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Jack Jones
July 31 & August 1, 2010 • 7:30pm
Tickets are $40/$35/$30
Get Tickets Now
With a disarming smile, an effortlessly engaging wit and a vocal style that
stands alone, Jack Jones is one of the greatest singers ranking with the
legendary Mel Tormé, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Vic Damone. A true
Singers' Singer. A double Grammy winner, Jack performs around the globe
to sold-out audiences in venues ranging from Jazz clubs to the London Palladium.
Whether he performs with his trio or full Symphony orchestra, his
musical perfection and vocal passion unfailingly illustrate why he stands with
the luminaries. From the thematic threads of his shows to his ability to make
the largest halls intimate, Jack Jones is the very definition of a complete and
total entertainer. The New York Times raves, "he is arguably the most technically accomplished
male pop singer..." . There is only one Jack Jones.
Born in Hollywood, California, on the night his singer/movie star father, Allan Jones, recorded his hit, "Donkey
Serenade". Jack would make his famous parents (his mother was the elegant '30's actress Irene Hervey) especially
proud of their award-winning son for the diversity and breadth of his talent. Jones attended University High
School in West Los Angeles, while also studying drama and singing with private teachers chosen by his father. A
young athlete, he gave up his track and football team sports to devote himself to serious study of the arts. Uni
High was a school attended by teenagers from all economic walks of life. Ever conscious of his privileged life as
the son of a famous show business family, he went out of his way to play down this part of his life with his
friends, not knowing that after his graduation and parents' divorce, he would be financially strapped and have to
start from scratch like most of the other students.
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One of his most memorable experiences while in high school was when one of his friends, Nancy Sinatra, invited
her father to sing in the school auditorium. It left an indelible mark that helped shape Jones' career choice.
Jones' professional debut was a brief stint as part of his father's act at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino in Las
Vegas when he was just 19 years old. He went out on his own three weeks later, working odd jobs to support himself
while pursuing his singing career.
His first break came when a demo he recorded for songwriter Don Raye found its way to Capitol Records. While
with the label he recorded a few singles and an album, which he admits was mediocre.
Although he eventually left Capitol. one gem from his album, "This Could Be The Start Of
Something Big", caught the attention of a San Francisco club owner who booked him for a three week run at
Facks. while performing there, he was discovered by Pete King, a producer and artist for Kapp Records who
quickly signed him to the label.
Still working at his "day job" as a gas station attendant when his first album on Kapp was released. Jones, while
washing a customer's windshield, was surprised to hear one of his cuts playing on the car radio. He could now
legitimately hope that his odd job days would soon be over.
As his career gained momentum, Jones developed a deep appreciation for well constructed songs that also have
emotional appeal His respect for songs that tell stories with meaning and beauty led him to record works by the
greatest balladeers of all time: Sammy Cahn, Jimmy Van Heusen, Cole Porter, the Gershwins, Harold Arlen, Michel
Legrand and Alan & Marilyn Bergman. He was inspired by great Jazz instrumentalists he discovered during
his teen years such as Gerry Mulligan, Clark Terry, Buddy Rich, Bob Brookmeyer, Dave Pell Octet, Marty Paiche
Dectet, Shorty Rogers and the Giants, and Count Basie.
Jones' talent and commitment to his art earned him two Grammy's for "Best Pop Male Vocal
Performance" with his singles "Lollipops and Roses" by Anthony Velona and Bacharach/David's "Wives and Lovers".
His latest release,Jack Jones Paints A Tribute To Tony Bennett, was nominated for "Best Traditional Pop
Vocal Performance". He was also nominated for "The Impossible Dream" and his recording of "Wives and Lovers"
was nominated for "Record of the Year". His hit records include "The Race Is On", "Lady", "Call Me Irresponsible",
and "What I Did For Love". On April 13,1989, he was honored with his own star on the Hollywood
Walk of Fame, close to where his father's star is located.
He is also renowned as a leading interpreter of musical theater - with acclaimed performances in "Guys and
Dolls" and "South Pacific", "She Loves Me", and Pajama Game" . Over the years he has guest-starred on countless
episodic and/or comedy television series. Most recently he starred as Don Quixote in Man Of La Mancha in
the national tour. Most recently, Jack has completed a guest-starring role in the British comedy film: Cruise Of
The Gods.
Admirers of Jones' talent include artists who influenced him as a young singer: Sinatra who said, "Jack is one of
the major singers of our time," Mel Torme who called him "the greatest 'pure' singer in the world" and legendary
composers Sammy Cahn and Michel Legrand.
In 1971, Jones honored Michel Legrand by recording the first complete vocal album in English of the French
composer's songs. Released by RCA, Jack Jones Sings Michel Legrand is an album which exquisitely showcases
the vocalists art and a recording that Jones counts as one of his favorites. In 1997 he recorded New Jack Swing for
Honest Entertainment, which introduced Jones to a new generation of fans with hip, swing renditions of "Every
Breath You Take", "Have You Ever Loved A Woman", Keb Mo's "Dangerous Mood", "All Or Nothing At All" and
the classic "Mack The Knife"
With over 50 recorded albums (17 of them chanting Billboard's Top 20) and consistently sold-out world tours,
Jack Jones continues to charm audiences with his wit, sensitivity and vocal power.
In addition to a successful recording career, Jones' impressive credits include film
and television roles; an internationally syndicated TV variety show; guest performances
at Carnegie Halt, the Kennedy Center, and the White House. He has also
performed and later recorded popular theme songs for film and TV ("Love with a
Proper Stranger, "The Love Boat").
On his latest release for Honest Entertainment, Jack Jones Paints A Tribute To Tony
Bennett, Jones pays homage to a friend and an American icon. He counts Bennett
among those vocalists who most influenced his style (a small but elite group that
includes Mel Torme, Sammy Davis Jr., Billy Eckstien, and Frank Sinatra). Professional
relationship aside, Jones and Bennett have been friends since their meeting at
Chicago's Palmer House Hotel in the late 60's when Jones attended the last show of
Bennett's engagement at the Empire Room, before opening in the same room the following night.
Of his tribute album, which features some of Bennett's signature songs, Jones says, This album is my way or saying
thanks to a dear friend, " In selecting songs for this album, he chose three of his personal Bennett favorites,
"Skylark", "Shadow Of Your Smile" and "You Must Believe In Spring".
Today, Jack is busy doing concerts in performing arts centers, casinos, symphony concerts, as well as semi-annual
engagements in Las Vegas.
Jack's daughter , Nicole (15), was on the honor role in Palm Desert Middle School and received the Rising Star
Award, voted on by her teachers. She is now a freshman at Palm Desert High. She performs with her dad during
school breaks and has appeared in countless stage productions in the Palm Springs area. Jack's other daughter,
Crystal Thomas, is a talented graphic artist in Sacramento California. Her husband, Doug, is a radio personality
on KSSJ, in Sacramento.
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