Über music producer Quincy Jones reportedly once called John Tesh the ultimate “hyphenate.”
As in “singer-songwriter-performer-TV personality-award-winning journalist-NBA theme song composer-actor-inspirational speaker” John Tesh.
We’re sure we’re leaving a hyphen or two out, but when Tesh comes to the Diamond Center at Desert Diamond Casino on Friday, Dec. 2, he will be wearing his singer-songwriter/performer hat for his “Jazzy Swingin’ Christmas” show.
Even if you are not of the Tesh generation, the 1980s and ’90s when he was a nightly fixture anchoring “Entertainment Tonight,” you likely have some familiarity with his work. From 1990 to 2002, NBC played his iconic “Roundball Rock” NBA theme song whenever the network aired a NBA game. The song has now been retired to college basketball games aired on Fox.
Tesh, whose résumé includes six music Emmys, a pair of Grammy nominations, four gold records, seven Public Television specials and 8 million records sold, is going old-school with his holiday show. He told a Florida radio show that he is mining the 1950s and ’60s, when Christmas music was wrapped in a big band.
“It’s very danceable and as you know we really engage with the audience,” the piano-playing Tesh told the radio show.
“Jazzy Swingin’ Christmas” begins at 8 p.m. at Desert Diamond, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road. Tickets are $49.50 to $69.50 through ddcaz.com.
Amanda McBroom, who wrote "The Rose" launched her singing career by singing the song on the Golden Globes, Grammys and "The Tonight Show."
Catch McBroom’s cabaret show
Singer-songwriter/actress Amanda McBroom is headlining a fundraising concert for Invisible Theatre this weekend.
McBroom, whose song “The Rose” was a No. 1 hit for Bette Midler, is teaming up with her longtime songwriting collaborator Michele Brourman to sing songs the pair co-wrote as well as songs McBroom penned solo.
“The Rose” went to No. 1 worldwide in 1979. When McBroom sang it on the Golden Globes, Grammys and “The Tonight Show,” it launched her singing career.
McBroom’s songs have been recorded by Leanne Rimes, Barry Manilow, Judy Collins, Barbara Cook, Anne Murray, Harry Belafonte, Betty Buckley, Stephanie Mills, The Manhattan Transfer, Donny Osmond and others.
In her cabaret show for Invisible Theatre, McBroom will recount her musical journey including how she penned “The Rose” and at the urging of Brourman submitted it to the producers of Midler’s 1980 film of the same name. “The Rose” went on to sell more than 1 million copies in the U.S. and hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide.
McBroom and Brourman take the stage, 400 N. First Ave., at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Tickets are $51 and $151 through tucne.ws/1ly9.
