Los Angeles, CA. (GRAMMY Foundation) -
WHO: Multi-GRAMMY-winning artist Phil Collins, the GRAMMY Foundation, the New York Chapter of The Recording Academy, and 60 GRAMMY University and metro New York high schools students.
WHAT: GRAMMY SoundChecks - In a new partnership with Verizon, a leading broadband and entertainment company that heavily supports arts and education programs, this GRAMMY Foundation program hosts its first-ever Broadway event, which will offer students from the New York City area the unique opportunity to experience a special rehearsal with Phil Collins, composer and lyricist for the hit Broadway musical "TARZAN." The SoundCheck will be followed by an interactive and candid question-and-answer discussion. Throughout the year, Verizon is sponsoring a series of GRAMMY SoundChecks with a wide range of artists on tour in cities across the country. To expand its partnership as Official Broadband Sponsor of the GRAMMY Awards, Verizon has signed on as Presenting Sponsor of the national GRAMMY SoundChecks program. In key Verizon markets, the company plans to hold local contests for students to win passes to these events.
WHERE: Richard Rodgers Theatre
226 W. 46th St.
New York, NY 10036
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 3, 2006
2 - 3 p.m. (This event is not open to the public.)
WHY: GRAMMY SoundChecks provide young people with a glimpse into the realities of music careers by inviting them to attend rehearsals and concert sound checks of major artists. Students engage in conversation with the artists and their touring staff about the specifics of their careers and the necessary preparation for success. GRAMMY SoundChecks have featured a host of artists including: Babyface, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Coldplay, the Dave Matthews Band, Destiny's Child, Macy Gray, Billy Joel, Jack Johnson, Juanes, John Mayer, No Doubt, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, U2 and Kanye West, among many others. Production pros, tech crews, tour managers, and other behind-the-scenes professionals have also participated to provide additional insight into the broad spectrum of careers available in music.
INFO: The new Broadway musical "TARZAN," written by Oscar and eight-time GRAMMY Award winner Phil Collins, opened on Broadway on May 10, 2006, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City - and quickly set new box office records for the venue. Phil Collins expanded his songs from Disney's animated film into a complete theatre score, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Cast Album chart. Collins is one of today's most popular vocalists, songwriters and performers, and has been hailed as one of the best drummers in the world. His 25 years with Genesis as drummer and singer resulted in another 130 million records sold, and factoring in his work with Brand X and a gallery of star groups and performers (including Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant, Eric Clapton, Brian Eno, Robert Fripp, John Cale,Quincy Jones and Tony Bennett), Collins has left his mark on some 250 million records worldwide. In addition to the GRAMMY-winning soundtrack of Disney's animated Tarzan, including "You'll Be In My Heart," which was nominated for a GRAMMY and won the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Song, Collins wrote six songs and made his film score composing debut (in collaboration with Mark Mancina) on Disney's Brother Bear and also composed the score for Tarzan II. His hit songs include "In the Air Tonight," "One More Night," "Sussudio," "Take Me Home," "Another Day In Paradise," and two other Oscar nominated songs: "Against All Odds" and the Golden Globe-winning "Two Hearts." "TARZAN," directed and designed (sets & costumes) by three-time Tony Award winner Bob Crowley, will celebrate its 200th performance on Nov. 1 and is presented by Disney Theatrical Productions (Thomas Schumacher, Producer). In addition, Disney Theatrical Productions, Joop van den Ende and Stage Entertainment have recently announced a production of "TARZAN" in the Netherlands scheduled to open on April 15, 2007.
