February 25, 2005 -

Ottawa, Canada -- Frank Sinatra once said that Lou Rawls “has the classiest singing and the silkiest chops in the singing game.” Who better then to pay homage to Ol’ Blue Eyes than this triple Grammy Award-winning, chart-topping pop, jazz, blues and R&B vocalist. Lou Rawls makes his National Arts Centre Orchestra debut with Rawls Sings Sinatra in CJOH Pops concerts from Thursday, March 3 to Saturday, March 5 in the NAC’s Southam Hall at 20:00. The show features Sinatra hits such as “Come Fly With Me”, “That’s Life”, “The Lady Is A Tramp”, as well as a number of Rawls’ own chart-toppers including “Lady Love”, “Tobacco Road”, “Love Is A Hurting Thing” and “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine”.

Lou Rawls’ voice is as distinctive and instantly recognizable as any in music – an amazing four-octave range and a vocal ability that one critic has called “sweet as sugar, soft as velvet, strong as steel, smooth as butter.” In his 40-some years as a recording artist, spanning an astonishing 60-plus albums, three Grammy wins, 13 Grammy nominations, one platinum album, five gold albums and a gold single, Rawls has epitomized the ultimate song stylist. As he says himself: “I've gone the full spectrum – from gospel to blues to jazz to soul to pop – and the public has accepted what I’ve done through it all. I think it means I’ve been doing something right at the right time.”

His monologues in the 70s were the forerunner of rap and he was a “crossover” artist before the term was even invented. In addition to singing, Rawls’ talents extend to acting, a second love. Over the years he has appeared as a series regular, guest star and host in television series. And lately he has ventured into the feature film arena, taking on lead roles in independent films as well as supporting roles in movies such as the Oscar-winning Leaving Las Vegas. In 1999 Rawls appeared on Broadway for a stint in Smokey Joe’s Cafe. He has also brought his flair to children’s programming, becoming the singing voice of the animated feline Garfield. In 1982, he was Grammy-nominated for Best Recording for Children for Here Comes Garfield and is the musical star of the “Garfield” TV specials.

In the early 70s, Rawls’ popularity won him the Downbeat magazine poll for favourite male vocalist, besting perennial champ Frank Sinatra. A good friend of Rawls, Sinatra once said that the two of them were “saloon singers – voices that’s all, reaching into hearts and souls.” Rawls applied his silky chops to the hits of the Chairman of the Board in a popular CD Rawls Sings Sinatra released in 2003. And now he brings his tribute to the National Arts Centre Orchestra along with a number of his own hits.

Tickets for Rawls Sings Sinatra from March 3 to 5 are on sale now at $34.50, $49.50, $51.50, $61.00, and $63.00, with box seats at $90.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111.  Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s web-site at www.nac-cna.ca.  Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Groups of 20 and more save up to 20% on NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances.  To book call 947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Communications Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca