Tony Bennett's 81st Birthday Celebrated by Russ Lorenson with Special Show in San Francisco
Russ Lorenson returns to San Francisco with his acclaimed show, "Benedetto/Blessed: A Tribute to the Life and Music of Tony Bennett," for a week-long celebration of Mr. Bennett’s 81st birthday at The Empire Plush Room, 940 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA, 94109. Shows are July 31 (press opening), and August 2-5, 2007.
San Francisco, CA, June 26, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Singer and recording artist Russ Lorenson (http://www.russlorenson.com) celebrates the 81st birthday (on August 3rd, 2007) of an American music icon in his show, "Benedetto/Blessed: A Tribute to the Life and Music of Tony Bennett." Lorenson’s tribute to the man whom Frank Sinatra called "the best singer in the business" premiered in July 2006 as the opening act for the legendary Eartha Kitt and is currently enjoying sold-out runs across the country, including San Francisco's Empire Plush Room, Sterling’s Upstairs in Los Angeles, and New York's famed Iridium Jazz Club. The show is musically directed by renowned jazz pianist Kelly Park.
On August 3rd, the day Tony Bennett turns 81 years old, Lorenson will lead a special birthday celebration for the legendary crooner, featuring cake, champagne and a giant birthday card that all audience members can sign, which will be delivered to Mr. Bennett when he returns to San Francisco in September to perform at Davies Symphony Hall. One lucky audience member will win a pair of tickets to the Symphony Hall concert, in a drawing to be held at the end of the run on August 5th.
In addition, as a birthday gift to the singer, Lorenson will donate $5 of each ticket sold during the weeklong run to Exploring the Arts, a foundation begun by Mr. Bennett to support programs that instill in young artists a deeply rooted sense of commitment to their communities and the world at large.
“I find great inspiration in Mr. Bennett’s music and artistic vision,” says Lorenson. “The Great American Songbook has had no greater champion, and I am honored to be singing Mr. Bennett’s greatest hits, especially in the city where he left his heart.”
About Russ Lorenson
Russ Lorenson has established a reputation as one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s leading interpreters of jazz standards, with a sound and approach that place him at the intersection of Broadway, jazz, and pop – the very essence of the Great American Songbook. Jazz Review says that “Lorenson is not just a crooner covering the traditional Sinatra style or trying to be the next Connick; he is his own man.”
Recently nominated for a 2007 MAC Award by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs, Russ Lorenson’s passion for the stage started as a youngster, with a performing career that began at age seven in his home town of Philadelphia. As an actor he has appeared in musical productions with theatre companies throughout California, and has toured with the National Theatre for Children. As a choral conductor and vocal coach, Russ was the Associate Conductor of the award-winning California Youth Chorale for 5 years. As a vocalist he has toured the US, UK and Europe, appearing in concert with such luminaries as Broadway star Karen Mason, "Queen of Cabaret" Andrea Marcovicci, jazz diva Wesla Whitfield, and as the opening act for the legendary Eartha Kitt.
Lorenson’s previous nightclub show, "A Little Travelin’ Music," played to sold-out audiences on both coasts. His debut CD, of the same name, was released in May 2006 on the LML Music label and features songs from the show and includes duets with special guests Shawn Ryan and Klea Blackhurst. His second CD, "What I Want For Christmas," was also released on LML Music in 2006, and has received extensive radio airplay in major markets across the US. Both CD’s were included in the initial Nominating Ballot for the 2006 Grammy Awards.
In recognition of his solid and sophisticated musical vocabulary, Talkin’Broadway.com said that "Russ Lorenson has brought the crooner style back to the cabaret scene... reminiscent of those singers that I used to hear when the 52nd Street cabarets were the cat's meow." The Los Angeles Times said that he brings “a supple voice and strong sense of characterization to all his songs." The Napa Valley Register said that "...Lorenson’s tribute is solid gold." The San Diego Union-Tribune said that his “relaxed, easy deliveries... seem natural and heartfelt..." BeyondChron.com said, “Not only does Lorenson have the soul of the greats – Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and other dream crooners of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s – he has the band with him to really bring those decades to life.” The Juice Weekly called Russ “...a performer that is reminiscent of the old greats...” The Coronado Journal simply called him “…irresistible…”
For more information about Russ Lorenson, visit http://www.russlorenson.com.
About Exploring the Arts, Inc.
Exploring the Arts, Inc. is a tax-deductible charitable organization dedicated to creating, promoting, and supporting arts education. They are part of the growing movement to connect private funders to public schools as a way to achieve greater equality of resources and opportunity for youth of all means and backgrounds. ETA champions arts education programs that help young artists embrace true craft over the cult of fame that pervades our culture. In addition to this focus on craft, ETA is especially interested in supporting programs that nourish the growth of their students into critically thinking, socially conscious artists. Tony Bennett and Susan Crow founded ETA in an effort to give back to the community, so in keeping with Susan and Tony's vision, ETA wants to support programs that instill in young artists a deeply rooted sense of commitment to their communities and the world at large.
For more information about Exploring the Arts, please visit http://www.exploringthearts.org.
Attention Calendar Editors:
SECTION: Jazz/Music/Nightlife
WHAT: "Benedetto/Blessed: A Tribute to the Life and Music of Tony Bennett." Russ Lorenson celebrates the legendary crooner’s 81st birthday.
WHEN: Tuesday, July 31 (press opening), and Thursday & Friday, August 2-3 at 8:00pm; Saturday, August 4 at 10:30pm; Sunday, August 5 at 7:00pm.
