MULTI-AWARD WINNING COMPOSER MARVIN HAMLISCH TO PLAY 2 LONDON DATES

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MULTI-AWARD WINNING COMPOSER
MARVIN HAMLISCH

TO PLAY 2 LONDON DATES
ONLY UK APPEAREANCE



LONDON – Legendary multi-award winning stage and screen composer Marvin Hamlisch will make an extremely rare London appearance with a series of intimate performances at Pizza Express Dean St Jazz Club over two nights, August 10 and 11 2009. Appearing as very special guests in the shows, produced by Barry J Mishon, will be the three time Olivier Award winner Maria Friedman, soon to be seen at the Royal Albert Hall in The King and I and J Mark McVey (Les Miserables, Broadway)

Early booking recommended.

MARVIN HAMLISCH – Marvin Hamlisch’s life in music is notable for its great versatility as well as substance.

As a composer Hamlisch has won virtually every major award that exists: three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony and three Golden Globe awards; his groundbreaking show, A CHORUS LINE, received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

He is the composer of more than forty motion picture scores including his Oscar-winning score and song for THE WAY WAY WERE, ‘Nobody Does It Better’ from THE SPY WHO LOVED ME and his adaptation of Scott Joplin’s music for THE STING, for which he received a third Oscar. His prolific output of scores for films include original compositions and/or musical adaptations for SOPHIE’S CHOICE, ORDINARY PEOPLE, THE SWIMMER, THREE MEN AND A BABY, ICE CASTLES, TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN, BANANAS, SAVE THE TIGER, KOTCH and SHIRLEY VALENTINE.

His latest film music is for THE INFORMANT, starring Matt Damon, Directed by Steven Soderbergh, scheduled for release in September 2009.

Marvin Hamlisch holds the position of principal pops conductor for the National Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Symphony Orchestra and San Diego Symphony.

Mr Hamlisch was Musical Director and arranger of Barbra Streisand’s 1994 concert tour of the US and England as well as of the television special, ‘Barbra Streisand: The Concert’ (for which he received two of his Emmys).

Hamlisch is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and Queens Collenge (where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree). He believes in the power of music to bring people together. ‘Music can make a difference. There is a global nature to music, which has the potential to bring all people together. Music is truly an international language, and I hope to contribute by widening communication as much as I can.’

www.marvinhamlisch.com

Todd Gordon and Juliet Roberts

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Maggie Black and Samuel Joseph in association with Feinstein’s at the Shaw present

Todd Gordon and Juliet Roberts
‘Sing Frank & Ella’

May 29 and 30 ONLY

The Shaw Theatre
100 Euston Road
Kings Cross
8pm
Tickets £20
Bookings 0871 594 3 123 Online Bookings www.theshawtheatre.com

London – Two of Britain’s leading jazz vocalists Todd Gordon and Juliet Roberts make their Shaw debut in a stylish and sophisticated tribute to Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. The two incredible talents and engaging entertainers present stellar arrangements of timeless songs including ‘Manhattan’, ‘The Lady Is A Tramp’, ‘Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye’, ‘In The Wee Small Hours’, ‘Mack The Knife’ and ‘New York, New York’.
Todd Gordon – An early onstage encounter with the great Ella Fitzgerald inspired Todd to pursue a career interpreting the Great American Songbook, for which he has now become renowned. Todd performs at the most prestigious venues and festivals throughout the country with the very best British musicians and has recorded three albums produced by Ian Shaw, Love’s Illusions, Ballads From The Midnight Hotel and Moon River To The Days Of Wine And Roses, his tribute to Johnny Mercer.
…‘Doing it his way, the ghost of Sinatra lives on in the work of one of his most polished admirers’ - Clive Davis, The Times
…‘Gordon has made the Great American Songbook his own’ – The Guardian
…’Todd’s choice of music is impeccable and he and the band interact wonderfully’– Sir Michael Parkinson
www.toddgordon.com
Juliet Roberts - Lead singer of acclaimed 1980s ensemble Working Week, Juliet scored recognition with the hits ‘Autumn Day’, ‘Sweet Nothing’, ‘Solo’ and the dance hit ‘We Shouldn’t Hold Hands In The Dark’. She has worked in the studio with Ray Charles, Larry Adler and Al Green, who recorded a song she co-wrote ‘Fountain of Love’. Her latest release ‘Beneath The Surface’ has been a critical and popular smash hit.
…’One of the most majestic of soul, gospel and jazz inspired voices’ – The Guardian
www.julietroberts.com

AUSTRALIA’S ‘FIRST LADY OF JAZZ’ TO PERFORM AT PIZZA ON THE PARK

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AUSTRALIA’S ‘FIRST LADY OF JAZZ’ TO PERFORM AT PIZZA ON THE PARK

Jeff Harnar’s AMERICAN SONGBOOK IN LONDON @ PIZZA ON THE PARK presents

JANET SEIDEL
And her trio

PIZZA ON THE PARK
11 Knightsbridge, W1
May 10 (Matinee and Evening), May 11 (Evening)
May 17 (Matinee and Evening), May 18 (Evening)
LONDON – Australia’s ‘first lady of Jazz’ (Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD) supremely stylish singer-pianist Janet Seidel comes to Pizza on the Park with her trio in a limited season to celebrate the release of her new CD Dear Blossom (La Brava), a tribute to the late Blossom Dearie.

