A-list Lineup of Musical Guests Makes This a “Starry” Night
NEW YORK–(Business Wire)–
Everyone`s favorite “Hitman” David Foster joins Great Performances superstar
Andrea Bocelli for a new Christmas concert of holiday classics airing on
Thanksgiving night. Showcasing Bocelli`s unmistakable soaring vocals are lush
new arrangements infused with the distinctive Foster touch. The inspiring
concert performance, recorded at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, also features
special musical guests Natalie Cole, Mary J. Blige, Reba McEntire, Welsh
mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins, The Muppets and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Among the featured songs highlighted will be “White Christmas,” “Oh Holy Night,”
“Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Jingle Bells,” “Silent Night,” “The Christmas
Song,” “What Child is This” and many more. Andrea Bocelli and David Foster: My
Christmas will be broadcast in the New York City/tri-state viewing area on
THIRTEEN`s Great Performances series in HD on Thanksgiving night, Thursday,
November 26 at 8 p.m. EST, with additional broadcasts continuing in December on
PBS stations nationwide (check local listings).
Great Performances is a production of THIRTEEN in association with WNET.ORG -
one of America`s most prolific and respected public media providers.
The My Christmas concert is the ultimate holiday musical experience from Andrea
Bocelli, showcasing the tenor in performances of traditional carols and other
favorites in English, with a few additional selections in Italian and German.
Regarding Christmas music, the star remarks, “I have long dreamed of recording a
holiday album that captures the beautiful traditions of the holiday season.
Every year, these songs have brought incredible joy to me and my family, and it
is my hope to give back that same joy by making this album.” Of her experience
singing Elvis Presley`s “Blue Christmas” with Bocelli during the taping, country
music star Reba McEntire told the Toronto Sun, “I sat there in awe. I just loved
it. (His voice) is rich like frosting on a cake - decadent. It`s so full. I
stood there right beside him and just watched him.”
An iconic figure in music who has sold more than 60 million albums to date,
Bocelli continues to defy categorization, age barriers and labels of any kind.
In concert or on the opera stage, he has sung with everyone from Luciano
Pavarotti and Placido Domingo to Bono and Celine Dion. In addition to his solo
Great Performances concert programs, Bocelli`s many memorable television
appearances include the Oscar and Grammy Awards telecasts, mentoring contestants
on American Idol and performances at the Official Ceremonies of the Olympic
Games, all of which have propelled Andrea Bocelli into becoming a global
household name in contemporary popular music.
The national PBS broadcast of Andrea Bocelli and David Foster: My Christmas is
produced by THIRTEEN for WNET.ORG.
By Jay Lustig/The Star-Ledger
October 25, 2009, 1:29PM
The tour is called “David Foster and Friends.” And after more than 30 years as one of the pop world’s most successful songwriter-producers, Foster has plenty of friends to call on.
Peter Cetera (formerly of Chicago) and Philip Bailey (of Earth, Wind and Fire) were there when the tour hit the Prudential Center in Newark, Saturday. So were Deborah Cox, “American Idol” alumni Ruben Studdard and Michael Johns, and the quartet, the Canadian Tenors. But the closing slot went to a woman who has not released an album in the United States yet: Charice, a 17-year-old from the Philippines who is well known her own country, and is being mentored by Foster for worldwide stardom.
She has a big voice and, like another Foster protege, Celine Dion, projects a sense of steely determination when she sings. In this show, she was called on to belt out songs Foster has produced and/or co-written for divas Dion (”The Power of Love”) and Whitney Houston (”I Will Always Love You,” “I Have Nothing”), as well as her own Foster-produced single, “Note To God.” Her poise and vocal command were impressive, especially in light of her youth. She ended her memorable mini-set with “I Will Survive,” one of the few songs in the show that Foster didn’t write or produce.
As expected, it was an evening of clean-cut, immaculately crafted pop music. Foster never has been hip, but his knack for helping singers make the most of their talents — two of his recent finds are Josh Groban and Michael Buble — is beyond question.
Foster, 59, served as the show’s amiable host, and accompanied everyone on piano. At several points, he emphasized that this was the third show of his first tour, ever.
Johns sang two of Foster’s rock hits: “She’s a Beauty” and “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion),” recorded by the Tubes and John Parr, respectively. The show’s three backing vocalists, meanwhile, tackled the “West Side Story” ballad “Somewhere” (which Foster produced for Barbra Streisand) and “Got To Be Real,” his disco hit with Cheryl Lynn.
Studdard stood in for Al Jarreau (the swinging “Mornin’”) and All-4-One (the earnest “I Swear”), and brought a touch of blues grit to “Home,” a hit for both Buble and country singer Blake Shelton.
