Photo credit: Mark Seliger (PRNewsfoto/Verve Label Group)
Tony Bennett and Diana Krall celebrate their shared love of the music of George and Ira Gershwin on their new collaborative album, LOVE IS HERE TO STAY, set for a September 14th release on Verve Records/Columbia Records. Tony Bennett, who celebrates his 92nd birthday today, has been friends with Diana Krall for over 20 years. The two toured together in 2000 and recorded duets for two of Bennett’s albums (“Duets” and “Playin’ With My Friends”), but this marks their first full album project together. LOVE IS HERE TO STAY is out just in time for the 120th Anniversary of George Gershwin’s birthday which takes place on September 26th. Both multi-Grammy winning and platinum-selling artists, Bennett is the only artist at the ages of 85 and 88, respectively, to have an album debut at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and Krall is the only jazz artist to have eight albums debut at #1 on Billboard’s Jazz Albums chart. Danny Bennett, President and CEO of Verve Label Group commented, “When Tony Bennett and Diana Krall sing the music of the Gershwins, it’s truly the consummate artistic pairing of singers and songwriting. It’s one of those recordings that when you listen to it, you recognize instantly that it had to happen – it was just a matter of getting these two extraordinary performers into a studio and putting the Gershwin songbook in front of them.”
“No one expected me to compose music. I just did. What I have done is what was in me; the combination of New York, where I was born, and the rising, exhilarating rhythm of it, with centuries of hereditary feeling back of me.” – George Gershwin, 1926
LOVE IS HERE TO STAY was recorded with the Grammy award winning Bill Charlap Trio and the stunning result is a subtle, sophisticated and beautifully rendered love letter to The Gershwins’ music and their status as one of the premiere songwriters of the American popular standard. It is a masterclass in vocal delivery and phrasing and the command that Bennett and Krall display of the material in both their duets and solo tracks makes it appear effortless, belying the honed skill of the vocalists. The duet tracks include “Love Is Here to Stay”, “S’Wonderful,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me” and “Fascinating Rhythm,” among them. “Fascinating Rhythm” was Tony Bennett’s first physical recording, made under his then stage name, Joe Bari, which he revisits as a duet with Krall for this project. Two of the duet tracks were never recorded by either artist prior in their career: “My One and Only,” and “I’ve Got A Crush on You.”
Tony Bennett’s album, “Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best Is Yet To Come” won a Grammy award this past February and Diana Krall recently won two Juno awards for her last recording, “Turn Up the Quiet,” including the prestigious Producer of The Year award. This Fall, the two will appear on several national television shows performing songs from LOVE IS HERE TO STAY including The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, and Live With Kelly and Ryan.
LOVE IS HERE TO STAY was produced by Grammy Award winner Dae Bennett and Bill Charlap with Danny Bennett as Executive Producer. It will be released on CD, vinyl, digital and streaming platforms. The Bill Charlap Trio features Bill Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washingtonon drums.
Preview, download or stream Fascinating Rhythm by Tony Bennett
LOVE IS HERE TO STAY: TRACK LISTING
1. ‘S Wonderful
2. My One And Only
3. But Not For Me (Diana Krall solo)
4. Nice Work If You Can Get It
5. Love Is Here To Stay
6. I Got Rhythm
7. Somebody Loves Me
8. Do It Again
9. I’ve Got A Crush On You
10. Fascinating Rhythm
11. They Can’t Take That Away From Me
12. Who Cares? (Tony Bennett solo)
About Tony Bennett: No one in popular American music has recorded for so long and at such a high level of excellence than Tony Bennett. In the last ten years alone he has sold ten million records. The essence of his longevity and high artistic achievement was imbued in him in his loving childhood home in the Astoria section of Queens where he was born on August 3, 1926. As a teenager Tony sang while waiting on tables and then enlisted in the Army during World War II and while in Europe he performed with military bands. Bennett’s big break came in 1949 when comedian Bob Hope noticed him working with Pearl Bailey in Greenwich Village in New York City. Tony Bennett is one of a handful of artists to have new albums charting in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and now in the first two decades of the 21st century. He has introduced a multitude of songs into the Great American Songbook that have since become standards for popular music. With millions of records sold world-wide and platinum and gold albums to his credit, Bennett has received nineteen Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Tony Bennett is also an Emmy Award Winner, a Kennedy Center Honoree NEA Jazz Master and the first interpretive singer to receive The Gershwin Prize from the Library of Congress. An accomplished painter, three of his works are in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institute and he has authored four books.