…’ fortuitous blend of Blossom Dearie and Doris Day with an occasional nod to Julie London… exquisite, gentle, and agile voice and honours each tune she sings, irrespective of whether it's a classic standard, pop, or novelty song’ All About Jazz

Janet Seidel is on tour in the UK, May 2009

STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON

Show Times:
Sunday May 10 Matinee doors 1.30pm Performance 3.00pm
Second show doors 5.30pm Performance 7.00pm
Monday May 11 One show only doors 6.00pm Performance 7.45pm
Sunday May 17 Matinee doors 1.30pm Performance 3.00pm
Second show doors 5.30pm Performance 7.00pm
Monday May 18 One show only doors 6.00pm Performance 7.45pm

All shows £25 Bar £15
Bookings 08456 027 017 Online Bookings: www.americansongbookinlondon.com

Janet Seidel– Sydney based singer-pianist Janet Seidel has achieved the international reputation of “Australia’s first lady of jazz” (The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD UK) with 14 CDs released around the globe and a high profile touring schedule.

Performing jazz oriented material and the Great American Songbook since her High School and University days in South Australia, her first CDs made in the early 1990s feature the cream of the Australian jazz scene including Tom Baker, Ian Date, Paul Williams, Bob Gebert, Billy Ross and Col Nolan. Janet’s currently tours regularly with her trio, featuring renowned guitarist Chuck Morgan and brother David Seidel on double bass.

Janet’s 14 CDs cover extensive stylistic ground, and many of her recordings have been nominated for awards. She enjoys particular popularity in Japan with 8 CDs released on the Japanese market, regular tours since 2001 and consistent nomination as one of the top 10 jazz vocalists in the Japanese Jazz Polls. In addition to frequent Australian tours and regular appearances at the most important Australian jazz festivals she has toured the UK, USA, Europe, the Middle East, India and South East Asia.

US writer David Nathan from All About Jazz: “With her intimate style, great feel for the lyrics of songs she sings, Seidel is one of those vocalists who is as much a story teller as she is a singer. The way she goes about handling the music comes off as a fortuitous blend of Blossom Dearie and Doris Day with an occasional nod to Julie London, although she is somewhat jazzier than the latter two. Like Diana Krall, she doubles on piano. Seidel has an exquisite, gentle, and agile voice and honours each tune she sings, irrespective of whether it's a classic standard, pop, or novelty song.”

Her latest CD Dear Blossom pays tribute to another formidable singer-pianist, the legendary and recently deceased Blossom Dearie whose sharp wit, deft pianism and wry vocals were a defining influence on Janet who says, “Among my earliest jazz record purchases was Blossom Dearie Sings, an album of originals. Whether it was a Rodgers and Hart show tune or one of her poignant or funny tunes it was obvious that her ‘less is more deilivery’ was superb.” After seeing her perform for the first time Janet decided, “That’s what I want to do for the rest of my life”.

Dear Blossom available from La Brava Music: info@labravamusic.com

…’the magic-carpet ride treatment’ Sydney Morning Herald.

…’a very cool way with a light touch on the keys’ Adelaide Advertiser

Issy Van Randwyck and Simon Slater to perform TWO BIRDS AND A BLOKE AT PIZZA ON THE PARK

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Press Contact Samuel Joseph: 07929 462 259 / sjoseph.ent@gmail.com

Issy Van Randwyck and Simon Slater to perform TWO BIRDS AND A BLOKE AT PIZZA ON THE PARK
May 12 – 16

Jeff Harnar’s AMERICAN SONGBOOK IN LONDON @ PIZZA ON THE PARK presents
Issy Van Randwyck and Simon Slater

In the acclaimed revue
TWO BIRDS AND A BLOKE

A MUSICAL REVUE WITH A SATIRICAL AND MAGICAL TWIST


LONDON – Star of stage and screen and Olivier Award Nominee, Issy van Randwyck (formerly of FASCINATING AIDA) and actor, musician and magician Simon Slater (MAMMA MIA) come to Pizza on the Park with their acclaimed comedy revue TWO BIRDS AND A BLOKE - original music, dazzling close-up magic and sharp satirical comedy and, for good measure, just a little audience participation.

