Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts will present "Tormé Sings Tormé," a big band tribute to the life and music of Mel Tormé, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, in W.M.
Turner Auditorium as part of the University Series.

The show features Mel's son, Steve March Tormé, accompanied by a 10-piece big band, performing original musical arrangements by Marty Paich and Mel himself.

Steve will sing some of his father's best-known songs, interspersing them with family photos as well as classic and some never-before-seen Tormé video clips.

In a recent article in Jazz Scene, the reviewer said, "Don't look for a Mel clone in Steve March Tormé. What he does bring to this performance is the same enthusiasm and jazz feeling as his famous old man. He gives it all he's got and you can't help but get the message that the guy can really put across a song."

Steve began his singing career at the age of 13 with his own band.
After moving to Beverly Hills with his mother and stepfather, he continued to entertain at parties and functions throughout his high school years.

He recorded his first album, "Lucky," for United Artists Records, supporting it with a well-received 20-city tour. Upon returning to California, he produced and sang on Liza Minelli's Columbia Record release "Tropical Nights." The compact disc remains a favorite in New York City dance clubs.

Honing his craft as a performer, Steve worked as an actor, playing the male lead in a European musical-drama mini series and appearing on numerous American variety television shows. He spent two years as the featured vocalist on ABC-TV's "$100,000 Name That Tune" and also hosted two Los Angeles-based television shows.

In 2000, he released "Swingin' at the Blue Moon Bar & Grille" on Frozen Rope, featuring a playful, scat-trading duet of "Straighten Up and Fly Right" with his father. It was the last recording Mel ever made. His next CD, "The Night I Fell for You," is a critically acclaimed mix of originals and updated standards.

His 2003 "Essence of Love" contains 14 tracks of classics by artists such as Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Hoagy Carmichael and songs such as "Blue Skies," "I Only Have Eyes for You" and "Stardust."

Steve's s recently released a CD/DVD, "Tormé Sings Tormé," was named the Best Dual Disc Music DVD of 2006 at the EMX/DVD awards show in Los Angeles.

"We are excited about bringing such a talented musician as Steve to Nacogdoches, especially in a tribute to Mel and his music," said John W. Goodall, interim dean of the College of Fine Arts.

Prior to the performance, Dr. Gary Wurtz, SFA assistant professor music and director of the Swingin' Axes jazz band, will give an informative talk at 7 p.m. in Griffith Gallery, located across the hall from W.M. Turner Auditorium. All audience members are welcome.

The concert is sponsored in part by Lehmann Eye Center of Nacogdoches.

Tickets are $30 for A seating, $24 for B seating and $15 for C seating, with discounts available for seniors, students and youth.

For tickets or more information, please visit http://www.sfasu.edu/finearts/ or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.