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BARBRA STREISAND AND CHRISTINA AGUILERA JOIN AS
SPECIAL GUESTS OF 'TONY BENNETT: AN AMERICAN CLASSIC,' PREMIERING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21 ON NBC
Music Special Produced and Directed by Academy Award-Winning Director Rob Marshall
Streisand and Aguilera Join Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Michael Bublé Among Other Musical Artists
BURBANK, Calif. – September 11, 2006 – With the upcoming release of
his new album TONY BENNETT: DUETS/An American Classic on September 26,
musical icon Tony Bennett brings his television special to NBC this
Thanksgiving holiday. "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," presented by
Target, premieres on Tuesday, November 21 (8-9 p.m. ET).
In a rare television guest appearance, Barbra Streisand joins
Bennett for a duet of "Smile," which is the track they recorded for his
DUETS album. Off of the heels of the release of her #1 selling album
"Back to Basics," Christina Aguilera also joins the star-studded cadre
of popular artists representing a wide range of musical genres from
Pop, R&B, Latin and Jazz who sing with Bennett.
Musical performances include "The Shadow of Your Smile" with
Juanes; "Rags to Riches" with Elton John; "The Best Is Yet to Come"
with Diana Krall; "For Once In My Life" with Stevie Wonder; "Because of
You" with k.d. lang and trumpeter Chris Botti; "Just In Time" with
Michael Bublé; "Sing You Sinners" with John Legend; "Steppin' Out With
My Baby" with Christina Aguilera; and "Smile" with Barbra Streisand.
"NBC is honored to salute the 80th birthday of this legendary
entertainer," said Kevin Reilly, President of NBC Entertainment.
"Hollywood's best will perform alongside an entertainer who is loved by
millions of fans, and our viewers will have a chance to learn more
about this man's extraordinary career."
The one-hour music special takes viewers on a spectacular journey
through the renowned singer's life. Set amongst the backdrops of
different eras from Bennett's career, performances will include duets
of his most memorable songs as well as spectacular dance numbers. Each
musical performance is shot as a short movie with Bruce Willis, Robert
De Niro, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Billy Crystal narrating and
introducing milestones in Bennett's life.
"Tony Bennett: An American Classic" is produced and directed by
Academy Award winner Rob Marshall ("Chicago," "Memoirs of a Geisha")
and his Oscar-winning production team, including production designer
John Myrhe, costume designer Colleen Atwood, cinematographer Dion Beebe
and choreographer John DeLuca.
"Working with Tony Bennett on this extraordinary and historic event
has not only been thrilling for me, but also a singular honor," said
Rob Marshall. "Mr. Bennett is an authentic and legendary icon who has
helped shape the landscape of American music. Paying tribute to him in
this way, with such an illustrious group of artists and creative
talent, has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Referred to as "the best singer in the business" by Frank Sinatra,
Bennett has sold over 50 million albums worldwide, with over 100
recordings to his credit, and has garnered 13 Grammy Awards, including
the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Rob Marshall ("Chicago," "Memoirs of a Geisha"), John DeLuca ("Terminal,"
"Chicago") and Danny Bennett ("Tony Bennett Live by Request: An
All-Star Tribute") serve as executive producers with Marshall
directing. The special is produced by RPM TV Productions, Inc.
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