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| Alexandra Burke: Lady Sing the Blues at the Royal Albert Hall From Tuesday 4 - Saturday 8 June 2013, X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke takes residence in Royal Albert Hall's Elgar Room for her own unique concert version of Lady Sings The Blues. Following in the footsteps of her idols Billie Holiday and Diana Ross, Alexandra will perform, with a full jazz band, her own take on the legendary 1972 film soundtrack of the same name. Starring the queen of Motown, Diana Ross, and nominated for 5 Oscars, Lady Sings the Blues is the classic film and soundtrack that followed the life and career of legendary jazz singer and songwriter Billie Holiday from late childhood to the latter stages of her career and included many of her famous songs. This live concert version, for the first time ever, will revisit this soundtrack as Alexandra and her band put their own spin on these remarkable jazz standards and the life and career of the one of the world's most cherished performers. Very much in homage to both Billie Holiday and Diana Ross, it seems only fitting that Alexandra performs this show at the Royal Albert Hall nearly 60 years after Billie Holiday made her only appearance at the venue for a special one-off concert in 1954. Alexandra Burke said, "I am so excited to be performing these concerts in such an iconic venue. It is an honour to be able to sing Billie Holiday's songs and I feel a very strong emotional attachment to them. Music is my life and I love doing different and surprising things, so I can't wait to get on stage and sing these amazing and timeless songs" Since emerging as victor of the X Factor in 2008, Alexandra's career has gone supernova. Her debut single 'Hallelujah', became the Christmas No.1 and the fastest selling single by a female artist in UK chart history. A further two No.1 singles followed, 'Bad Boys' and 'Start Without You', alongside a double platinum No.1 debut album 'Overcome', that has to date sold over 2 million copies worldwide. After touring the UK with a string of sell out gigs, Alexandra returned last year with the No.2 single 'Elephant' and her second album 'Heartbreak On Hold'. She recently recorded a cover of 'Live and Let Die' for use on The X Factor USA. However, this live concert adaptation is sure to present Alexandra in an entirely different way and as you've never seen her before! This event is part of the Royal Albert Hall's More At The Hall series which presents a diverse range of excellent value events outside of the main auditorium including jazz, comedy, classical and world music. The Hall looks to provide memorable visitor experiences for all and, as a charity, these own-promoted events form a part of its extensive public benefit remit. Jasper Hope, Chief Operating Officer at the Royal Albert Hall, said "No other artist has held a residency in the Elgar Room but when we heard what Alexandra wanted to do it we simply had to make it happen. Seeing any artist in such an intimate space is an incredible experience but to be able to enjoy Alexandra's cabaret performance of those incredible songs is going to be a knock-out start to the summer." Listings information: Alexandra Burke - Lady Sings The Blues Tuesday 4 - Friday 7 June 2013 at 9pm; Saturday 8 June 2013, 10.30pm Elgar Room, Royal Albert Hall Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP write your comments about the article :: © 2013 Jazz News :: home page |