We
are happy to note that Al will do another tour in
Great Britain in September 2008. Al is so grateful to have been
so well received during the last two tours that he is again looking
forward to this return engagement.
The United Kingdom
tour has just been announced for Al in September, please check
the Appearance Page for the schedule.
Al has just returned
from Berlin where he did a
tribute to the late Luciano Pavarotti. It can be seen
on YouTube. Al performed the classic, "Nessun Dorma".
We are so delighted that
Al's YouTube video of "Nessun Dorma" has been so well
received. We werejust notified of a comment from Steve Slezaks
from KSUI-FM in Iowa who wrote: "Well, Al Martino actually
sings the aria better at age 80 than a lot of the current crop
of "stars" can muster at 25. Keep goin; Al....If you're
still singing like this, you don't have to look over your shoulder
to see who's gainin' on you....there's nobody there."
We would also like to thank Frankie Dee
of web site
GMMY.com for his support of this video and for the
great work he does to keep good music alive! Thank
you Frankie!
Al has had a very successful
tour in the United
Kingdom and this review from Liverpool, February 20,
2007 was just received:
AL MARTINO, LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL
by Phillip Key, Liverpool Daily Post
AL MARTINO was the man who, in 1952, was
Britain's
first chart-topper with "Here in My Heart", and later
went on to play the singer Johnny Fontane in the film
"The Godfather".
He had hits like "Spanish Eyes",
"Volare", and "I Love
You Because'.
Martino is 79, but at the Phil last night
the years
dropped away as he went through his repertoire of
songs and occasionally jokes.
He says he is one of the last singers to
appear in a
tuxedo, and was last night dressed to the nines with
bow tie and pocket handkerchief. He still has style.
Most of all, he still has the VOICE.
He can belt out the great songs in fabulous
fashion
and, even with a 16-strong big band behind him, has no
trouble making his voice heard.
Opening with "Fly me to the Moon"
and easily into the
ballad "Love is a Many Splendoured Thing", Martino
proved he still has the lungs.
This was an evening in which songs with
proper lyrics
and delivery were heard. And great arrangements
behind them.
"How deep is the Ocean", "Once
Upon a Time", "Goody,
Goody", "A Time for Us" (from Romeo and Juliet) and
"I
Can't Stop Loving You" were all there.
Naturally, Martino's Italian heritage was
to the fore
with Italian ballads sung in Italian, including his
hit "Volare".
He talked to his audience, shook hands and
had a good
time.
The voice was in good shape (perhaps even
better than
his last Liverpool visit). Above all, he performed
with old-fashioned style. This was a man in the
Sinatra mold. He certainly is one of the last great
American stylists.
Martino promised he would be returning to
Liverpool in
2008. Now that will be a show worth catching.
Please check out the YouTube site to
see Al's televised appearance in Berlin, Germany (2006). He is supported
by a rich orchestral accompaniment and featured in a lavishly produced
live-on stage setting. Al performs a beautiful medley of his popular
hits, "Volare", "Listen to Your Heart", "Come
Share the Wine", and his signature song, "Spanish Eyes".
Stars come out for INVITATION-ONLY SCREENING
of legendary SINGER Al Martino's first film since The Godfather !
NEW YORK, NY, February 6, 2006 Stars and industry notables came
out for an invitation-only screening of the short-film, "C U T
O U T", starring legendary singer Al Martino in his first film
since The Godfather. Al Martino and Robert Funaro, the stars of the
film, along with Soprano's stars Michael Imperioli, Steve Schirippa
and Maureen Van Zandt as well as The Godfather's Richard Bright and
fashion designer Andrea Jovine, plus many more, packed into Imperioli's
gorgeous theater Studio Dante last Wednesday night. Photographers, including
New York Post legend Aubrey Reuben, were on hand to capture the special
event.
The 15-minute film was screened twice during the evening and received
applause and accolades from both audiences.
Before the first screening, Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirippa crowded
around Al Martino to have their pictures taken with the legendary singer.
They were soon joined by Martino's co-star Robert Funaro and "CUTOUT"
writer/director Marc Cantone for the photo-op.
After the screenings, Studio Dante's
plush lobby provided the perfect atmosphere for the stars and guests
to mingle, sip wine and pose for more photos.
Al was accompanied to the screening by
his daughter, Alison, who flew in from California to share the night
with her father.
