Patti Austin News

Grammy and Oscar award-winning vocalist ?Patti Austin returns to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for a performance devoted to the brilliance of Washington, DC native Duke Ellington and 'The First Lady of Song,' Ella Fitzgerald, Thursday, February 19 at 8 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore, and Friday, February 20 at 8 p.m. Saturday, February 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 22 at 3 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

This special Bainbride Symphony Orchestra program is one of celebration, community, and the American spirit. Through the generous support of the Fletcher Bay Foundation the BSO showcases its brand new set of timpani in American composer Michael Daugherty's thrilling concerto, Raise the Roof! performed by Gunnar Folsom. Kevin Puts won the Pulitzer Prize in 2010, and his work for orchestra, Millennium Canons, has its BSO debut in this winter concert, which also features the Introduction to Also sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss, Down a Country Lane and Variations on a Shaker Melody by Aaron Copland, and Antonín Dvo?ák's American Suite, op. 98b. Closing the performance in grand fashion is Beethoven's Chorale Fantasy featuring the BSO, Mark Salman on piano, and the Amabile Choir with Director Anne Pell. Singing of strength, unity and joy this masterpiece is the perfect end to this unique program.

Stage, television and film chaunteuse Nita Whitaker brings a very special holiday show to the COPA Palm Springs for one night only - December 20 at 8:00 pm. The former Miss Louisiana and Hall of Fame Star Search Grand Champion Winner has shared the stage with the likes of Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bolton, Patti Austin, Broadway legend Ben Vereen, Josh Groban, Michael Buble' and Chris Botti, to name a few. She recently penned her first award winning memoir titled, 'Finding My Voice: My Journey through Grief to Grace' and produced her newest CD release just in time for the holidays. I had the chance to chat with Ms. Whitaker as she was preparing for her holiday concert at The Copa. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

Richmond, Virginia Kick off the holidays with the sounds of the season! Join the Richmond Symphony and Richmond Symphony Chorus, tonight, December 6 at 8:00pm and Sunday, December 7 at 3:00pm, at the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage for a winter wonderland of music led by conductor Erin Freeman.

November 17, 2014 – Richmond, Virginia Kick off the holidays with the sounds of the season! Join the Richmond Symphony and Richmond Symphony Chorus, on Saturday, December 6 at 8:00pm and Sunday, December 7 at 3:00pm, at the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage for a winter wonderland of music led by conductor Erin Freeman. Hear the symphony play holiday favorites such as Carol of the Bells, Sleigh Ride and Frosty the Snowman during this much loved annual concert. It's the perfect event to include in your RVA holiday tradition!

With his unique vocal style, Grammy Award-winning Al Jarreau is one of the world's musical treasures. This special concert at Smothers Theatre in Malibu at 8 p.m. on Monday, December 15, showcases his warm, inimitable voice interpreting favorite holiday classics, as well as some of his biggest hits.

Much to the excitement of European music fans, bass legend Jeff Berlin will be touring Europe with his trio beginning mid-October!

Two-time Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey took the stage last night in front of a sold out crowd at The Harman Center in Washington D.C. for a benefit supporting his Kevin Spacey Foundation, an organization which enables the creation of new work via grants, designs education opportunities through learning, and offers free university places via scholarships. The event was chaired by business leader/philanthropist Adrienne Arsht, along with honorary co-chairs Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA 23rd District, House Majority Leader) and Steny Hoyer (D-MD 5th District, House Minority Whip).

Two-time Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey took the stage last night in front of a sold out crowd at The Harman Center in Washington D.C. for a benefit supporting his Kevin Spacey Foundation, an organization which enables the creation of new work via grants, designs education opportunities through learning, and offers free university places via scholarships. The event was chaired by business leader/philanthropist Adrienne Arsht, along with honorary co-chairs Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA 23rd District, House Majority Leader) and Steny Hoyer (D-MD 5th District, House Minority Whip).

