LA Phil Presents Concert as Part of the 2006/07 Songbook Series

TUESDAY, JUNE 5, AT 8 PM

Burt Bacharach, one of the most accomplished composers of the 20th and 21st centuries, makes his debut appearance at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Tuesday, June 5 at 8 p.m. This concert concludes the Los Angeles Philharmonic's 2006/07 Songbook series.

Backed by a string section, Bacharach delves into his multitude of hits that have defined one of songwriting's most successful and accomplished careers - marked by 48 Top 10 hits, nine No. 1 songs, more than 500 compositions, and a landmark 50-year run on the charts - and songs from his most recent album, At This Time.

This special concert was originally scheduled to take place on February 25, at 7:30 p.m., and was postponed when Bacharach suffered a shoulder injury. Tickets for the February 25 concert will be honored at this performance.

BURT BACHARACH began his career as a conductor and arranger, and toured widely for three years as accompanist and conductor for Marlene Dietrich. As a teenager, he was composing songs, and by the late 1950s his songs were hitting the charts in performances by many different artists in the popular music field. Soon afterwards, he established himself as one of the music industry's top writer/producers, working with singers like Chuck Jackson and, of course, Dionne Warwick. Although his first love remains writing, Bacharach feels performing is another bonus of his illustrious career. He continues to do scores of concerts around the world each year and continues to set industry records and creative standards. At This Time, his 2005 album, which won the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album, broke new ground with Bacharach's first-ever lyrical collaborations. Collaborating with Elvis Costello, Dr. Dre, Rufus Wainwright, Chris Botti, and others, At This Time features a 35-piece orchestra performing new Bacharach melodies with his first-ever self-penned lyrics. In 2006, the UCLA Student Alumni Association awarded Bacharach its George and Ira Gershwin Award for musical achievement and USC awarded Bacharach the USC Thornton Legacy Award for extraordinary achievement in the arts. In recognition of his contributions to music, the University of Southern California created the Burt Bacharach Music Scholarship at the Thornton School to support outstanding young musicians. GQ magazine presented Bacharach its GQ Inspiration Award in September, 2005. In December, 2002, Bacharach was a recipient of the National Academy Of Recording Arts and Sciences New York Heroes Award. Bacharach was also the recipient of the Polar Music Prize, presented in Stockholm by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, in 2001. People magazine named him one of the "Sexiest Men Alive" in 2000, and one of the "50 Most Beautiful People" in 1999. Bacharach served as the co-musical director of the 72nd Academy Awards in 2000. Petula Clark, Costello and Warwick all gave performances at a tribute to Bacharach and David at the Royal Albert Hall later in 2000, where the songwriting duo picked up the Lifetime Achievement Award.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2007 at 8 PM

WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, 111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles

Songbook Series

BURT BACHARACH

DAVID COY, electric bass

DAVID CRIGGER, drums and percussion

TOM EHLEN, trumpet and flugelhorn

ROB SHROCK, keyboards

DENNIS WILSON, woodwinds

JOSIE JAMES, vocals

JOHN PAGANO, vocals

DONNA TAYLOR, vocals

Tickets ($33-$93) are on sale now online at LAPhil.com, at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office, or via credit card phone order at 323.850.2000. A limited number of $10 rush tickets for seniors and full-time students may be available at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office two hours prior to the performance. Valid identification is required; one ticket per person; cash only. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for special discounts for selected concerts and seating areas. For all information, please call 323.850.2000.

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