Russ Lorenson - Celebrating Tony Bennett

About

He’s that regular guy from Astoria, Queens, who left his heart in San Francisco. He's the civil rights pioneer w...hose groundbreaking friendship with an African-American Army buddy during World War II caused his superiors to punish him by making him dig graves. He’s the postwar heartthrob who inspired hundreds of young girls to wear black outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral on his wedding day. His first music video - at age 67 - made him the darling of the MTV generation. He’s the consummate artist known worldwide for his paintings. He's the recording artist who's sold over 50 million records, won 15 Grammy Awards, and released the best selling album of his career - at age 80! The world knows him as Tony Bennett, but his birth name - Benedetto - means "blessed", an accurate adjective to describe both the man and his fans.

Proud to be called a “crooner,” Russ Lorenson has established a reputation as one of today’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.”

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 award-winning musical productions with theatre companies throughout the US, and has toured with the National Theatre for Children. As a vocalist he has toured the US, UK and Europe, appearing in concert with such luminaries as Broadway stars Teri Ralston (Company, A Little Night Music, The Baker’s Wife), Karen Mason (Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Sunset Boulevard) and Dale Kristien (Phantom of the Opera), "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.

What to Expect

Typical Gig Duration: 60 - 120 minutes

Set/Song/Sequence List:
- "Early Hits" medley ("Boulevard of Broken Dreams", "Rags To Riches", "Stranger in Paradise", "Because of You")
- Just In Time
- Lost In The Stars
- Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
- In The Middle Of An Island
- Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)
- The Shadow Of Your Smile (Love Theme from "The Sandpiper")
- My Foolish Heart
- Blue Velvet
- Firefly
- It Amazes Me
- The Best Is Yet To Come
- "Tony's Children" medley ("When Joanna Loved Me", "Antonia", "Danny Boy")
- Steppin' Out With My Baby
- One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)
- Smile/Keep Smilin' At Trouble
- I Left My Heart In San Francisco

View Complete Calendar

http://russlorenson.com/Calendar/calendar.pl?calendar=default

Available for Your

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