Latin tribute to MIchael Jackson airs on PBS on Oct. 9
buzzz worthy. . .
“UNITY – THE LATIN TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON” TO PREMIERE ON PBS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
– Latin Artists Bring New Life, Rhythms to Hit Songs –
– Concert Hosted by Sheila E. Launches Fifth PBS Arts Fall Festival –
– Special to be Followed by 28th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards –
ARLINGTON, VA; September 10, 2015 – Iconic songs will be heard like never before – with inventive, energetic and distinctively Latin twists – when PBS premieres UNITY – THE LATIN TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON on Friday, October 9, 2015 at 9:00 p.m. ET (check local listings). Hosted by the legendary percussionist Sheila E., the concert special features 10 of Jackson’s greatest hits interpreted by award-winning Latin artists with a 37-piece orchestra, and kicks off the fifth annual PBS Arts Fall Festival.
UNITY – THE LATIN TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON is the passion project of Peruvian-born, Miami-raised producer/multi-instrumentalist/arranger Tony Succar. The special features live performances of the Latin-infused arrangements featured on Succar’s chart-topping album also titled “Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson.” Signature Jackson songs like “Smooth Criminal,” “I Want You Back,” “Billie Jean” and others showcase musicians from across Latin America brought together by Succar to celebrate and reimagine the iconic song catalog. Among the performers are Jon Secada, Angel Lopez, Michael Stuart, Obie Bermúdez, Jennifer Peña, Kevin Ceballo, Judith Hill and Jean Rodriguez, among others. The concert was taped in Miami in July.
“We are kicking off the fifth annual PBS Arts Fall Festival with a truly unique and special musical performance. Sheila E., Tony Succar, and all of the featured artists bring tremendous energy and talent to the stage, and you have never heard Michael Jackson’s songs sound quite like this,” said Donald Thoms, Vice President of Programming for PBS and festival curator. “UNITY – THE LATIN TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON is a marvelous testament to the diversity of art and performances being created in the U.S., and we are delighted to showcase that diversity on PBS.”
“The Unity Project began as an homage to Michael, and to underscore the key messages I always associated with his music: unity and love. These themes drive the album and the concert, and the resulting music has been remarkable,” said Succar. “Every song is true to the essence of the original, but I predict viewers will be inspired to find new moves in their living rooms as salsa and other Latin beats drive their favorite songs.”
The album Unity: The Latin Tribute To Michael Jackson, debuted on three simultaneous Billboard Charts after its first week of release in April, including #1 Latin Tropical, #3 World and #11 Heatseekers. The album is a joint project between Universal Music Classics, Universal Music Latin Entertainment and Universal Music Mexico.
