Nat "King" Cole News

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College continues its 2015-16 season on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 8pm with Regina Carter's Southern Comfort.

Vocalist BJ Ward and pianist Simon Wallace return to London's The Crazy Coqs on March 21st 2016 at 8pm to perform the music of the late Marshall Barer.

On Saturday, March 19 at 9:00 p.m. in Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall presents Grammy Award-nominated pianist, composer, and NEA Jazz Master Randy Weston in a special one-night-only concert celebrating his 90th birthday and storied hallmark career. For this concert, Weston is joined by his African Rhythms band comprised of acclaimed musicians TK Blue (alto saxophone and flute), Cecil Bridgewater (trumpet), Alex Blake (bass), and Neil Clarke (African percussion).

Kalamazoo, MI -  One of the world's most versatile and best-loved singing groups, British vocal ensemble VOCES8, will make their Michigan debut on February 20, in a concert sponsored by the Kalamazoo Bach Festival Society and Kalamazoo Central High School. Touring extensively throughout Europe, North America and Asia, the ensemble performs a repertory from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary commissions and arrangements. 

Asolo Rep's Annual Gala 2016: Cabaret at The Tropicana, will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota. 

Kalamazoo, MI -  One of the world's most versatile and best-loved singing groups, British vocal ensemble VOCES8, will make their Michigan debut on February 20, in a concert sponsored by the Kalamazoo Bach Festival Society and Kalamazoo Central High School. Touring extensively throughout Europe, North America and Asia, the ensemble performs a repertory from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary commissions and arrangements. 

Oscar nominee Lee Daniels will be directing a documentary on Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater and is asking music fans to contribute visual or audio-visual material for the project. 

Diana Krall's deep smoky jazz fills Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall as she teams up with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra on the first Australian stop of her WALLFLOWER WORLD TOUR.

Renowned jazz musicians Ramsey Lewis and John Pizzarelli bring, 'Straighten Up and Fly Right,' a tribute performance to the legendary Nat King Cole, to Mayo Performing Arts Center on February 27, 2016 at 8 pm. Tickets are $39 - $79.

Chromolume Theatre announces PREZ, a World Premiere solo show written by playwright Willard Manus, for Black History Month. The story chronicles the unique life of jazzman Lester Young, featuring Leslie A. Jones. The drama is set to open February 5th, 2016, at Chromolume Theatre At The Attic. Tickets on sale now at: www.crtheatre.com

Hines has created a charismatic confection that incorporates vintage photos, bittersweet memories, enthusiastic tap dancing and a mega-talented all-female band.

MAURICE HINES TAPPIN' THRU LIFE is a swinging, song and dance musical that celebrates the astonishing showmanship of one of the last great tap dancers of a by-gone era still working today and whose collaborators were a jaw-dropping, who's who of theatre, music, film and television. Co-starring the fierce tap dancing Manzari brothers and the all female vivacious Diva Jazz Orchestra, the show is directed by Jeff Calhoun (Newsies, Deaf West's Big River, Grease). Performances began December 23rd at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street), and opening night is tonight, January 11th.

In celebration of Black History Month, actor/vocalist Richard Johnson will perform the premiere of his one man play, 'Pappy on Da Underground Railroad,' directed by Keith Allen, accompanied by musical director Terry Wallstein. Johnson is best known for his cabaret shows on the music of Nat King Cole and as a stylist of antique gospel music and Negro Spirituals. In the play-which ascends into soaring spiritual music-a 'conductor' the Underground Railroad educates and prepares a group of runaway slaves for their journey northward with him. He is met with the daunting challenge of selling freedom to men and women who don't believe freedom exists for them. Performances will be February 11 to 27 at Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street, Manhattan.

Festival General Director Nigel Redden announces the program for the 40th annual Spoleto Festival USA, taking place May 27 through June 12, 2016 in Charleston, South Carolina.

BroadwayWorld previously reported that Grammy Award-winner Natalie Cole passed away on December 31, 2015 from congestive heart failure at age 65. Below, BroadwayWorld pays tribute to the legendary singer in a special photo flashback!

David Campbell, one of Australia's foremost entertainers, who formerly served as the Adelaide Cabaret Festival's artistic director, has now issued a statement reflecting on the passing of Natalie Cole.

BroadwayWorld previously reported that Grammy Award-winner Natalie Cole passed away on December 31, 2015 from congestive heart failure at age 65. Now the Recording Academy has issued their own condolences.

BroadwayWorld has learned the sad news that Grammy Award-winner Natalie Cole has passed away. Having most recently appeared on Broadway in the musical revue AFTER MIDNIGHT in 2014, she died of congestive heart failure on December 31. She was 65.

He's been named "the next great male jazz singer" by NPR and your chance to see why is coming up: Omaha Performing Arts presents Gregory Porter on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 7:30 PM in Kiewit Hall at the Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. This performance is part of the 2015/16 Jazz Series sponsored by First National Bank. Special thanks to hospitality sponsor Hotel Deco.

He's going to put a smile on your face and song in your heart.