On Saturday, October 8, Al along with
other South Philadelphia singers were honored with a mural in their
home town. Philadelphia is proud to be known as "America's City
of Murals". They are in neighborhoods all over the city. This particular
mural is at 1231 E. Passyunk Avenue. It is on the Anatasi's Cafe's outside
wall and also near two South Philadelphia cheese steaks icons, Pat's
and Geno's. The mural is dedicated to the 'Sounds of Philadelphia' and
to the music legends : Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Bobby Rydell, Chubby
Checker, DJ Jerry Blavat (the Geator with the Heater), Eddie Fisher
and of course Al Martino. It was a very special event and Al was honored
to have been there. His parents would certainly have been proud. His
father was an immigrant from Italy and his mother was born and raised
in South Philadelphia in that very neighborhood were the portraits are
displayed. The event was attended by Al, Frankie Avalon, Chubby Checker
and Jerry Blavat. They were also given a Citation from the City of Philadelphia
by Councilman, Frank DiCicco. So if you ever get to Philly, go get a
steak sandwich and look up at the wall....you can't miss it!!
Please check the appearance page as new
engagements are being posted periodically.
We're happy to know Al's PBS concert is still being shown around
the
country. It was filmed in Canada several years ago when Al performed
with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Please check your local listings
for an air date. Thanks to all of you who have responded so favorably.
'COME SHARE THE WINE' IS OFFICALLY RELEASED
IN THE UNITED STATES!!
We are extremely happy to finally let
you know that Al's European CD is available here in the United States!
The title has been changed from LOVE OF MY LIFE (which was the import
title) to the featured song, "COME SHARE THE WINE." It will
be distributed by RYKO Distributors on the BEVERLY HILLS RECORD LABEL.
It was produced in Germany by Jack White who has recorded Englebert
Humperdink, David Hasselhoff, Laura Brannigan and many others.
Several songs on the CD were written by 2-time Oscar winner, Al Kasha.
"COME SHARE THE WINE" has been kicking up a storm wherever
it has gotten airplay. Also included in the CD are three of AL's greatest
hits, "SPANISH EYES," "I LOVE YOU MORE AND MORE EVERY
DAY," AND "VOLARE." The release date is April 27....thank
you so much for responding to this song the way you have. We have gotten
so many emails asking for it and now we're finally thrilled to make
this announcement about it's U.S. release.
We would like to thank Morris Diamond, President of Beverly Hills Records
for his great effort on the release of this CD.
We are receiving wonderful emails daily
and would like to share a couple more:
Vince Di Placido wrote:
Life long fan of Al Martino! I saw his fabulous concert in Dunfermline,
Scotland on April 13-He was magnificent- his glorious voice was as warm
and beautiful as ever! It was one of the best nights of my life.
Lena and Harry Smith wrote:
Al's opening concert in the United Kingdom was a sensation. From the
moment Al stepped onto the stage he was greeted with thunderous applause.
Al sang his "Spanish Eyes" and "Volare" and had
the crowd singing and clapping with enthusiasm and then when Al sang
"Here In My Heart" we thought the roof would cave in. Al showed
once again that he is still the finest singer and entertainer ever and
he proved this once again.
Margaret Hodge wrote:
On Saturday we attended the packed audience at the Empire Theatre in
Liverpool to listen to the magic of Mr. Martino. The audience were in
raptures as every song was applauded. His rendering of the songs was
MAGIC and many brought a lump to my throat. Congratulations to him and
may he have many more years to enchant us. Please, please come back
soon.
A Fan recently wrote:
I just wanted to let you guys know
how much my wife and I enjoyed the show last night at Coral Gables.....we
were delighted with Al and VERY impressed with Dick Contino too!! I
didn't know Al was also a stand up comic....some of the jokes were dated,
but he can deliver a punch line with grace.
I wanted him to know that his music was instrumental in my falling in
love with my Italian bride of 50 years (in June). She and her family
were on the first ship to cross the Atlantic after WWII. Her dad had
fought in US Army in WWI.
Here in my heart is one of my all time favorites and I play it often.......
I enjoy all the songs he has done....he never made on that wasn't excellent.
We hope he enjoys life and good health for a long. long time.....
Al's new 2006 schedule has been posted.
Check it out by clicking on the appearances!
Hope he is coming to a town near you!
On March 28, 2003 in Mannheim, Germany,
Al was given a very special award by "Radio Regenbogen (Rainbow)".
