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  • THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL KICKS OFF 25th YEAR OF "JAZZ AT THE BOWL" WITH TRIBUTE TO JAZZ LEGEND PEGGY LEE
  • Jul. 14, 2004

  • Star-Studded Lineup Features Bea Arthur, Petula Clark, Freddy Cole,
    Rita Coolidge, Lorraine Feather, Nnenna Freelon, Jack Jones, Jolie Jones, Maureen McGovern, Jane Monheit, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Nancy Sinatra and other Special Guests

    WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, AT 8 PM

    Media support provided by KKJZ

    The Hollywood Bowl kicks off its 25th year of Jazz at the Bowl with a presentation of A Tribute to Miss Peggy Lee, on Wednesday, July 14, at 8:00 pm. The program celebrates the late jazz icon and features a star-studded lineup of performers from jazz, Broadway, pop music and beyond including such entertainment legends as Bea Arthur, Petula Clark, Freddy Cole, Rita Coolidge, Lorraine Feather, Nnenna Freelon, Jack Jones, Jolie Jones, Maureen McGovern, Jane Monheit, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Nancy Sinatra, and a number of special guest artists to be announced.

    The program includes Peggy Lee's favorite rhythm section, Mike Renzi (music director, piano), John Pisano (guitar), Jay Leonhart (bass), and Grady Tate (drums), along with a traditional big band accompanying the performers. The original arrangements by her esteemed colleagues, collaborators, friends, and fans, including Nelson Riddle, Gordon Jenkins, Randy Newman, and Quincy Jones are featured in the program. In addition, rare clips from Peggy Lee's remarkable career will be projected onto the Bowl's big screens.

    Produced and created by Richard Barone, the evening highlights Lee's compositions and collaborations-revealing her undeniable and lasting influence on the American pop/jazz songbook-as well as songs written specially for her legendary voice by some of America's greatest composers.

    Lee is remembered for a long list of award-winning tunes including "Fever," "MaƱana," "It's a Good Day," "Why Don't You Do Right?" "Lover," "Black Coffee," "Don't Smoke in Bed," "The Folks Who Live on the Hill," "Is That All There Is?," and many others. World-renowned as the epitome of pop/jazz sophistication for more than six decades, and a favorite of music festivals around the world, Lee performed her final concert at the Hollywood Bowl in 1995, adding to the significance of this very special evening of legendary music.

    Jazz at the Bowl continues on July 21 with Jazz Lowdown featuring Boz Scaggs, Cassandra Wilson and Eliane Elias; on July 28 with Count Basie's Centennial Celebration featuring the Count Basie Orchestra with special guests Ernestine Anderson, Jon Hendricks, Dianne Reeves and Diane Schuur; Piano Masters on August 4 featuring the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Ramsey Lewis and McCoy Tyner; Latin Jazz Night on August 11 featuring Willie Colon, Los Hombres Calientes and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra; New Orleans Night on August 18 featuring the Neville Brothers, Terence Blanchard and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band; Cool, Pure, 200-Proof featuring the Zawinul Syndicate, the Dave Holland Big Band, and the Michael Brecker Quindectet; and A Night With Blue Note on September 1, celebrating the legendary jazz record label featuring Van Morrison, Dianne Reeves, and special guests.

    An actress and comedian known for her acid wit, BEA ARTHUR is most famous for her role in TVs "The Golden Girls." The majority of her work has been for stage and television and she first gained attention onstage while appearing in the musical play The Threepenny Opera with Lotte Lenya. In 1964 she appeared in the original Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof as Yente the Matchmaker. In this supporting role, she stole the show night after night and, in 1966, went to work on a new Broadway musical, Mame, for which she won a Tony. In 1971, Arthur appeared on the hit sitcom "All in the Family" as Maude Findlay, which led to her own series, titled Maude, for which she won an Emmy. Arthur hit her stride in 1985 with the hit sitcom "The Golden Girls." A friend of Peggy Lee, she sings The Shining Sea, which represents the more dramatic side of Peggy's music. Bea Arthur last performed at the Hollywood Bowl in 1993.

    The most commercially successful female singer in British history, PETULA CLARK started her stage career at age seven and by the dawn of the 1950s she was a superstar throughout the U.K. with a host of films and pop hits. Riding the wave of the British Invasion, she finally made it in the U.S. market with the 1964 hit "Downtown" and followed it with "My Love" and "I Couldn't Live without Your Love." In 1988, an acid house remix was made of "Downtown," and she garnered new young fans all over again. Anenthusiastic fan of Peggy Lee, she has recorded several of Lee's songs throughout her career and always counted Lee as a big influence on her sound. Petula Clark's most recent album is Kaleidoscope.

    The younger brother of Nat King Cole and uncle of Natalie Cole, singer/pianist FREDDY COLE sounds a great deal like his sibling but with a darker, slightly rougher edge. Originally interested in playing professional football, he instead chose a career in music and debuted in 1952 recording for several different labels over the years. The Coles were close friends with Peggy Lee, and Freddy Cole's relaxed style is perfect for "I Don't Know Enough About You," a song that was a highlight at the Carnegie Hall tribute. His most recent record is In the Name of Love on the Telarc jazz label.

    A versatile singer noted for her purity of voice, RITA COOLIDGE was a hugely in-demand session vocalist outside of her solo career. While married to Kris Kristofferson, she wandered into country music but later broke out on her own with a collection of covers, Anytime, Anywhere, with a strong R & B bent. She also sang the theme to the James Bond movie Octopussy. Counting Peggy Lee as one of her greatest influences, she performs several of Lee's songs in her nightclub act, including a stunning version of "Black Coffee." Her most recent album is All Time High.

