A stellar line-up heading our way at the Hollywood Bowl July 11. It’s the Ray Charles tribute concert co-produced by Phil Ramone and Gregg Field in association with the LA Philharmonic. At the core of a packed program (I hope it’s coherent; there so much talent crammed in) — four amazing “girl” singers replicating the great backup singing of Charles’s girl group, the Raelettes. The ladies, alphabetically, are Patti Austin, Lynne Fiddmont, Siedah Garrett and Monica Mancini.
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Other top-of-bill performers include Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Martina McBride, Dee Dee Bridgewater, BeBe Winans.
An all-star band has been assembled:George Duke, piano; Shelly Berg, organ; Terence Blanchard, trumpet; Scotty Banhart, trumpet; Dave Koz, alto sax; Houston Person, tenor sax; Tom Scott, baritone sax; Grant Geissman, guitar; Chuck Berghofer, bass; Gregg Field, musical director/drums.
The Count Basie Orchestra will also wail. The Philharmonic is promoting the program as “Genius + Soul = Jazz.” I think that sums it up well enough. What a night!
Ray Charles “Genius” tribute | The Hollywood Bowl | July 11, 2012
This concert is destined to be awesome. I have tickets in hand and cannot wait. I plan on this being a treat for my husbands birthday!