Over the course of her illustrious career, Gloria Estefan, the seven-time Grammy Award-winning international superstar, has recorded many classics from the American Songbook and collaborated with musical icons such as Frank Sinatra, BB King, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and, most recently, with the legendary Tony Bennett. It has been a lifelong dream of Gloria's to record an entire album of standards -- songs that have a very special meaning in her life -- and now that dream is a reality. Gloria Estefan: THE STANDARDS is part of special programming premiering on PBS stations beginning today, August 3, 2013 (check local listings)
On her new album, simply titled Gloria Estefan The Standards, she recorded songs that were written by some of the most well-known songwriters of all time, including Jerome Kern, Chaplin and Gershwin. Featured on the album are Grammy Award-winners Laura Pausini and Joshua Bell, and saxophone great Dave Koz, who also performs in the PBS concert special.
"This Standards album and concert special bring everything full circle for me," Estefan says. "It has been a labor of love in so many ways and has allowed me to record and perform these classic songs in a new and modern way."
Gloria performs The Standards with the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, led and conducted by Grammy-Award nominee Shelly Berg at the renowned New World Center. Gloria personally selected some of her all-time favorite songs, from the Billie Holiday classic "Good Morning Heartache" and her adaptation of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile," to her wedding song, "El Dia Que Me Quieras," translated into English for the first time as "The Day You Say You Love Me."
Gloria's signature and distinctively sultry contralto voice perfectly embraces some of the most recognizable and beloved tunes from past musical eras in this unforgettable, intimate performance.
Gloria Estefan: THE STANDARDS features these performances, plus some surprises:
"Good Morning Heartache"
"They Can't Take That Away From Me"
"You Made Me Love You"
"I've Grown Accustomed to His Face"
"El Dia Que Me Querias (The Day You Say You Love Me)"
"How Long Has This Been Going On" (featuring Dave Koz)
"Embraceable You"
"Smile"
"What a Wonderful World"
"Young at Heart"
PBS special programming invites viewers to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; hear diverse viewpoints; and take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. Viewer contributions are an important source of funding, making PBS programs possible. PBS and public television stations offer all Americans from every walk of life the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content.
Videos