ETTA JAMES & THE ROOTS BAND SHARE THE BILL
JANELLE MONÁE OPENS THE SHOW
SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2009, at 7 PM
Media Sponsor: KCRW
The annual KCRW World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl continues on Sunday, June 28, at 7p.m., with the debut of British songstress Adele, backed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra Strings; the return of the legendary Etta James and her group The Roots Band; and Afro-punk singer Janelle Monáe, also making her Bowl debut. KCRW Music Director and DJ Jason Bentley hosts.
She’s just 21, but Adele sings like a seasoned woman with the wisdom of life experiences. Her recent honor of two 2009 Grammy Awards - Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance - arrived shortly after the 2008 release of “Chasing Pavements,” the chart-topping single from her critically praised debut album, 19. Adele is a soulful songstress who draws inspiration from a number of contemporary and legendary artists, but perhaps none more so than Etta James. In a true pairing of idol and idolizer, Etta James and Adele share the stage for the first time. Although they are not scheduled to perform together, Adele exclaims, “Etta James is my favorite singer ever! This is the most amazing thing ever for me!"
Etta James returns to the Hollywood Bowl for this special concert, joined by her Roots Band and the trademark sass and belting blues that have made her a Bowl favorite. A commanding performer, James has been a musical storyteller for the past five decades. Her gospel-soaked roots grew into a singing career in 1954 with her chart-topping recording of “The Wallflower” with Johnny Otis, and her latest album All the Way incorporates the same raw talent, bridging R&B, blues and pop.
"I'm an alien from outer space," declares Janelle Monáe on the first song of her debut album, Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition), which is both a declaration and an invitation. Monáe has certainly carved out her own creative path and welcomes listeners into an alternate universe - a soaring sci-fi soundtrack. The lush orchestration experiments with elements of musical theater, funk and the dirty south. At one moment, Monáe's voice takes on the metallic trill of Shirley Bassey, the next she's an ethereal siren, followed by a bluesy soothsayer. The demure Monáe is a force of nature on the stage. She may be living in a fantasy world of her own creation, but she is confident it will soon become the new reality.
FOR BIOS:
Adele:
http://www.myspace.com/adelelondon
Etta James:
http://www.etta-james.com/
Janelle Monáe:
http://www.jmonae.com/
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 is home to the best and brightest in all genres of music. The 2004 season introduced 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 42nd season. In January 2009, the Hollywood Bowl was named Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue for the fifth year in a row at the 20th Annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards; the Bowl's summer music festival has become as much a part of a Southern California summer as beaches and barbecues, the Dodgers, and Disneyland.
EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:
SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2009, at 7 PM
HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 2301 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood
KCRW World Festival
ADELE with the HOLLYWOOD BOWL ORCHESTRA STRINGS
Sean O’Loughlin, arranger/conductor
ETTA JAMES & THE ROOTS BAND
JANELLE MONÁE
Jason Bentley, host
Media Sponsor: KCRW
Tickets ($27 - $98) are on sale now at HollywoodBowl.com, at the Hollywood Bowl Box Office (Tuesday–Saturday, 12 p.m.–6 p.m.), or by calling Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000, and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Groups of 10 or more may be eligible for a 20% discount, subject to availability; call 323.850.2050 for further details or group sales. For general information or to request a brochure, call 323.850.2000.
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Sophie Jefferies, sjefferies@laphil.org, 213.972.3422; Lisa Bellamore, lbellamore@laphil.org, 213.972.3689; For photos: 213.972.3034