Russ Lorenson Bring His Tribute to Tony Bennett to New York

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The best is yet to come as singer and recording artist Russ Lorenson honors the legendary Tony Bennett in his show "Benedetto/Blessed: A Tribute to the Life and Music of Tony Bennett." Lorenson brings his acclaimed show to New York for four performances only, October 13, 14, 20 and 21. With musical direction by renowned jazz artist Kelly Park and written by Lorenson, "Benedetto/Blessed" premiered in San Francisco in July, and is currently touring select cities throughout the U.S. The show was created, in part, to honor Mr. Bennett’s 80th birthday, which he celebrated August 3, 2006.

Frank Sinatra once called Mr. Bennett “the best singer in the business.” In tribute to Mr. Bennett, whose birth name translates to “blessed” in Italian, and his successful career spanning over five decades, Lorenson will perform an array of the crooner’s hits in the warm and husky style of the star, including “I Left My Heart in San Francisco, ” “Fly Me To The Moon, ” “Because of You” and “The Shadow of Your Smile.”

“I find great inspiration in Mr. Bennett’s music and artistic vision, ” says Lorenson. “The Great American Songbook has had no greater champion, and I am honored to be singing Mr. Bennett’s greatest hits.”

Russ Lorenson’s passion for Broadway, pop and jazz began as a youngster, with a performing career that began at age seven. As a choral conductor and coach, Russ was the Associate Conductor of the award-winning California Youth Chorale, and as an actor he appeared in musical productions with San Diego’s Starlight Musical Theatre, Lyric Opera San Diego and toured with the National Theatre for Children.

After a 15-year break as an executive in high-tech, Lorenson made a triumphant return to his stage career, appearing as an actor with various San Francisco theatre companies, as a recording artist on the LML Music label, and as a concert and nightclub vocalist touring the US. With his band, Russ has quickly established a reputation as one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s leading interpreters of jazz standards, with a sound and approach that place him at the intersection of Broadway, jazz, and pop – the very essence of the Great American Songbook.

Lorenson’s last nightclub show, "A Little Travelin’ Music", played to sold-out audiences on both coasts, including San Francisco's legendary Empire Plush Room and The Hideaway Room at Helen’s in New York City. His debut CD, of the same name, was released in May 2006 on the LML Music label and features songs from his nightclub show and includes duets with special guests Shawn Ryan and Klea Blackhurst. Lorenson’s second CD, "What I Want For Christmas", was released last month, also on LML Music.

In keeping with Mr. Bennett's "dual citizenship" as both a pop and jazz artist, Russ will bring his show to two of the best nightclubs in New York, with three performances at the beautiful Hideaway Room at Helen's in Chelsea, and one performance only at the legendary Iridium Jazz Club.

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