BWW Reviews: AN EVENING WITH JOHNNY MATHIS at NJ PAC - Absolutely 'Wonderful, Wonderful'

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJ PAC) was the spot for Johnny Mathis fans on Friday night to enjoy "An Evening with Johnny Mathis," a one-night only concert. Mathis delighted and enchanted his audience with his superb vocal talents, accompanied by an extraordinary full orchestra. The NJ PAC Prudential Hall was the ideal venue for the performance.

To open the concert, Mathis sang Life is a Song Worth Singing. He welcomed the audience and acknowledged the abundant talent of the orchestra saying, "Tonight is very special because we have the most wonderful orchestra." The stage was set for a concert that was filled with many of his well-known musical selections including top hits, Chances Are, Wild is the Wind and Misty.

Mathis has a gracious stage presence; his silky smooth voice has the timeless appeal that has endeared him to audiences for over 50 years. Although he is frequently described as a romantic singer, Mathis has remarkable versatility as a vocalist. He performed a variety of pieces during the concert that showcased his talent for many styles including Brazilian music, rhythm and blues and soft rock.

Johnny Mathis first burst onto the music scene in the mid-1950's. His prolific musical career has earned him many impressive honors. In 1958, he was the first recording artist to release a "Greatest Hits" album by Columbia Records; a tradition that has been copied by every recording company since then. Mathis has performed before heads of state, American Presidents and First Ladies. He has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame two times. In 2003 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Mathis has a distinctive vocal quality and a gracious stage presence that has been admired by audiences and fellow performers alike. "An Evening with Johnny Mathis" at NJ PAC was a magnificent performance event. It is certain that Mathis will continue to thrill generations of music-lovers for years to come.

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center continues its season of thrilling musical performances with Hugh Masekela on April 6th, Heart on April 6th, Shen Yun 2014 on April 11th and 12th, Renaissance on April 18th, Ani DiFranco on April 23rd, and Julio Iglesias on April 27th.

For more information on New Jersey Performing Arts Center and to purchase tickets for upcoming performances, visit www.njpac.org or call 1-888-GO-NJPAC. You can also visit the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's box office at One Center Street in the heart of the Newark Arts District.

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