Cetera and Bailey sang some of the buttery pop-soul hits they have made with Foster, and also briefly touched on their non-Foster history — Bailey with an excerpt from “Easy Lover,” Cetera with “If You Leave Me Now.”
Foster will soon embark on his second tour, joining Andrea Bocelli to perform songs from Bocelli’s upcoming, Foster-produced holiday album, “My Christmas.” Stops will include the Izod Center in East Rutherford, Dec. 5.
Michael Johns singing “Man In Motion”David Foster and Friends NJ 10/24
Peter Cetera “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” at David Foster NYC 10/23
Michael Johns and Peter Cetera Hard Habit to Break
David Foster playing St. Elmo’s Fire theme song
David Foster and Friends: Ruben Studdard - I Swear
David Foster and Friends: Ruben Studdard - Home
David Foster and Friends (Chicago): Charice - Bodyguard Medley
David Foster & Friends (BOSTON): Charice - Somewhere Over The Rainbow
David Foster & Friends: Canadian Tenors - Halleluiah
David Foster & Friends (BOSTON): Charice - Note to God
David Foster & Friends (BOSTON): Charice - The Power of Love
Deborah Cox and Cody Karey “The Prayer” @ David Foster & Friends concert 2009 w/ Charice
David Foster and Friends - America’s Song - Boston 10/25/09
David Foster and Friends (New Jersey): Charice - “I Will Survive”
Deborah Cox - “Un-break My Heart” - David Foster & Friends Concert Tour, Chicago
Deborah Cox - “Through The Fire” - David Foster & Friends Concert Tour, Chicago
POSTED BY DOUG ANDERSEN
Capping off an intense week of multiple recording sessions inside the historic Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Andrea Bocelli and David Foster joined the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for a few hours this month.
“The Lord’s Prayer,” featuring Andrea Bocelli, the choir and orchestra, and David Foster at the organ will be part of a PBS Christmas special produced by WNET. After several takes, David Foster then switched to the piano to accompany both the choir and orchestra for “The Prayer,” a song he personally composed, which will be featured in an upcoming choir and orchestra recording.
Between takes of the recording process, Bocelli sat down at the Tabernacle’s famous pipe organ and gave an impromptu recital of “Ave Maria” while accompanying himself.
“It was beautiful; his sweet voice carried throughout the Tabernacle,” said choir member Robb Cundick, who also said the unplanned performance was his favorite part of the afternoon.
After the conclusion of “The Lord’s Prayer,” Bocelli said he had enjoyed his day in Salt Lake as well as singing in the Tabernacle. He complimented the Tabernacle acoustics and said that the entire experience was very moving.
“For me it was a huge experience,” Bocelli said. “The quality of the choir is very high. … The orchestra also (is) very inspiring.”
Wales News
Sep 18 2009 by Robin Turner, Western Mail
SOPRANO Katherine Jenkins looks set for her big break in the US, thanks to a television Christmas special.
The Neath star is to sing a duet with tenor Andrea Bocelli in his festive show on the PBS network.
The show, which will also feature Mary J Blige, Natalie Cole and The Muppets, looks set to bring the 29-year-old to a big American audience, with PBS boasting 65 million viewers.
Although Jenkins has insisted she does not want to move from the UK, it will certainly boost sales of her new album, Believe, the first she has recorded in the US.
The Welsh diva had a huge ovation from the 5,000-strong crowd at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre this week where the Christmas show was recorded in front of a live audience.
Bocelli picked Jenkins to sing the ballad I Believe after being impressed with her when they duetted during the 2007 Strictly Come Dancing final.
The singer, due to arrive back in Britain at Heathrow Airport today in time for her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing tomorrow night, was clearly thrilled by her quick visit to Hollywood.
She enthused on her website yesterday: “I’m here on a whistle stop tour – I arrived on Sunday and I go home on Thursday.
“I’m here to perform a TV concert with David Foster and Andrea Bocelli for a PBS Christmas special.
“It’s being filmed at the Kodak theatre… where the Oscars are held! You should see the set, it’s incredible! There are Christmas trees and fake snow, it looks like a magical Christmas in Hollywood!”
She added: “As soon as I get back to the UK I have to prepare for my performance on Strictly Come Dancing this Saturday!
“I’m a massive fan of the show and had so much fun performing on it with Andrea Bocelli in 2007, so I’m really pleased to be involved again.
“I’ll be singing ‘I Believe’ from my new album, but instead of singing it as a duet with Andrea (as I do on the album), I’ll be singing it solo. I can’t wait to see all the dancers in their fabulous outfits!”
Celebrity-watchers believe the Christmas special could well be Katherine’s big break in the US.
Beverley Watts, editor of the online version of Celebrity magazine Now, said: “She has a new management team who are said to be very keen for her to cross the Atlantic.
“Katherine has told us she has no intention of moving to the US on a permanent basis but she’ll need to spend a decent amount of time there to make it work.
“And Bocelli is, of course, massive in America and with the right choice of music, Katherine could now crack it in the US and of course she’s a stunning girl.”
And Elaine Penn, deputy showbiz editor of TV Quick magazine, added: “Katherine Jenkins is already a huge name in the UK, due to her enormous talent. And to be asked to record a duet in the States with Andrea Bocelli is high praise indeed as he’s an international star, recognised the world over and huge in the US.
“Appearing alongside him on PBS could be just the exposure Katherine needs to make it there – after all, the station is said to be America’s ‘most trusted national institution’.”
Producer David Foster is now steering Jenkins’ US career. He said: “Katherine’s voice is right up there with the best. On the Christmas TV special with Andrea she both looked and sounded beautiful.”
Although the star has signalled her intention to break into the American market, moving permanently to the States is something she has said she is keen to avoid.
In a recent interview with Now magazine, she asserted: “I have no intention of moving to America.
“I have a house in London and all my family in Wales. I love it in the US but I am definitely not going to move there.”
Andrea Bocelli and David Foster together for one very special Christmas concert being taped for release on PBS.
The late nineties or what David Foster likes to refer to as his Italian Period is when this famed producer and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli first met. Both are the consummate entertainer in their own right. Bocelli, the world’s best selling tenor and who has recorded over 20 pop and classical albums, including several complete operas. Bocelli has also starred in 6 PBS specials and featured on countless others. Then there’s David Foster, a 15-time Grammy Award winning composer, songwriter, arranger, and record producer whose career began in the early 1970s. He has worked alongside many musical legends such as Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, and Paul McCartney just to name a few plus was featured in his very own PBS special last year.
When the two collaborate it feels as if Foster is working with Mozart! These two men have created musical magic over the years and now is your chance to see them perform together live for a very memorable performance and taping for a new PBS special.
Worldwide Superstar Andrea Bocelli Set to Release His First-Ever Holiday CD,
My Christmas
Produced By The Grammy-Award Winning David Foster, Available November 3rd On
Sugar/Decca
NEW YORK, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ — Millions will rejoice this holiday season
with the much-anticipated release of Andrea Bocelli’s My Christmas. The
first-ever Christmas recording from Andrea is a heart-warming collection of
songs destined to become a holiday classic for years to come. Produced by the
legendary David Foster, the CD features the singer’s unmistakable soaring
vocals, alongside duets with special guests to be announced soon. My
Christmas will be released on Sugar/Decca on November 3rd.
My Christmas is the ultimate holiday recording from Andrea Bocelli, who sings
traditional carols and favorites in English, with a few selections also
featuring Italian and German. The lush, beautiful arrangements are evident
throughout; highlights include “White Christmas,” “Oh Holy Night,” “Santa
Claus is Coming to Town,” “Jingle Bells,” “Silent Night,” “The Christmas
Song,” and “What Child Is This” among others.
“I have long dreamed of recording a holiday album that captures the beautiful
traditions of the holiday season. Every year these songs have brought
incredible joy to my family and I, and it is my hope to give back that same
joy by making this album,” commented Bocelli. My Christmas will also be a
major component of a PBS Great Performances special to air on Public
Television this December. The program will present both Andrea Bocelli and
David Foster together in a stellar Christmas program, to be filmed on
September 15th at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.
Additionally on the live front, Andrea is slated to perform three historic
classical concerts for the first time ever at New York City’s famed Carnegie
Hall on September 8th, 9th and 11th. A series of very special Christmas
concerts are slated for December; confirmed dates include November 28th at
Bank Atlantic Center in Ft Lauderdale, December 3rd at Air Canada Center in
Toronto, December 5th at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ, December
12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and December 13th at the Honda Center in
Anaheim.
An iconic figure in music who has sold over 60 million albums to date, Bocelli
continues to defy categorization, age barriers and labels of all kinds. In
concert or on the opera stage, he has worked with everyone from Luciano
Pavarotti and Placido Domingo to Bono. His memorable television appearances
on such events including The Grammy Awards, mentoring contestants on American
Idol, and the Official Ceremonies of past Olympic Games have propelled Andrea
Bocelli to a global household name.
