LEGENDARY HOLLWOOD ACTOR TONY MARTIN OPENS FEINSTEIN'S SEASON
FEINSTEIN'S at the Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue, NYC - 212-339-4095
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http://www.feinsteinsattheregency.com/
) will open their 2008 season with return of Hollywood legend Tony Martin
from January 29th through February 2nd. After two sold-out shows this
fall, the 95 year old singer and actor will once again perform songs
from his career like "Begin the Beguine," "Let's Face the Music and
Dance," "You Stepped Out of A Dream" and "A Foggy Day." He also tells
stories of his days in Hollywood performing alongside such iconic names
such as Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Rita Hayworth, Judy Garland, Lana
Turner and his wife Cyd Charisse.
Tony Martin - who has gained worldwide popularity and
recognition as a multi-talented, multi-faceted singer, actor, entertainer
and recording artist - is one of the only entertainers to have four
"stars" on Hollywood's legendary "Walk of Fame" for his heralded work
in motion pictures, television, radio and recordings. As an actor,
Martin also appeared in more than 20 classic Hollywood films, including
"Show Boat," "Til the Clouds Roll By," "Here Come the Girls," "Easy
to Love," and "Hit the Deck."
He is respected as a singer and recording artist. Some
of Martin's top sellers include such hits as "Begin the Beguine,"
"To Each His Own," "I Get Ideas" and "There's No Tomorrow." He became
a household television name to millions of viewers in as the star
of his own hit variety series, "The Tony Martin Show," in the 1950's.
He also led his own radio orchestra on a two-and-a-half hour popular
radio show every Saturday night. He diversified his radio popularity
by playing Grade Allen's boyfriend on "The Burns and Allen Show."
He was born in Oakland, California on Christmas Day
as Alvin Morris. He started singing at his mother's sewing club as
a young boy, and began mastering a number of musical instruments,
including saxophone and clarinet. He eventually formed his own dance
band and began playing various gigs professionally. They say timing
is everything. And it certainly held true that serendipitous night
when a Hollywood agent heard Tony Martin singing on a late night musical
show and offered him a chance to try his luck in Hollywood. Martin
had the look, the voice, and the charisma to make it in "Tinseltown"
and quickly landed a movie contract with RKO Studios. He subsequently
found himself with contracts at 20th Century Fox and MGM Studios.
His first picture was "Ali Baba Goes to Town" with Eddie Cantor and
Gypsy Rose Lee.
Martin's early years brought new life to the rising
star, as well as a new name. Tony came from the name of a gambler
in a story in Liberty Magazine (the People Magazine of the day), and
"Martin" came from the name of the bandleader, Freddie Martin. He
was married briefly to singer/actress Alice Faye, and went on to serve
in the armed forces during World War II. After serving two years in
China, Burma and India and being honored with the Bronze Star and
Presidential Citation, Martin served on the committee for John F.
Kennedy's "People to People" Sports Program. Martin promoted health
and fitness, and to this day, he walks five miles a day, plays golf
and can give most a run for their money on the 4-wall handball courts.
He is also an avid sports fan.
Two of the singer's major hits included "Begin the Beguine,"
which was originally intended for Bing Crosby who was on tour and
unavailable, and "There's No Tomorrow," which Perry Como opted not
to record. It was this kind of fortune that took Martin to the heights
of stardom as a headline performer around the world.
Martin currently continues to perform on tour and remains
married to love of his life, the elegant Cyd Charisse, whom he married
in 1948. Martin also stays very involved in charitable causes, including
"The Society of Singers" (SOS), in which he serves as Vice President
of the Board of Directors.
Call for showtimes and cover/minimum information.