Tony Bennett News

The one change Tony Butala, original founding member of The Lettermen, would have made in the 45-plus year career of one of the most popular vocal groups in history is a surprising one. 'We chose the wrong name!' he exclaims.

The one change Tony Butala, original founding member of The Lettermen, would have made in the 45-plus year career of one of the most popular vocal groups in history is a surprising one. 'We chose the wrong name!' he exclaims.

Following a sold-out Canadian tour, Michel Legrand returns to New York for a special one-night engagement at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center on Saturday, November 21st at 8PM. The multiple Oscar and Grammy-winning pianist and composer will be joined by French singing sensation Mario Pelchat. Five-time Grammy Award winner Dionne Warwick is the special guest star. The trio will be accompanied by a quartet of musicians, including Catherine Michel, the harp soloist at Opera de Paris, for a night of classical film scores by Maestro Legrand, as well as jazz and Hollywood hits, built around the romance and nostalgia of French ‘chanson.'

Michael Amante, world-renowned recording artist, will appear in Elmsford's Westchester Broadway Theatre for One night only on December 14th.

Librarian of Congress James H. Billington today named music legend Paul McCartney as the recipient of the third Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. An all-star tribute concert is planned for spring 2010.

Following its five 2008/09 L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Nominations for its critically-acclaimed production of Kiss of the Spider Woman (including Best Musical Production - Intimate Theatre), Havok Theare Company is thrilled to announce its first production of 2010, the Broadway musical THE STORY OF MY LIFE with music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and Book by Brian Hill, directed by Havok's Artistic Director and Ovation Award-winner (and nominated this year for Kiss of the Spider Woman), Nick DeGruccio.

The one change Tony Butala, original founding member of The Lettermen, would have made in the 45-plus year career of one of the most popular vocal groups in history is a surprising one. 'We chose the wrong name!' he exclaims.

In the great tradition of multitalented stars, Broadway's newest diva Ashley Brown makes her solo record debut with her jazz vocal album, 'Speak Low.' Speak Low will be released nationwide on January 12, 2010 via Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight Records and Sony distribution. The album gets its digital release via online outlets today, November 10.

Zebra Crossing Singapore raises the curtain for the Asian premiere of acclaimed composer and conductor Henry Mancini's VICTOR/VICTORIA at the Esplanade Theatre on November 9, 2009. It stars international jazz songstress Laura Fygi as Victor/Victoria, and Filipino theatre stalwart Jake Macapagal as King Marchan.

The legendary songwriter Johnny Mercer's 100th birthday would have been November 18, 2009. Celebrations of his musical legacy, which encompassed more that 1500 songs and countless awards, continue through November with the publication of 'The Complete Lyrics of Johnny Mercer', the premiere of 'Johnny Mercer: The Dream's On Me' on TCM, all-star performances at New York's Carnegie Hall and 92nd Street Y as well as in Chicago and Savannah, and the unveiling of a life-size statue in his Savannah hometown, as well as the debut of Johnny Mercer YouTube, Facebook and Twitter pages.

RGA Productions presents Frankenstein, a concert and rock music telling of the iconic Mary Shelley tale featuring a Grand Rock style that evokes the sound of Pink Floyd, Evanescense, Alan Parsons Projects, Metallica, Stravinsky & Bartok.

As previously reported, RGA Productions will present Frankenstein, A Rock Musical Concert telling the iconic Mary Shelley tale on Halloween night at the Highline Ballroom. The concert will feature a grand rock style that evokes the sound of Pink Floyd, Evanescense, Alan Parsons Projects, Metallica, Stravinsky & Bartok. Celina Carjaval (Toxic Avenger, Tarzan, Dracula, 42nd Street, Cats) has been confirmed to join the star-studded cast.

RGA Productions presents Frankenstein, a concert and rock music telling of the iconic Mary Shelley tale featuring a Grand Rock style that evokes the sound of Pink Floyd, Evanescense, Alan Parsons Projects, Metallica, Stravinsky & Bartok.

In the great tradition of multitalented stars, Broadway's newest diva Ashley Brown will make her solo record debut with her jazz vocal album, 'Speak Low'. Speak Low will be released nationwide on January 12, 2010 via Ghostlight Records and Sony distribution. Speak Low is the title track on a thoughtfully curated collection of American Songbook standards that also includes a sexy and imaginative medley of two great standards, 'Smile' and 'Make Someone Happy'. The album is filled with passionate, seductive interpretations of a wide range of songs covering jazz and Broadway standards. Speak Low is a collection of Ashley's personal favorites and will consist of new arrangements of such well known classics as 'My Funny Valentine', 'I'll Be Seeing You', 'My Only Love' and 'The Very Thought of You.'

The one change Tony Butala, original founding member of The Lettermen, would have made in the 45-plus year career of one of the most popular vocal groups in history is a surprising one. 'We chose the wrong name!' he exclaims.

The Dramatists Guild of America has announced their DuoLogues seminar series season opener, featuring a conversation between celebrated composers Carol Hall and Peter Mills, occurring Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. The conversation will take place at the Dramatists Guild's New York office, in the Frederick Loewe Room. This seminar is free to the public, but reservations are required. To enter the building at 1501 Broadway, you will need to present photo ID.

The guys are gambling, the dolls are dancing, and the audience will come up a winner when Cabrillo Music Theatre launches its 2009-2010 season with Guys and Dolls. Returning is Director Nick DeGruccio, whose previous Cabrillo production of Jekyll & Hyde led to three Ovation Awards, including Best Director. Returning with DeGruccio is Choreographer Roger Castellano, Ovation-nominated for Jekyll. Musical Direction is by Darryl Archibald, and the production will be overseen by Artistic Director Lewis Wilkenfeld. Cabrillo?s production of Guys and Dolls, created exclusively for the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, will open on Friday, October 16th, 2009 and run through Sunday, October 25th, for Cabrillo Music Theatre in the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

The guys are gambling, the dolls are dancing, and the audience will come up a winner when Cabrillo Music Theatre launches its 2009-2010 season with Guys and Dolls. Returning is Director Nick DeGruccio, whose previous Cabrillo production of Jekyll & Hyde led to three Ovation Awards, including Best Director. Returning with DeGruccio is Choreographer Roger Castellano, Ovation-nominated for Jekyll. Musical Direction is by Darryl Archibald, and the production will be overseen by Artistic Director Lewis Wilkenfeld. Cabrillo?s production of Guys and Dolls, created exclusively for the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, will open on Friday, October 16th, 2009 and run through Sunday, October 25th, for Cabrillo Music Theatre in the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of Creditors, adapted and directed by Pulitzer Prize-winner Doug Wright (I Am My Own Wife) from the play by August Strindberg. A La Jolla Playhouse commission, Creditors runs September 29 ? October 25 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre.

Come enjoy the beautiful fall weather and local music during Mesa Arts Center's free outdoor concerts Thursdays, starting on October 22, in the Wells Fargo Garden.