GEORGIA ON MY MIND: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles was welcomed by The Venetian Las Vegas with a star-studded event coinciding with the birthday of Ray Charles. The groundbreaking new show features a host of esteemed stars including Emmy award-winner Clint Holmes, 10-time GRAMMY award-winning vocal group TAKE 6, six-time GRAMMY nominee and DownBeat artist of the year Nnenna Freelon, and Stella Gospel Award and GRAMMY award-winning saxophone star Kirk Whalum. The show also features the Las Vegas Mass Choir, under the direction of James R. Smith and Edie Aikels, and features the Las Vegas All-Star Big Band, under the direction of pianist and conductor, David Loeb. Scroll down for photos from the opening!

New York City Center's 11th annual Fall for Dance Festival will feature free performances in Central Park and 24 acclaimed dance companies and artists from around the world, in six unique programs in September and October 2014. In keeping with the Festival's commitment to make dance accessible to everyone, the Festival will kick off with two FREE evenings of dance at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, in association with The Public Theater, today and tomorrow, September 12 and 13 (rain date, September 14) and will continue at City Center from October 8 - October 19 with all tickets at $15. The Festival's many free pre-show events will include dance lessons and panels by choreographers, artists and dance educators. Tickets will go on sale Sunday, September 14 at 11 a.m.

Michael Feinstein and the Pasadena POPS announce the final concert of the summer with a thrilling selection of music with New York New York! tonight, September 6 at the LA Arboretum.

Michael Feinstein and the Pasadena POPS announce the final concert of the summer with a thrilling selection of music with New York New York! on September 6 at the LA Arboretum. Grammy Award winner and multi-platinum recording artist Patti Austin, Liz Callaway (Anastasia & Cats) and Aaron Tveit (2012 film Les Miserables, Graceland, and Catch Me If You Can) capture the snap swagger and energy of the iconic city with Leonard Bernstein's Candide, On the Town, West Side Story and Wonderful Town; Duke Ellington's "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," "Don't Mean a Thing," "Im Beginning to See the Light," "Satin Doll," "Take the A Train," plus gems by Stephen Sondheim ("Broadway Baby" & "What More Do I Need"), Cole Porter ("I Happen to Like New York") and more.

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Larry Rosen Productions (LRP), and Concord Music Group announce a landmark agreement to provide an exclusive recording contract offer to record and release an album on Concord Records to the winner of the 2014 Sarah Vaughan International jazz Vocal Competition, now known as the SASSY awards.

New York City Center's 11th annual Fall for Dance Festival will feature free performances in Central Park and 24 acclaimed dance companies and artists from around the world, in six unique programs in September and October 2014.

Dom Tufaro and Singer/Songwriter Lea Lorien, both represented by Nene Musik Llc., collaborate on their newest single "Love To Life".

The 2014 Jazz at the Bowl Series begins tonight, July 9, 2014 as The Count Basie Orchestra and special guests celebrate the music of Ella Fitzgerald. The series also features, among others, Boz Scaggs, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Herbie Hancock, a Christian McBride-directed James Brown Celebration, John Legend recreating Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, Peter Frampton, Marcus Miller, and more. The season marks Herbie Hancock's fifth year as Creative Chair for Jazz.

The 2014 Jazz at the Bowl Series begins July 9, 2014 as The Count Basie Orchestra and special guests celebrate the music of Ella Fitzgerald. The series also features, among others, Boz Scaggs, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Herbie Hancock, a Christian McBride-directed James Brown Celebration, John Legend recreating Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, Peter Frampton, Marcus Miller, and more. The season marks Herbie Hancock's fifth year as Creative Chair for Jazz.

The Hollywood Bowl hosted its 15th Annual Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame concert last night, June 21, featuring Hall of Fame inductees Emmy and Tony-winner Kristin Chenoweth, iconic all-female band The Go-Go's, and the eclectic band Pink Martini. Presenters included Oscar and Emmy winner Helen Hunt, Grammy-nominated singer Natasha Bedingfield, Hollywood icon Barbara Eden, actress/comedienne Carol Burnett, and Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson, as well as a special guest appearance by Lea Michele.