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Topic: Katherine Jenkins
The first six years of Katherine Jenkins career have already been extraordinary in every sense of the word. Under the stewardship of producer David Foster (credited with the careers of Josh Groban, Michael Buble and most recently Seal's comeback) made her most ambitious album to date. Katherine spent the spring of 2009 in LA at Foster's studio, recording 'Believe', the seventh album of her phenomenal career. Together they have produced a record of epic proportions that is set to take Katherine to new heights of success around the world. With a broad mix of contemporary and traditional repertoire the record not only delivers for existing fans but will also broaden her audience across the globe. From the haunting Sarah McLachlan song, 'Angel', through to a stunning working of 90's Evanescence's 'Bring Me To Life', the mezzo soprano's unique vocal interpretations bind seamlessly with Foster's arrangement and production. The album also features a duet with award-winning tenor Andrea Bocelli. ‘I Believe’, arranged by Foster himself, is a tender operatic ballad which unites Jenkins and Bocelli on record for the first time. In addition to the October 26 release of the ‘Believe’ album, Jenkins will embark on an 11 date UK arena tour in March 2010. Available Recordings
Topic: Al Martino Al Martino, the singer who played the Frank Sinatra-type role of Johnny Fontane in the film The Godfather, has died at the age of 82. The Italian-American crooner was known for his hit songs Here in My Heart, Spanish Eyes, Can’t Help Falling in Love and Volare, in a career that spanned more than five decades. Martino was born in South Philadelphia as Alfred Cini, and worked as a bricklayer in his parents' masonry business as a young man. He served in the US Marines during the Second World War, and was wounded during the invasion of Iwo Jima. A longtime resident of Beverly Hills, California, Martino died at his childhood home in the Philadelphia suburb of Springfield, in Delaware County. MOREWikipedia Biowww.almartino.comSHOP Al Martino
Gloria Estefan to retire from singing at age 51 Topic: Gloria Estefan Grammy winning American singer Gloria Estefan has announced that her upcoming Latin America tour will be her last. "It is an end to something that began many years ago, in 1975, and it is a dream to be able to do it in Latin America," the singer said. "These will be the last concerts I do, afterwards I want to focus on my daughter, who is going to high school, and continue working in other areas." The 52-year-old veteran singer announced last year that she would be cutting back the amount of time she spends on tour in order to focus on spending time with her 14-year-old daughter, Emily Marie. However she insists that she she won't be bored with life at home because she has numerous other projects in her kitty, the Contactmusic.Com reported. "We have eight restaurants, three hotels; I am working on a third book and on films," the singer said. Estefan's final tour starts from April 9. She will perform in Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Peru. Her final performance is scheduled for April 23 in Ecuador.
George Beverly Shea at 100 Topic: George Beverly Shea George Beverly "Bev" Shea (born February 1, 1909) is a prominent singer/songwriter of gospel music, the author of several hymns and hymn tunes. Born in Winchester, Ontario, Canada, Shea was one of eight children of a Wesleyan Church minister and his wife. He began singing in the church choir in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. His family later moved to Upstate New York and from there, he went on to work in commercial radio. Shea has been involved with Billy Graham and his ministry, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association since 1943, with the inauguration of Graham's "Songs in the Night" radio program. At the time Graham was pastor of the Village Church in Western Springs, Illinois. Since the beginning of Graham's crusade ministry, Shea and Cliff Barrows have been the nucleus of the crusade musical team. Barrows is choir director, platform emcee, and radio-television program director. They were joined in 1950 by pianist Tedd Smith, and through the years, organists Don Hustad and John Innes have provided additional accompaniment.
Singer Eartha Kitt dies Topic: Eartha Kitt Eartha Kitt, a sultry singer, dancer and actress who rose from South Carolina cotton fields to become an international symbol of elegance and sensuality, has died, a family spokesman said. She was 81.
Now Playing: WTIC Radio podcsast link Topic: Ray Conniff Ray recalls his early days in Boston playing trombone with the Society Bands, including Dan Murphy’s Musical Skippers, performing in New York with Bunny Berrigan, Artie Shaw, and Bob Crosby and his eventual glory years at Columbia records...
Topic: Karen Carpenter The Carpenters began as the Richard Carpenter Trio in the late 1960’s, with Karen’s vocalizing backed by both her brother and bassist Wes Jacobs. They worked hard for a while, and even won a battle of bands at the Hollywood Bowl which led to making a few records, but none did well. Jacobs eventually left and was replaced by John Bettis, and the group was also renamed Spectrum, but it still struggled and Bettis soon disappeared too. Redtro Redeux | WEB LINKS | IMAGES | SHOP The Carpenters
Topic: Ray Conniff November 6, 2008... Ray would have been 92. In order to commemorate his birthday, watch YOUtube and sing along. Joseph Raymond Conniff (November 6, 1916 - October 12, 2002) was an American musician. He was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and learned to play the trombone from his father. He studied music arranging from a course book.
Topic: Yma Sumac Yma Sumac, the Peruvian-born singer whose spectacular multi-octave vocal range and exotic persona made her an international sensation in the 1950s, has died. She was 86. Sumac, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in February, died Saturday in an assisted-living facility in Silver Lake, said Damon Devine, her personal assistant and close friend...