    Jazz vocalist and lyricist LORRAINE FEATHER grew up with jazz close to home. Her father was jazz writer Leonard Feather, her mother was a former big band singer, and her godmother was none other than Billie Holiday. A native New Yorker, Feather began as an actress before recording her first solo vocal album and later joining Full Swing, a vocal trio, which she began writing lyrics for. Since then, Feather has worked with artists including Patti Austin and Diane Schuur and has received seven Emmy nominations for her work in film and television.

    Often compared to Sarah Vaughan, versatile vocalist NNENNA FREELON recorded her debut for Columbia Records in 1992 but took a break to raise three children and have a career in health services. In 1996 she returned to her vocal career and has since recorded five albums for the prestigious jazz label, Concord, and most recently Live. She performs "I'm Gonna Go Fishin'," which suits her high-energy jazz style. Freelon last performed at the Bowl in 2002.

    A two-time Grammy-winner in the early 1960s, JACK JONES is known for blending vocal standards with pop and swinging version of rock hits. Born in Los Angeles in 1938, he became a successful recording and touring artist (especially in England), and had a renowned act in Las Vegas during the '80s and '90s. A dear friend of Peggy Lee, he recorded several of her songs including "Where Can I Go Without You", "Then There Was Then", and "The Shining Sea." His most recent recording is Jack Jones Paints A Tribute To Tony Bennett.

    JOLIE JONES is the daughter of renowned jazz musician Quincy Jones and talented musician in her own right. Her father was Peggy Lee's friend, co-writer, arranger, conductor and producer. Jones sings Lee's lullaby "Angels On Your Pillow" for the program. She last performed at the Bowl in 1999.

    MAUREEN McGOVERN was a secretary when she was hired to sing the theme from the movie The Poseidon Adventure in 1973. The following year, she sang the theme from the Towering Inferno and since then has gone on to build a reputation as a sophisticated pop singer with the range to tackle some of Lee's most vocally challenging material. Her most recent record is Out of this World. She last performed at the Bowl in 2000.

    An elegant and controlled singer, JANE MONHEIT became a highly touted name in jazz at the age of 20 after becoming the first runner-up in the Thelonious Monk Institute vocal competition in 1998. Since then she has gone on to record three albums and continues to excite audiences with her angelic vocal style. Monheit last performed at the Bowl in 1999.

    SHERYL LEE RALPH originated and created the role of Deena Jones in Michael Bennetts's Dreamgirls on Broadway. The role garnered her both a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award nomination. Shortly thereafter, Ralph turned her attention to music, television, and film. She scored a top-ten dance hit in the mid-'80s with the infectious anthem "In the Evening," and her recent remake of the Eurythmics' "Here Comes the Rain Again" for months. Ralph also just completed a one-year run in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. On television Ralph has starred in It's a Living, George Foreman's series George, and her own series, New Attitude. Her film credits include Sister Act II, The Flintstones, The Mighty Quinn, Mistress, Bogus, Deterrence, Personals, and The Distinguished Gentleman.

    "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'," "Sugar Town," "Lighting's Girl," "Somethin' Stupid" made NANCY SINATRA a household name in the late '60s. As the daughter of Frank Sinatra, Sinatra also recorded with and for her father's record label Reprise. She has continued to champion the kind of feel-good pop for which she is famous. She has called Peggy Lee "her idol" and has performed "Fever" and other Peggy Lee favorites throughout her colorful career. Her most recent record is California Girl.

    One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the HOLLYWOOD BOWL has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922, and in 1991 gave its name to the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, a resident ensemble that has filled a special niche in the musical life of Southern California. The 2004 season introduces audiences to a revitalized Hollywood Bowl, featuring a newly-constructed shell and stage and the addition of four stadium screens enhancing stage views in the venue. To this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's concerts. While the Bowl is best known for its sizzling summer nights, during the day California's youngest patrons enjoy "SummerSounds: Music for Kids at the Hollywood Bowl," the Southland's most popular summer arts festival for children, now in its 35th season. Attendance figures over the past several decades have soared: in 1980 the Bowl first topped the half-million mark and last summer close to one million admissions were recorded. It is no wonder that the Bowl's summer music festivals have become as much a part of a Southern California summer as beaches and barbecues, the Dodgers, and Disneyland.

    EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

    Wednesday, July 14, at 8:00 p.m.

    Jazz at the Bowl

    HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 2301 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood

    A Tribute To Miss Peggy Lee

    Bea Arthur

    Petula Clark

    Freddy Cole

    Rita Coolidge

    Lorraine Feather

    Nnenna Freelon

    Jack Jones

    Jolie Jones

    Maureen McGovern

    Jane Monheit

    Sheryl Lee Ralph

    Nancy Sinatra

    Other special guests TBA

    Media support provided by KKJZ

    Tickets ($1 - $40.50) are on sale now at the Hollywood Bowl Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at 213.480.3232, at all Ticketmaster outlets (Robinsons May, Tower Records and Ritmo Latino locations), or online at HollywoodBowl.com. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for a 20% discount, subject to availability; call 323.850-2050 for further details. For general information or to request a brochure, call 323.850.2000.

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  • Contact:

    Ryan Jimenez, 213.972.3405; for photos: Ellie Lloyd, 213.972.3448