refurbished Sydney Lyric Theatre from September 2017.

A music icon, an unending world activist, an unselfish artist who introduced Bob Dylan to the world and focused awareness on the music of Woody Guthrie, Kris Kristofferson, Phil Ochs and others…Joan Baez.

Nearly 900 graduates from 68 countries received degrees today at Berklee's 2016 commencement. Berklee President Roger H. Brown presented honorary doctor of music degrees to music legends Rita Moreno, the Isley Brothers, Lucian Grainge, and Milton Nascimento. Moreno delivered the commencement address to the graduating class and an estimated audience of nearly 7,000 guests at the Agganis Arena. The annual commencement concert, held the previous evening at the Agganis Arena, featured some of the college's most accomplished students paying tribute to the honorees with performances of music associated with their careers.

Sony Classical proudly announces the release of LOVE & FRIENDSHIP (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) available digitally May 6 and on CD, May 13.

Sony Music Masterworks is pleased to announce a long-term worldwide recording agreement with star trumpeter Till Brnner.

The Houston Chamber Choir's 20th Anniversary season will reach its climactic finish in an evening of jazz with virtuoso bassist and five-time Grammy winner Christian McBride. The Christian McBride Trio including pianist Christian Sands, and drummer Ulysses Owens, Jr., will headline the concert where the centerpiece is a world premiere of McBride's groundbreaking work for jazz ensemble and choir. The concert takes place at the Cullen Theater in The Wortham Center on Sunday, May 22nd at 4:00pm.  

The New Stew is a 'super group' of a handful of fine musicians from all genres of music that features Corey Glover (Living Colour, Galactic) on vocals, Roosevelt Collier (The Lee Boys) on Lap Steel/ Pedal Steel, Yonrico Scott (Derek Trucks Band, Royal Southern Brotherhood) on percussion, Dave Yoke (Susan Tedeschi Band, Dr. John, Scrapomatic) on guitar, Jared Stone (Stone's Stew) on drums, and Matt Slocum (Oteil and the Peacemakers, Col. Bruce Hampton & Aquarium Rescue Unit, The Lee Boys) on piano.

Ardea Arts announces BOUNCE The Basketball Opera, their latest project in development. Showcase performances will take place at Paerdegat Park in East Flatbush, Brooklyn Saturday-Monday June 25-27, 2016 at 6pm.

Today, Belgian's Selah Sue reveals a striking new video for 'Reason', the title song of her upcoming album, via FADER HERE. The video director Tim Erem created Rihanna's 'Work' and Major Lazer's 'Lean On' video's as well.

Untitled Theatricals announced today that Academy Award, Golden Globe Award & BAFTA winner and UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace & Reconciliation, Forest Whitaker (Broadway's Hughie) will host the Performers4Peace benefit concert Monday, May 9, 2016 at 8pm at 42West (514 West 42nd Street www.42west.com), featuring performances by Broadway artists to support the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative's work in peace and community building.

Jennifer Saran is a North American alt-pop/adult contemporary artist, songwriter and vocalist based in Hong Kong. Her new full-length album Walk With Me was recorded and produced entirely at Tarpan Studios in San Rafael, California

For Blue Note Hawaii, the state's premier venue for the world's most celebrated artists, May begins with a bang with a music legend - Queen of Funk Chaka Khan Mother's Day week, followed up with guitar virtuoso Stanley Jordan, saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and ground breaking acoustic guitarist Andy McKee in a series with local ukulele show openers Kalei Gamiao and Taimane Gardner, culminating with Christopher Cross. May also brings and a host of local talent including Willie K, Mike Lewis, Robert Cazimero, the Hawaii Jazz All-Stars, the Honolulu Jazz Quartet and a Mele Mei Celebration with Henry Kapono and Friends. Blue Note Hawaii also continues Gospel Brunch every Sunday with a 1:00 p.m. showtime, with doors opening at 11:00 a.m.

A re-imagined version of the 1921 musical SHUFFLE ALONG, one of the earliest stage hits starring, written and directed by African-Americans, opens tonight, April 28, on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre. SHUFFLE ALONG has a new book and is directed by George C. Wolfe, choreographed by Savion Glover. Scroll down to learn more about the company, plus watch SUNDAY MORNING's recent behind-the-scenes look at the show!

? Bergen Performing Arts Center located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey presents Dr. John-Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 8PM. Purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com or Box Office at 201.227.1030. 

McCarter Theatre Center is pleased to announce an eclectic mix of presented programming in the month of May. In addition to the previously announced concerts by Amos Lee, Dark Star Orchestra, and Todd Rundgren, McCarter Theatre Center will also be hosting performances from Alan Cumming, Art Garfunkel, the rescheduled concert by bass-baritone Eric Owens, and Dance Theatre of Harlem.

SJ Presents, announces that R&B super group, New Edition and multi-platinum hit-maker Babyface will be coming to the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut Thursday, July 7 at 8:00 p.m. See New England's biggest R&B band perform their platinum plus hits 'Candy Girl' to 'Can You Stand the Rain' along with Babyface who not only produced mega hits for many superstars but sold millions of records with hits 'Whip Appeal' to 'We've Got Love' and so much more. Summer just got hotter with the New Edition and Babyface concert that will undeniably keep the crowd fully entertained performing one chart-topper after the other. Be sure to reserve tickets on Friday, April 29th at 10am at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800.745.3000 and at the Webster Bank Arena Click It or Ticket Box Office located at 600 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT.

After two successful EPs, Broadway veteran Matt Doyle has released his first full-length album, Uncontrolled. Doyle successfully crowd-funded the album on Kickstarter, and his passion for the material shines on every track. For fans of his EPs, the pop tonality emanating from Will Van Dyke's skillful arrangements will be familiar. For those listening to Matt Doyle for the first time, this aural landscape is inviting and addictive.

Berklee President Roger H. Brown will present Rita Moreno, Ronald and Ernie Isley, Lucian Grainge, and Milton Nascimento with honorary doctor of music degrees at Berklee's commencement ceremony, Saturday, May 7

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is offering a limited number of seats to see the Queen of Soul - ARETHA FRANKLIN on Thursday, June 16th at 7:30pm at a special price of $49.00 for the concert-only portion of the Musical Moments for Multiple Sclerosis Gala.