Les Brown, Jr., continues his father's legacy by bringing the best of the Big Band era to audiences around the world with Les Brown's Band of Renown. From "I've Got You Under my Skin" to "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You," the group will give five performances at Benaroya Hall on Thursday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, April 11, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, April 12, at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, April 13, at 2 p.m.
Deana Martin, daughter of legendary crooner Dean Martin, will lend her vocal prowess to the program, along with music industry everywoman, vocalist Jana King Evans.
In his 50-year career, Les Brown, Jr., has successfully ventured into nearly every aspect of the entertainment industry. During high school and college, Brown performed as a drummer and vocalist in his father's famous Band of Renown, which toured during the summer holidays. In the early '60s, Brown worked in television, acting in sitcoms and dramas on CBS and ABC, notably General Hospital and The Young Marrieds. By the mid-1970s, Brown added the titles of producer and promoter to his resume, headed production for the record label IMC, and later served as president of Gold Dust Productions, Inc., where he produced the albums and tours of major country music stars, including Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn. In 1987, he rejoined the Band of Renown and, in 2001, became the ensemble's full-time leader.
Founded by Les Brown, Sr., in 1940, the Band of Renown first shot to stardom when they contracted Doris Day as their lead vocalist and recorded "Sentimental Journey" in 1945. Following the end of WWII, the band moved from New York to Hollywood, performing and broadcasting from the famed Palladium. In 1947, they joined forces with Bob Hope and, during the Korean War, toured with Hope and the USO, a commitment Les Brown, Jr., has continued in recent years. In the 1960s, the band performing regularly on The Steve Allen Show, The Hollywood Palace and, beginning in 1961, had an eight-year run on The Dean Martin Show. In 2001, Les Brown, Jr., became the full-time leader of the band, continuing his father's tradition of performing popular Big Band hits by Glenn Miller, Irving Berlin, Henry Mancini and Tony Bennett, among others.
Deana Martin made her television debut in 1966 on her father's legendary The Dean Martin Show. She made her American theatrical debut with George Hamilton in The Star Spangled Girl, and first appeared in film in the western Young Billy Young. Martin has been profiled on the CBS Sunday Morning Show, The BBC, The Today Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, Larry King Live and A&E Biography, among others. In 2006, two years after publishing her memoir, Memories Are Made of This: Dean Martin Through His Daughter's Eyes, she released her debut album of the same name, which remains on Top 10 Charts. Her subsequent concert tour featured hits by her father, as well as byFrank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Judy Garland, and many others, with performances at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Paramount Theatre in New York, and additional top venues across the country.
Originally from Snyder, Texas, Jana King Evans is most recognized for her many years on TV's The Nashville Network as a lead background vocalist and vocal arranger on Nashville Now and Music City Tonight. She also performed on numerous televised specials, including The Country Music Association Awards Show, Tribute to the Grand Old Opry, Tribute to Minnie Pearl, Tribute to Ralph Emery and Branson Jubilee. Among her commercial jingles are those for State Farm and Allstate Insurance, Chevrolet, Toyota and McDonalds. Recording credits include vocals and arrangements with artists including Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson and Randy Travis, among others. Evans performed with Roy Acuff (1991) and Johnny Cash (1996) when each received Kennedy Center Honors. -- www.seattlesymphony.org
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