He received the prestigious 'Lifetime Entertainment 2003' award. It
was very gratifying to receive this and Al thanks all involved for this
very special honor. On the same program, awards were also given to Tom
Jones, Metropolitan Opera singer Deborah Sasson, and rock and roll star,
Meatloaf. Al and Tom had not seen each other since the early 70's, so
it was a nice reunion as well!
Prior to receiving his achievement award,
Al taped a TV show to be aired at a later date in Europe, saluting composer
Bert Kaempfert. Mr. Kaempfert wrote Al's million seller hit, "Spanish
Eyes", which of course Al performed on the show. He was also asked
to sing Mr. Kaempfert's other compositions, "Strangers in the Night"
and "Danke Schoen".
Al is very happy and
honored to be included in Hugh Downs new book, "MY AMERICA". It is a
book of 150 diverse Americans from all walks of life and relates what
it means to be an American. Al details some of his experiences as an
underage 16 year old boy when he was stationed on the island of Iwo
Jima. He watched as that famous flag was raised on Mount Sarabachi by
six brave marines. Little did he know then that it would come to symbolize
World War 11. Those years in service to his country were very special
to him and he always has said he would do it all over again to protect
our country and our precious freedom.
It is a very interesting book with some other
thoughts by: Walter Cronkite, John Glenn, Paul Harvey, Art Linkletter,
Dick Clark, Jack Paar, Regis Philbin, William Shatner, Jesse Ventura,
Diane Sawyer, Donald Trump, Mike Wallace, Sally Jesse Raphael, Mark
Russell, George Bush and of course many, many more.
It is published by Simon & Schuster
April 25, 2002
Dear Al,
Many thanks...again...for being with us last weekend at the Performing
Arts Center at Cal-State Northridge. YOU WERE GREAT !!! It gave us a
great kick to see that the audiences wouldn't let you off the stage
after your final bows. They screamed, hollered and clamored for 'more'
every show, the standing ovations were loud and overwhelming to the
point you could have been all the way back to Philly and still they
would have kept up the racket! A testimony, well deserved to your fine
show, your exquisite musicianship and your being truly A CLASS ACT!
Sincerely,
Keith Evans
Evans Associates
"Show of the Month"
Please visit the 'crooner' link at
the bottom of the page for much more on Al. There is also a message
board on that site. And recently they are featuring 2 of Al Martino's
CD's to be purchased that he has personally autographed.
GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS to
HONOR AL MARTINO
Al is being honored by the GUINNESS
BOOK OF RECORDS for having the very first record charted in the British
Isles. The record was "HERE IN MY HEART" and it remained number one
for 9 weeks. It will be the 50th anniversary next year for this wonderful
record. The GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS is presenting him with a special
award for this achievement.
On November 14, 1952 the comparatively
new popular music newspaper, the "New Musical Express" became the first
to print a chart of the best-selling records in Britain. Sheet music
charts had existed in Britain off and on and "Billboard" magazine in
America had been listing the best-selling records on that side of the
Atlantic. The "New Musical Express" chart of November 14, 1952 was a
TOP 12 that in reality was a TOP 15 because two records were placed
in equal 7th, 8th and 11th places. The sheet music that was number one
since October 25 of that year, "HERE IN MY HEART," also proved to be
the number one record, as sung by young AL MARTINO. Al's record remained
the number one single in 1952 for 9 weeks!!!
Al is still performing this
beautiful song whereever he is performing today! Congratulations to
Al!!
Sal DiDomenico
We had the pleasure of having Al Martino perform at our 75th Diamond
Jubilee Italian Feast of saints Cosmos and Damian in Cambridge, MA in
early September. He was outstanding. Not only was he the highlight of
our feast, but he is total class act. Al and his wife Judi are the best.
People are still raving about Al's performance and the thousands of
visitors (police estimates equal 10,000) who came to see his concert
all left singing his songs. He is definitely an outstanding performer
and unbelievable singer. We thank and salute Al Martino for helping
make our feast the biggest and best it has been in our 75 year history.
This is a review received while Al
was performing at the Milwaukee Italian Festival:
Please click on the "CROONER"
link and get involved with the AL MARTINO AWARD on the gmmy website.
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CD's title"Style" released by Fuel 2000
Records here in the United States.
Be sure to pick your copy up ASAP. What a beautiful way in making your
day a lot brighter ... by listening to the Great Al Martino sing these
great songs on this new CD. Al Martino, covers songs from the big band
era with fabulous new arrangements. Truly A Must For All The Family To
Enjoy