“Hit Man: David Foster and Friends” November 11 DVD/CD Release Honors Career of Multi-Grammy Winner
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Uber songwriter-producer and 15-time Grammy winner David Foster assembled a stunning collection of artists in Las Vegas last spring for a spectacular night, which honored his hugely successful four-decade career. The result is “Hit Man: David Foster and Friends” the DVD/CD which is scheduled for release on November 11th on 143/Reprise Records. With stand-out performances by Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Katharine McPhee, Blake Shelton, Kenny G, Peter Cetera, Brian McKnight and Oprah discovery Charice amongst others, Foster shines in the role of host and ring-master as well as keyboard accompanist to the slew of stars.
“Hit Man: David Foster and Friends” will air as part of the “Great Performances” Series on PBS stations around the country in December. In addition, the eagerly awaited David Foster autobiography “Hit Man: Forty Years Making Music, Topping the Charts and Winning Grammies” is scheduled for a November 11th release on Pocket Books.
Foster who was nominated for an unprecedented 45 Grammies, won two Emmys and was an Oscar nominee is scheduled to make several TV appearances starting with a live performance on Oprah Winfrey on October 31st with Andrea Bocelli. In addition, a full hour devoted to the career of David Foster will air on Dr. Phil on November 11th. The show will include appearances by Seal whose new CD “Soul” was produced by Foster along with the great Natalie Cole. Foster will also visit Good Morning America the following week with 15-year old Oprah discovery Charice and The View on November 19th with American Idol contestant Katharine McPhee.
Having worked with a virtual who’s who of the record business with artists including Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Chicago, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Michael Bublé , N’Sync, Earth, Wind and Fire, Gloria Estefan, Toni Braxton and scores of others, Foster has three Grammy “Producer of the Year” Awards. In 2007, Foster produced Josh Groban’s “Noel” which was the biggest selling CD of last year.
Contacts
Warner Bros. Records
Liz Rosenberg, 212-707-3256
Liz.Rosenberg@wbr.com
“HITMAN: David Foster and Friends” CD/DVD will be released on November 11, 2008 by Warner Bros.
The event was the star-studded David Foster & Friends concert held Friday, May 23 at the Mandalay Bay Event Center. It was an almost fourhour musical extravaganza that featured tour de force performances from Foster’s friends such as Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Katharine McPhee, Charice, Renee Olstead, Peter Cetera, Brian McKnight, Babyface, and Boz Scaggs.
Here’s the CD/DVD track listing:
Disc 1:
1. Love Theme From St. Elmo’s Fire (Kenny G.)
2. Home (Michael Buble and Blake Shelton)
3. I Have Nothing/I Will Always Love You (Charice)
4. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Josh Groban and Brian McKnight)
5. Somewhere (Katharine McPhee)
6. Look What You’ve Done To Me (Boz Skaggs)
7. Wildflower (Blake Shelton)
8. Hard To Say I’m Sorry/You’re The Inspiration/Glory Of Love (Peter Cetera)
9. The Prayer (Andrea Bocelli and Katharine McPhee)
DVD content:
Act I
1. Andre Agassi Intro
2. St Elmo’s Love Theme (Kenny G.)
3. Can’t Help Falling In Love (David Foster)
4. Beauty/Man In Motion (Michael Johns)
5. Mornin’/After The Love Has Gone (Brian McKnight)
6. Video (Barbra Streisand)
7. Somewhere (Katharine McPhee)
8. Through The Fire (Renee Olstead)
9. Got To Be Real (Cheryl Lynn)
10. Wildflower (Blake Shelton)
11. Video (Urban Cowboy)
12. Love Look What You’ve Done (Boz Skaggs)
13. Jo Jo (Boz Skaggs)
14. Chocolate Legs (Eric Benet)
15. Hard To Say I’m Sorry/You’re The Inspiration/Glory Of Love (Peter Cetera)
16. Amapola (Andrea Bocelli)
17. Because We Believe (Andrea Bocelli)
18. The Prayer (Andrea Bocelli and Katharine McPhee)
Act II
1. Asturias (William Joseph)
2. Video-Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion and David Foster)
3. I Swear (Babyface and Kevon)
4. Feeling Good (Michael Buble)
5. Home (Michael Buble and Blake Shelton)
6. Save The Last Dance (Michael Buble)
7. Video-Bodyguard w/Kevin Costner
8. I Have Nothing/I Will Always Love You(Charice)
9. Alla Luce del Sole(Josh Groban)
10. Bridge Over Troubled Water(Josh Groban with Brian McKnight)
11. You Raise Me Up(Josh Groban)
12. Got To Be Real(All)
The David Foster official biography “Hitman: Forty Years Making Music, Topping the Charts, and Winning Grammys” will be also released in November 2008. A 272 pages hardcover book that every David Foster fan should pre-order it !
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