WHERE: The Empire Plush Room at The York Hotel, 940 Sutter Street (between Hyde and Leavenworth), San Francisco, CA, 94109
TICKETS: $25-30 cover with a two drink minimum. Reservations by calling (866) 468-3399.
Attention Reviewers:
Russ Lorenson is available for interviews, and review copies of his CD’s are available through RL Productions at (415) 674-3863. Please contact George Russell (george@rl-productions.biz) to arrange.
Attention Photo Editors:
High-res images of Russ Lorenson can be downloaded at http://www.russlorenson.com/Press_Kit.htm.
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On August 3rd, the day Tony Bennett turns 81 years old, Lorenson will lead a special birthday celebration for the legendary crooner, featuring cake, champagne and a giant birthday card that all audience members can sign, which will be delivered to Mr. Bennett when he returns to San Francisco in September to perform at Davies Symphony Hall. One lucky audience member will win a pair of tickets to the Symphony Hall concert, in a drawing to be held at the end of the run on August 5th.
In addition, as a birthday gift to the singer, Lorenson will donate $5 of each ticket sold during the weeklong run to Exploring the Arts, a foundation begun by Mr. Bennett to support programs that instill in young artists a deeply rooted sense of commitment to their communities and the world at large.
“I find great inspiration in Mr. Bennett’s music and artistic vision,” says Lorenson. “The Great American Songbook has had no greater champion, and I am honored to be singing Mr. Bennett’s greatest hits, especially in the city where he left his heart.”
About Russ Lorenson
Russ Lorenson has established a reputation as one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s leading interpreters of jazz standards, with a sound and approach that place him at the intersection of Broadway, jazz, and pop – the very essence of the Great American Songbook. Jazz Review says that “Lorenson is not just a crooner covering the traditional Sinatra style or trying to be the next Connick; he is his own man.”
Recently nominated for a 2007 MAC Award by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs, Russ Lorenson’s passion for the stage started as a youngster, with a performing career that began at age seven in his home town of Philadelphia. As an actor he has appeared in musical productions with theatre companies throughout California, and has toured with the National Theatre for Children. As a choral conductor and vocal coach, Russ was the Associate Conductor of the award-winning California Youth Chorale for 5 years. As a vocalist he has toured the US, UK and Europe, appearing in concert with such luminaries as Broadway star Karen Mason, "Queen of Cabaret" Andrea Marcovicci, jazz diva Wesla Whitfield, and as the opening act for the legendary Eartha Kitt.
Lorenson’s previous nightclub show, "A Little Travelin’ Music," played to sold-out audiences on both coasts. His debut CD, of the same name, was released in May 2006 on the LML Music label and features songs from the show and includes duets with special guests Shawn Ryan and Klea Blackhurst. His second CD, "What I Want For Christmas," was also released on LML Music in 2006, and has received extensive radio airplay in major markets across the US. Both CD’s were included in the initial Nominating Ballot for the 2006 Grammy Awards.
In recognition of his solid and sophisticated musical vocabulary, Talkin’Broadway.com said that "Russ Lorenson has brought the crooner style back to the cabaret scene... reminiscent of those singers that I used to hear when the 52nd Street cabarets were the cat's meow." The Los Angeles Times said that he brings “a supple voice and strong sense of characterization to all his songs." The Napa Valley Register said that "...Lorenson’s tribute is solid gold." The San Diego Union-Tribune said that his “relaxed, easy deliveries... seem natural and heartfelt..." BeyondChron.com said, “Not only does Lorenson have the soul of the greats – Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and other dream crooners of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s – he has the band with him to really bring those decades to life.” The Juice Weekly called Russ “...a performer that is reminiscent of the old greats...” The Coronado Journal simply called him “…irresistible…”
For more information about Russ Lorenson, visit http://www.russlorenson.com.
About Exploring the Arts, Inc.
Exploring the Arts, Inc. is a tax-deductible charitable organization dedicated to creating, promoting, and supporting arts education. They are part of the growing movement to connect private funders to public schools as a way to achieve greater equality of resources and opportunity for youth of all means and backgrounds. ETA champions arts education programs that help young artists embrace true craft over the cult of fame that pervades our culture. In addition to this focus on craft, ETA is especially interested in supporting programs that nourish the growth of their students into critically thinking, socially conscious artists. Tony Bennett and Susan Crow founded ETA in an effort to give back to the community, so in keeping with Susan and Tony's vision, ETA wants to support programs that instill in young artists a deeply rooted sense of commitment to their communities and the world at large.
For more information about Exploring the Arts, please visit http://www.exploringthearts.org.
Attention Calendar Editors:
SECTION: Jazz/Music/Nightlife
WHAT: "Benedetto/Blessed: A Tribute to the Life and Music of Tony Bennett." Russ Lorenson celebrates the legendary crooner’s 81st birthday.
WHEN: Tuesday, July 31 (press opening), and Thursday & Friday, August 2-3 at 8:00pm; Saturday, August 4 at 10:30pm; Sunday, August 5 at 7:00pm.
WHERE: The Empire Plush Room at The York Hotel, 940 Sutter Street (between Hyde and Leavenworth), San Francisco, CA, 94109
TICKETS: $25-30 cover with a two drink minimum. Reservations by calling (866) 468-3399.
Attention Reviewers:
Russ Lorenson is available for interviews, and review copies of his CD’s are available through RL Productions at (415) 674-3863. Please contact George Russell (george@rl-productions.biz) to arrange.
Attention Photo Editors:
High-res images of Russ Lorenson can be downloaded at http://www.russlorenson.com/Press_Kit.htm.
###
Contact
RL Productions
George Russell
415-674-3863
www.russlorenson.com
George Russell
415-674-3863
www.russlorenson.com
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