The Society of Singers Sets Lineup for ELLA Award Presentation to Johnny Mathis

The Society of Singers Sets Lineup for ELLA Award Presentation to Johnny Mathis

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Aug. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Burt Bacharach, Patti Austin, Dionne Warwick, Frank Sinatra Jr., Dave Koz, Take 6 and the Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Band will be among the performers at the Society of Singers' (SOS) presentation of the 15th annual ELLA Award to the legendary singer Johnny Mathis, who this year celebrates his 50th anniversary as a recording artist. The event, which will take place at the Beverly Hilton on September 12, 2006, includes a silent auction, dinner and a show by Mathis and his guests, including surprise performances by stars who have not yet been announced. Basketball great Bill Russell will serve as the Benefit Co-Chairman, along with Society of Singers president and chief executive officer Jerry F. Sharell.

Named after its first recipient, Ella Fitzgerald, the ELLA Award is given to singers whose musical accomplishments are equaled by their dedication to charitable and humanitarian causes. Previous recipients of the award, besides Ms. Fitzgerald herself, include Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Peggy Lee, Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Placido Domingo, Barry Manilow, and Celine Dion.

Known for his uniquely rich, velvety-smooth voice, his classic romantic ballads and for his sensitive treatment of jazz and pop standards, Mathis has placed more than 60 albums on the Billboard charts, including the 1958 compilation, "Johnny's Greatest Hits," which put him in the Guinness Book of World Records with an unprecedented run of nearly ten years on the charts. He still performs steadily at prestigious concert halls around the world, and has entertained presidents, heads of state, royal families and concert-goers in virtually every corner of the globe. In September, Columbia Records is releasing a special commemorative album to salute his 50-year career.

The Society of Singers was founded in 1984 by Chairman Emeritus Ginny (Mrs. Henry) Mancini and Gilda Maiken Anderson. With the help of donations from private and corporate sponsors, SOS offers comprehensive services to meet the emergency financial needs of professional singers of all ages, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. It also offers scholarship programs.

Tickets to the event, which begins at 6:00 p.m., are priced at $600, $900, $1,250 and $2,500, with all proceeds to benefit the non-profit Society of Singers. For more information, please consult www.singers.org or call (323) 653-7672.

Contact: Jane Ayer
Jane Ayer Public Relations
310-581-1330
jane@janeayerpr.com
www.janeayerpr.com

Source: Society of Singers

CONTACT: Jane Ayer of Jane Ayer Public Relations, +1-310-581-1330,
jane@janeayerpr.com, for Society of Singers

Web site: http://www.singers.org/

-------
Profile: intent