Billie Holiday News

Diana Ross has had a profound influence on American popular culture and has become an icon in the entertainment industry. She will return to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on September 11, 2013. She is an Academy Award nominated actress for her unforgettable role as Billie Holiday in Lady Sings The Blues, a Tony and Golden Globe winner, a bestselling author, winner of 8 American Music Awards and a recipient of The Kennedy Center Honors. Her reputation as a woman of great style and beauty has put her on the covers of hundreds of magazines. Ms. Ross has sold over 100 million records and recorded 18 #1 hits. Her music became the sound of young America in the '60s soon after she signed with Motown Records in 1961 with The Supremes. She embarked on her extraordinary solo career in 1970, and has not stopped since.

Billie Holiday and saxophonist Lester Young recorded such achingly beautiful music together it was impossible for many to believe that they were not lovers….or were they? This magical and moving play explores their enigmatic relationship through some of their own words and the stunning songs they chose to record together. We follow their journey through jazz from the moment they first met until their untimely deaths. Friends? Soul-mates? Lovers? The answer is in their music.

Award-winning blues rock star and guitar hero Joe Bonamassa will return to Detroit's Fox Theatre for an intimate 'Evening with' performance tonight, May 3 at 8 p.m. The one-night-only show is in support of his brand new solo album, Driving Towards The Daylight, which made its debut at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, the eighth time a Bonamassa album has debuted at #1.

With a voice like whiskey and a laugh like pure joy, Janis Joplin took the music scene by storm. Simultaneously rough and vulnerable, Joplin was dubbed the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll, proving music wasn't just a man's world anymore. Now, in a new musical event featuring more than a dozen singers and band members, playwright-director Randy Johnson creates 'a compelling portrait of an artist' (Culturemob) through the words, inspiration and music of one of America's greatest rock 'n' roll originals. One Night With Janis Joplin is a full-on concert experience and musical journey into the life and inspirations of one of rock 'n' roll's greatest legends and it runs in The Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse from tonight, May 3 - June 2, 2013 and opens on Monday, May 6, 2013. Packed with classic songs ('Piece Of My Heart,' 'Summertime,' 'Mercedes Benz'), One Night With Janis Joplin also shines the spotlight on trailblazers who influenced Janis - like Bessie Smith, Etta James and Aretha Franklin.

After a surprising results last week, four contestants still remain. This week the ladies will be singing song from now and then. The first round will be songs from 2013 while the second will be standards. The mentor was Harry Connick Jr.

Art of Time Ensemble closes their 2012/13 season on a high note, welcoming world renowned jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux to the Enwave Theatre stage on May 31 and June 1. In Songbook 7, Peyroux steps outside her comfort zone to perform twelve handpicked songs from her favourite artists, including Billy Joel, Elvis Presley and George and Ira Gershwin. Due to the popularity of the concert, a new block of tickets for the almost sold-out performances was released Tuesday, April 30.

Sony Masterworks releases Gloria Estefan's The Standards on September 10, 2013. Celebrating great tunes from the American Songbook, The Standards reaches out to Estefan's global fan base via international song classics sung in English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and French, some with new lyrics written by Estefan herself. The album also features collaborations with world class, award-winning artists like singer songwriter Laura Pausini, violinist Joshua Bell and saxophonist Dave Koz.

With a voice like whiskey and a laugh like pure joy, Janis Joplin took the music scene by storm. Simultaneously rough and vulnerable, Joplin was dubbed the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll, proving music wasn't just a man's world anymore. Now, in a new musical event featuring more than a dozen singers and band members, playwright-director Randy Johnson creates 'a compelling portrait of an artist' (Culturemob) through the words, inspiration and music of one of America's greatest rock 'n' roll originals. One Night With Janis Joplin is a full-on concert experience and musical journey into the life and inspirations of one of rock 'n' roll's greatest legends and it runs in The Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse from May 3 - June 2, 2013 and opens on Monday, May 6, 2013. Packed with classic songs ('Piece Of My Heart,' 'Summertime,' 'Mercedes Benz'), One Night With Janis Joplin also shines the spotlight on trailblazers who influenced Janis - like Bessie Smith, Etta James and Aretha Franklin.

The one and only DIANA ROSS will be making summer nights red hot as she returns to the Mortensen stage at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, August 13, 2013, at 8:00 p.m. The legendary icon will perform her greatest hits in a multi-city spectacular live show. Ms. Ross will be pulling out all the stops with breathtaking costumes and stage designs.

Monterey Jazz Festival, world-renowned for its artistic excellence, sophisticated informality, and longstanding mission to create and support year-round jazz education and performance programs in local, regional, national, and international venues, continues this commitment in 2013 with its third North American Tour, featuring critically-acclaimed, GRAMMY-winning jazz artists.

As part of its 40th Anniversary year, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) unveils the 2013 edition of the annual River To River Festival, Downtown's completely free summer arts festival. This year's edition takes place June 15-July 14 and presents a diverse collection of music, dance, theater, visual art, film and unique participatory experiences by both renowned and breakout artists from New York City and beyond.

The one and only Diana Ross will be making summer nights red hot as she returns to the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) on Sunday, August 11, 2013 at 7P.

Sandy Brown performer/Producer/playwright of 'Oh, Yes She Did!' Celebrates over 100 performances at Theatre-Theater. 'Oh, Yes She Did' is a theatrical ride, a 2-Hour tour-de-force where Sandy Brown morphs into legendary black women who changed the course of American History including Billie Holiday, Josephine Baker, Angela Davis and more.

Texas born and bred singer William Blake--who came to New York six years ago at age 24--has lately taken the town by storm with his terrific tribute show to the legendary Etta James. In the process, Blake has also managed to transform some of the town's most prestigious nightclub/cabaret venues into his own personal concert halls. First it was at Birdland, where in the summer of 2012 and with the support of 'Cast Party' impresario Jim Caruso, Blake launched his Echoes of Etta raucous, standing-room only crowds. Then last February, Blake, his five piece band and three girl backup singers, overpowered Joe's Pub. But the last two nights might have been Blake's most impressive performances to date, as he totally captured the crowd at the elegant and sedate Cafe Carlyle (for the room's new 10:45 'Second Act' sets). It was almost as if you were experiencing an R & B concert at Carnegie Hall.

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, tonight, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. Directed by Porchlight Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck (reuniting with Weber for the first time since their collaboration on Porchlight's triumphant production of Assassins) and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, Pal Joey stars Adrian Aguliar, 'Joey Evans,' Susie McMonagle, 'Vera Simpson,' Laura Savage, 'Linda English,' Matt Orlando, 'Ludlow Lowell' and Sharriese Hamilton, 'Gladys Bumps.'

LA-based singer-songwriter Beth Hart, known for her raw and powerful blues-rock sound, wraps her expressive vocals around classic soul covers on 'Seesaw', the second album that grew out of her musical ties with the acclaimed blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa. The album is released on Deluxe CD+DVD and Double Vinyl in the UK/Europe on Monday 20th May by Provogue Records (followed by US release on Tuesday 21st May).

Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein have announced the spring lineup - featuring legendary stars of stage and cinema - for the all-new Feinstein's at the Nikko. Located within Hotel Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco), Feinstein's at the Nikko will present a wide range of local, regional and national entertainers in an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. Tickets for all performances are on-sale now and available by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

LA-based singer-songwriter Beth Hart, known for her raw and powerful blues-rock sound, wraps her expressive vocals around classic soul covers on “Seesaw”, the second album that grew out of her musical ties with the acclaimed blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa.

Gary Naylor sees a true legend of music brought to life, in all her glory and horror.

Actress, singer and writer Nina Kristofferson brings her one woman show 'The Billie Holiday Story' to the Charing Cross Theatre tonight, 1 April 2013 for a strictly limited 8 week run. This London engagement follows a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival in 2011, and a tour of the UK in 2012, which attracted critical and public acclaim.