Tony almost saw his singing career disappear. But now things look brighter than ever for the 55-year-old balladeer, whose signature song is "As Long As I'm Singing." Tony will appear in concert at Ravinia on Wednesday night; he has performed there in the past, but this is his first time as a headliner at the North Shore music festival.
"Over the years I have seen some of my favorite musical entertainers such as Tony Bennett perform at Ravinia dreaming of the day that maybe one day I would be on stage there," Tony says. "Now I have my own night and part of their summer lineup that has included Sting and Carrie Underwood. Wow! Dreams really can come true!"
There are other positive notes in Tony's comeback. He will make his New York City solo concert debut at Feinstein's this fall. His recent CD "Old Friends" has garnered world-wide radio play on over 300 stations including the BBC in London and every major market in the U.S.
Once known as the "Liberace of Elmwood Park," Tony now lives in the Northwest suburbs. He's often compared with Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. His long career has taken him across the country from New York to Hollywood with home stands at the Pump Room and Park West in Chicago. Tony was hand picked by the legendary Bennett to open for him at Summerfest in Milwaukee. Tony also performed with the Harry James Orchestra at Park West. He has headlined to SRO audiences at some of the nation's most prestigious venues, including the Ravinia Music Festival (2005, 2006 & 2007 seasons), New York's Jazz At Lincoln Center (2006), Hollywood 's Ten20 Club and The Gardenia (2006), the Pump Room, Green Dolphin Street, the Playboy Club, Davenport's and Coq D'or at The Drake. Tony also appeared with Grammy Award winner Paul Wertico of the Pat Matheny Group at the Grand Tetons Music Festival (2007)
Being selected to perform at the Mabel Mercer Foundation's conventions in New York and Chicago, Tony shared the stage with such musical luminaries as Laurel Masse of the Manhattan Transfer, Billy Stritch and Andrea Marcovicci. He was also a featured performer at the Humanities Festival/ ASCAP concert series, in 2006, performing with acclaimed Broadway stars Karen Mason and Tony Award-winner Christine Ebersole.
His 2007 nationally CD release, "At Long Last," is earning the singer more acclaim. Backed by a 55-piece orchestra, the recording features jazz standards, big band classics, bossa nova-tinged arrangements and sensitive vocal interpretations on ballads. The recording is a showcase for Tony's talents and it has been played on over 200 major market Adult Standard and Jazz Vocal stations across the world.
Tony Andriacchi will perform in concert with his 16-piece big band at the Ravinia's Martin Theatre on Wednesday, August 25 at 8pm. Tickets are $25 per person/$10 lawn and are available by calling 847-266-5100 or online at ravinia.org
For more information visit, Tony's web site at mrtonyasings.com. Or hear him on YouTube:
