"The Journey So Far," the new live CD from veteran Broadway and Tony Award-winning actress Lea Salonga, is set for release by LML Music/Allegro Distribution August 9th, 2011. Salonga, the Filipina singer and actress who is best known for originating the lead role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon (and for which she won the Tony, Olivier, Drama Desk Outer Critics and Theatre World Awards), will accompany the release of the CD with a worldwide tour throughout 2011 and 2012.
Says Salonga, "We wanted to make this recording something very personal, touching on my life as well as my career. There are songs from my homeland, musical theater, film, and the jazz and pop worlds...this is more than just a recording; it's a memento, a lasting souvenir of this very special time in my life."
Recorded at the Café Carlyle with musical director Larry Yurman on piano, Jack Cavari on guitar, John Miller on bass, and Dave Ratajczak on drums. "The Journey So Far" features such timeless classics as "My Romance," "Let's Fall In Love," "Someone To Watch Over Me," "Salamat Salamat Musika," "I Have Dreamed," "Something's Coming" and "There'll Be Time." "The Journey So Far" was produced by Nashville-based industry veteran Chris Keaton.
"Lea is the consummate entertainer and, in my opinion, one of the premier vocalists on the planet," said Keaton. "Working on this project is a dream come true for me, especially being a Nashville based industry professional....Broadway/Nashville, who knew? I really do believe this recording will open new doors and introduce Lea to a 'whole new world' of fans."
"The Journey So Far" is Salonga's 26th CD release (she began her recording career at the age of 10 with her first album, Small Voice). Amongst many other theatrical productions (including the critically-acclaimed revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song), Salonga was the first Asian actress to play the roles of Eponine and Fantine in the musical Les Miserables on Broadway, and also provided the singing voices of two Disney "princesses" - Jasmine in the film Aladdin and Fa Mulan in the films Mulan and Mulan II. In addition to her roles on the Great White Way, Salonga has starred in many theatrical productions in the Philippines and the Pacific Rim countries and continues to tour worldwide. She has performed with the likes of Harry Connick Jr., Michele Lee, John Lithgow, Jeff Daniels, and Russell Watson, and is active in such Broadway organizations as the Broadway Artists Alliance, Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS and The Actor's Fund. Salonga received a Presidential Award of Merit from Philippine President Corazon Aquino.
For additional information on Lea Salonga, please visit
www.leasalonga.com.