About Diana Krall: Diana Krall is the only jazz singer to have eight albums debut at the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. To date, her albums have garnered five Grammy® Awards, ten Juno® Awards and have also earned nine gold, three platinum and seven multi-platinum albums. Krall’s unique artistry transcends any single musical style and has made her one of the most recognizable artists of our time. As The New York Times recently noted Krall possesses, “A voice at once cool and sultry, wielded with a rhythmic sophistication.” Born in Nanaimo, British Columbia which is outside of Vancouver, Krall grew up in the western part of Canada and began studying the piano when she was four years old. Krall was still a teenager when she was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 1994, she signed with GRP Records and recorded Only Trust Your Heart, which marked the beginning of her association with Tommy LiPuma, a collaboration that would continue until LiPuma’s untimely passing in 2017. Krall’s success continued with her subsequent releases All for You, and Love Scenes but her watershed moment came in 1999 with the release of When I Look in Your Eyes, her first release for the historic Verve record label. The recording spent an unprecedented 52 weeks in the #1 position on Billboard‘s Jazz chart, won two Grammy Awards and went platinum in the U.S. and Canada. Krall’s next album, The Look of Love, continued her international success and became a top ten seller on Billboard’s Top 200 Album charts. Since then she has released a string of recordings that have created an impressive body of work, including recordings featured in several film soundtracks. Krall has expanded upon her role as a performer to include songwriting, producing and arranging and has brought her talents to collaborate with many other artists including Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand and Tony Bennett. She tours extensively around the globe to sold out audiences, appearing at premiere jazz festivals and concert halls throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
About The Gershwins: The Gershwin Brothers, George (1898-1937) and his older brother, Ira (1896-1983), are often considered the greatest of the songwriting teams to make a permanent and indelible contribution to the art form known as “The Great and American Songbook” – and to world musical culture in general. The brothers were the children of Russian Jewish immigrants, both born in Brooklyn (and except for the occasional job in Hollywood, were lifelong New Yorkers) in 1898 and 1896, respectively. George was originally a piano prodigy and Ira showed an early gift for poetry, rhymes, and wordplay. Writing mostly for Broadway shows and Hollywood musicals (and for top stars like Fred Astaire and Ethel Merman) the two brothers created dozens and dozens of the most beloved songs ever written, like “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” “Embraceable You,” “The Man I Love,” and “But Not For Me.” The apogee of their working relationship was Porgy and Bess, the 1935 masterpiece that is virtually unchallenged as the greatest of all American operas (which features such iconic songs as “It Ain’t Necessarily So” and “Summertime). George wrote several important songs before he began working with Ira, and consequently, Ira kept on writing for decades after his younger brother’s tragically early death from a brain tumor at age 38, but the classic songs that they wrote together, from 1924 to 1937, are beloved by the world entire. For more information please visit: www.gershwin.com
About Verve Records Verve Records, founded in 1956, holds the world’s most respected jazz catalogue and features seminal recordings from legendary artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Stan Getz and Billie Holidayamong others. Verve also served as the original home of pioneering acts The Velvet Underground and Frank Zappa. The revitalized Verve Records falls under the Verve Label Group, which is home to historic imprints including Verve Forecast (Richie Havens, Laura Nyro, Captain Beefheart), Impulse! (John Coltrane, Charles Mingus), Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, and more.
About Columbia Records One of the most respected and successful record labels in the world, Columbia Records is home to established superstars and exciting new talent. Columbia Records is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment.
PRINCE’S FORMER HAIR STYLIST AND CONFIDANT FOR 29 YEARS TELLS HER STORY IN NEW BOOK
Kim Berry, Prince’s hairstylist for 29 years.
Kim Berry, elite hair stylist and confidant to Prince for 29 years, will be announcing some exciting information about her soon to be released and highly anticipated book about her life with Prince, entitled Diamonds N Curlz: My Incredible Journey with Prince.
In the spirit of Prince and continuing his legacy of allowing his fans to be a part of his musical experience, Kim will do the same with the writing and release of her book. Never done before, by any other author who has written a book about Prince, Kim will give his fans a rare and unique opportunity to be a part of his story.
Every fan will have a chance to be in her book. They will have their name placed in the “Thank You” section. Those who submit questions, will have their name along with their query placed in the “Question and Answer” Section. They will also receive a “Certificate of Love”, a personalized autographed picture of her and Prince, a private call with Kim, some will have dinner with her and other memorabilia.
As this book will be read by millions of Prince fans around the world, those that take advantage of this opportunity will stamp their names in Prince history forever.
The deadline for submissions is September 9, 2018.
LEGENDARY TELEVISION AND RADIO HOST DONNIE SIMPSON CELEBRATES A 5O-YEAR CAREER MILESTONE ANNOUNCING HIS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED MEMOIR
‘Through These Eyes: An Iconic Memoir of Life, Love And The Man Behind The Music’ by Donnie Simpson On Sale: January 30, 2019
Legendary media personality, Donnie Simpson’s forthcoming memoir: “Through These Eyes”
The Oracle Group International announces the publication of THROUGH THESE EYES: An Iconic Memoir of Life, Love and The Man Behind the Music (13th & Joan; Hardcover; On Sale: January 30, 2019; $25.99; ISBN 978-1- 7326464-6-9) by award-winning, influencer, humanitarian, and legend Donnie Simpson. Through his highly anticipated memoir, Simpson chronicles the highs and lows of his extraordinary career which in 2019 will commemorate 50 years of entertaining listeners on Radio and Television.
Through These Eyes takes us back to where it all began, his beloved hometown of Detroit. Joining the staff at WJLB radio at 15 years old, affectionately dubbed, Donnie “The Love Bug” Simpson, quickly gained popularity with his sultry voice, warm smile, and piercing green eyes. Relocating after 15 years to Washington, D.C., he continued dominating ratings and captivating audiences, which led to his most memorable role in 1983 as the host of BET’s primetime music video show, Video Soul, solidifying his role as a pop culture icon.
Over several decades, Donnie has interviewed the biggest stars in the world, including Stevie Wonder, Prince, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, David Bowie, Janet Jackson, James Brown, Sting, Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Madonna, Smokey Robinson, President Clinton, Tom Hanks, Barry White, and so many others. Donnie has been inducted into the BET Walk of Fame and the R&B Music Hall of Fame. The only non-musician honored at that point.
“I’m always labeled as trailblazer. To this day, so many artists talk about what it meant to sit on the couch with me, the effect that it had on their careers, and it’s a blessing to have been in that position,” says Simpson. “The most wonderful compliment I get is when people tell me they feel like they know me. They do know me; they know my spirit. I’m the same dude all the time. 24/7, always filled with hope and love, I’m Donnie. That’s my story.”
Through These Eyes, a publishing collaboration between Donnie Simpson Productions, The Oracle Group International, and 13th & Joan Publishing is available for pre-order at www.donniesimpson.com.
IN HER NEW BOOK, BLACK ENTREPRENEUR TEACHES MEN AND WOMEN OVER THE AGE OF 50 HOW TO START A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS… AND AVOID BECOMING PART OF THE NEW POVERTY ECONOMY!
Long-term unemployment will send individuals 50+ into a financial downward spiral
In the past three months, 1.45 million individuals in the U.S. over 50 years of age found themselves exiting the workplace and became jobless. They now face an uphill battle to reemployment, potentially pushing them into the new 50-60 Something Poverty Economy. In her new book, The 50-60 Something Start-up Entrepreneur: How to Quickly Start and Run a Successful Small Business, author Pamela Wigglesworth offers a solution for 50+ men and women, alerting seniors that entrepreneurship is the answer to avoiding the poverty economy.
According to the American Association of Retired Persons, older workers are shown to need more time to look for work, averaging 36 weeks or more. When displaced workers do find new jobs, they typically go back to work for about 75% of their former pay.
When asked why she’s focused on senior entrepreneurship, Ms. Wigglesworth shared, “As much as I want to believe that people over 50 will easily land a new job after retrenchment, that’s simply not the case. Not everyone who wants and needs a job will find one. Far too many people are not financially ready to retire, forcing them to begin tapping into their Social Security well before they planned to. This is where the downward spiral begins. People need to act now to create their own financial security. My goal is to help this demographic before it becomes a crisis.”
The 50-60 Something Start-up Entrepreneur provides a step-by-step guide for starting and running a small business, encourages senior entrepreneurs to embrace technology, shares how to market the business, and how to overcome overwhelm as a new business owner.
59-year old entrepreneur Ms Wigglesworth added, “For employed men and women above the age of 50 who don’t make the decision to take on entrepreneurship now whilst still employed, they will later find themselves at an even greater disadvantage. After a job loss it may be too late for them, as negative emotions such as shame, guilt and despair will kick in, clouding their ability to make sound decisions.”
Job security doesn’t exit anymore so it’s wise for people to act now before they lose their primary source of income.
BOOK DETAILS: The 50-60 Something Start-up Entrepreneur: How to Quickly Start and Run a Successful Small Business
By Pamela Wigglesworth
Softcover | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 192 pages
ISBN 978-981-11-5056-2 | Price $17.95
Published by Experiential Pte Ltd.
Publish date: 16 February 2018
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, iBooks, Kobo, Scribd and Google Play
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
American serial entrepreneur Pamela Wigglesworth is an international marketing consultant, conference keynote speaker and entrepreneur coach based in Singapore. She has experienced the highs and lows of business success and failures. Choosing to fail forward, she has created an easy to follow, step-by-step process that teaches how to set up and run a new business. Pamela is a global traveller and lives in sunny Singapore with her husband John.
NEW SOCIAL NETWORK, BEAN, EXPECTS TO FACILITATE $26 BILLION BACK INTO URBAN COMMUNITIES
Building Economic Advancement Network (BEAN) is aligning strategic investments, incentivized business transactions and cutting-edge technology to increase economic power in urban communities. Headquartered in Louisiana, BEAN is a rising social and economic network, which was founded by real estate investor, DIY Network television personality, and entrepreneur, Darren Walker, 33 of Belle Chasse, Louisiana. The company is scheduled to launch the intuitive BEAN app this coming fall, setting a precedent as the first social network dedicated to the economic advancement of urban communities by leveraging commerce and blockchain technology.
Demonstrating its commitment to this historic, economic empowerment movement, BEAN has set aside 16% of its shares for private investment. Now through December 31, 2018, individuals and investors can purchase BEAN shares with equity in accordance with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission’s (SEC) rules under the Jobs ACT, Title III, Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg. CF).
BEAN is offering shares for a minimum investment of $250 and maximum investment of $107,000. Facilitating BEAN’s Reg. CF offering is truCrowd, a U.S. crowdfunding portal authorized by the SEC. For every investment during the initial Reg. CF offering, investors will also receive BEAN Coin tokens, which will be used as cryptocurrency on BEAN’s social network.
BEAN Founder Darren Walker said, “BEAN is at the forefront of an economic shift. We are leveraging resources, partnerships and investors from diverse backgrounds and demographics to drive economic advancement in urban communities. African Americans have the 16th largest buying power in the world and are major contributors to the United States GDP, yet so much of that economic power is not realized where it matters most – in African American neighborhoods. BEAN’s social network will counter that trend by connecting consumers and businesses in a manner that positively impacts urban communities.”
BEAN expects to facilitate $26 billion back into urban communities by using its platform to redirect a minimum of 2% of African American spending. Walker discusses BEAN here.
Vincent Petrescu, CEO of truCrowd said, “We are seeing the benefits that BEAN plans to bring to the community it serves, and we are thrilled to be part of this effort. I see BEAN as a solution for African Americans to use their financial power to change the status quo and enrich themselves and their communities in the process. BEAN’s platform of rewarding spending to encourage healthy economics is remarkable. We look forward to our role of hosting and facilitating the offering.”
To invest in BEAN during the Reg. CF offering period, visit www.trucrowd.com.
ABOUT BUILDING ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT NETWORK CORPORATION (BEAN)
BEAN is a social network that is centered around economic advancement for urban communities. The platform allows users to easily connect with businesses and professionals from all over the world that are committed to making a positive economic impact in urban communities. BEAN’s intuitive app leverages the latest breakthroughs in blockchain technology, enabling users to monitor their daily economic impact, while earning BEAN coins for their transactions.
BEAN Founder and Visionary Darren Walker is an innovative Louisiana real estate investor who oversees a multi-million dollar portfolio. He recently starred in the DIY Network’s hit show, Louisiana Flip N Move, where he and his wife, Lucy, demonstrated their real estate and renovation prowess throughout Louisiana. In addition to real estate, Mr. Walker has garnered entrepreneurial success in the solar energy and fresh food industries.
BEAN Partner Derek Fitzpatrick is a designer, technology expert and application developer who has led multiple, award-winning studios as a creative director. His deep understanding of design and technology is at the forefront of BEAN’s intuitive platform. Mr. Fitzpatrick’s expertise in branding, 3D/2D, animation, motion graphics, visualization, architecture and industrial design has been instrumental in producing creative, animated and branding assets for major corporations, new products, business services and start-ups.
BEAN Partner Michael Long is a corporate attorney who has provided counsel to private businesses and firms throughout the D.C. area. Mr. Long specializes in corporate and securities law, venture capital, joint ventures, real estate development, debt, mergers and acquisitions, and various areas of corporate law. He also provides counsel and leadership on BEAN’s corporate and securities matters.
ABOUT TRUCROWD
truCrowd is an equity crowdfunding portal operating under federal Regulation Crowdfunding (Title III of Jobs Act). The company connects start-ups and emerging businesses with non-accredited and accredited investors.
