THE JAZZ SINGER

(Grant Bell as Neil Diamond)

The Jazz Singer, a tribute to the song-writing talent and musical genius of Neil Diamond makes a return by public demand to Heritage Theatre in Hillcrest.

Neil Leslie Diamond was born in Brooklyn 1941 to a poor Jewish family, In 1966, he wrote a song which would rocket up to No.1 on the billboards and stay there longer than any other song that year. The song was I’m a Believer and the artists were The Monkeys. Instantly this young Jewish musician had established himself as a major recording artist.

Now, with over 40 albums to his name and over 110 million record sales worldwide, he is still, at the age of 71, the third biggest seller of live concert tickets worldwide, behind The Eagles and U2.

The tribute features many of his hit records such as, Sweet Caroline, Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show, Porcupine Pie, Red Red Wine, I Am I Said, Song Sung Blue, Cracklin' Rosie, Holly Holy as well as others he wrote for movies like Hello Again, Love on The Rocks, Heartlight and Song Sung Blue.

In 1984 at the age of 43, Neil was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He has appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, he has entertained the president at the White House, he has waltzed with the late Princess Diana, and last year sang for the Queen at her Diamond Jubilee Concert.

For over 40 years, Neil Diamond has been the people's singer. From his early days as a Brill Building songwriter-for-hire, to his still-yearly presence in arenas all over the US and abroad, Diamond has shared his brand of catchy, hard to classify pop songs with the masses. It's not unusual to see two or more generations of family attending his shows together.

This season the show features, Barry Thompson, Mali Sewell and Shaun Dragt. It will be fronted by Grant Bell, of The Gee Jays fame. Keyboards and musical direction by Dawn Selby.

The Jazz Singer is scheduled to run from February 5 to 24. There are three "preview" specials on February 5, 6 and 7 when a limited number of tickets are available on a buy-one-get-one-free basis. Normal tickets R195 pp Wednesday to Saturdays (R165 pp Tuesday evenings and Sunday Lunchtime) include an excellent quality two-course meal.

Bookings can be made on 031 765 4197 or online at www.heritagetheatre.co.za Heritage Theatre is based at the Heritage Market in Hillcrest.