With Jae Alexander and Robin Colyer
Directed by Edward Hall
Musical Director Sarah Travis

PIZZA ON THE PARK
12 – 16 May, 2009

Tuesday – Saturday
doors 6.00pm Performance 7.45pm

With second shows on Fridays and Saturdays
doors 9.30pm Performance 10.15pm

All shows £25 Bar £15
Bookings 08456 027 017
Online Bookings www.americansongbookinlondon.com

STEPHEN SONDHEIM STUDENT PERFORMER OF THE YEAR / STILES AND DREWE BEST SONG OF 2009 AWARDS

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STEPHEN SONDHEIM STUDENT PERFORMER OF THE YEAR / STILES AND DREWE BEST SONG OF 2009 AWARDS

To be held at THE PLAYHOUSE THEATRE
May 31st, 2009

LONDON – The annual Stephen Sondheim Student Performer of the Year/Stiles and Drewe Best Song of 2009 Awards return for the third year on Sunday May 31st at the West End’s Playhouse Theatre (currently home to La Cage Aux Folles).

12 performers, selected from more than 50 drama schools, will take the stage to perform both a Sondheim composition, and a song by a composer from Mercury Musical Developments, an organisation comprising of over 150 composers, lyricists and book writers working in musical theatre in Britain. There are prizes for best performer and song.

West End star Rosemary Ashe (who amongst other achievements created roles in The Phantom of the Opera, The Witches of Eastwick and Mary Poppins) will host, and prizes will be awarded both for best performer and best song by a panel of illustrious judges from the top echelon of the musical theatre industry including Kim Criswell, Ed Seckerson and Richard Balcombe. The event, produced by Richard Douglas Productions, will be directed by Bill Deamer (currently represented on the West End with Shout) and Nigel Lilley (La Cage Aux Folles, Piaf) will act as musical director.

The Stephen Sondheim Society (http://www.sondheim.org) was formed in 1993 to promote the works of Stephen Sondheim in the UK and elsewhere and to create a greater interest and appreciation of them by means of circulating information and providing a focal point where those interested can share such interests. We organise special events for members and are particularly proud to have been instrumental in finally bringing Saturday Night to the stage. Currently we are compiling an archive for public use.

Patrons include Stephen Sondheim, Barbara Cook, David Kernan, Julia McKenzie, Millicent Martin and Stuart Pedlar

Mercury Musical Developments fosters new musical writing by presenting full-scale productions and showcases, running workshops, supporting new works in development and organising seminars, training and conferences for writers and theatre practitioners.

Patrons include Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Hal Prince, David Babani, Don Black and Dame Judi Dench.

Richard Douglas Productions in association with the Stephen Sondheim Society and Mercury Musical Developments presents
The Stephen Sondheim Student Performer of the Year /Stiles and Drewe Best Song of 2009 Awards

Sunday May 31st 2009 at 3.30pm
The Playhouse Theatre
Northumberland AveLondon, WC2N 5DE
Bookings: 0870 0606631

Tickets: £18.00
£15.00 Stephen Sondheim and Mercury Musical Developments Members
£10.00 Students





For press tickets, additional information or interview requests, please contact Samuel Joseph
07929 462 259 / sjoseph.ent@gmail.com

An online version of this release is available at www.samuel-joseph.com/blog.html

- ENDS -

Labels:

US Jazz Sensation Tony Desare Opens At Pizza on the Park, 7 April 2009

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Press Contact Samuel Joseph: 07929 462 259 / sjoseph.ent@gmail.com

Jeff Harnar’s AMERICAN SONGBOOK IN LONDON @ PIZZA ON THE PARK presents


TONY DESARE

PIZZA ON THE PARK
7 – 18 April 2009

Tuesday – Saturday
doors 6.00pm Performance 7.45pm

With second shows on Fridays and Saturdays
doors 9.30pm Performance 10.15pm

All shows £25 Bar £15
Bookings 08456 027 017
Online Bookings: http://www.americansongbookinlondon.com/


Tony Desare – The hottest young singer-pianist on the international jazz scene Tony Desare makes his London debut at Pizza on the Park in a two week season which coincides with the release of his latest album Radio Show (Telarc). Continuing the tradition of Harry Connick Jr, Michael Buble and Jamie Cullum, Desare combines old school standards with superb interpretations of eclectic contemporary material from the likes of Prince and Bob Dylan.

http://www.tonydesare.com/

Tony Desare on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SShIE5m_sCk (CBS Early Show)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhV7GIQNFIc (Fox News)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g86dvpmBRdE (NBC TODAY Show With Kathie Lee Gifford)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCLjPiCaZbI (Radio Show Promo)

New York Times Review: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE7D91331F933A25750C0A9619C8B63

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American Songbook in London

Forthcoming performances:

STEVE ROSS (March 24 - April 4)
TONY DeSARE (April 7 - 18)
KT SULLIVAN (April 21 - May 2)
PAULA WEST (May 5 - 16)
MAUREEN McGOVERN (May 19 - 30)
ANDREA MARCOVICCI (June 2 - 13)
MAUDE MAGGART (June 16 - 27)

www.americansongbookinlondon.com