Natalie Cole to perform in F1 gala dinner

Natalie Cole to perform in F1 gala dinner.

12 March 2008, By Hafidah Samat, New Straits Times.

Grammy-Award winning singer-songwriter Natalie Cole will be staging her maiden performance at Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix Anniversary Gala 2008 gala dinner at Hilton Kuala Lumpur on March 20.

Known for her vocal prowess and natural interpretation of lyrical interpretation Cole, who earned her first Grammy trophy in 1975, will serenade the audience in a 75-minute showcase featuring her classic hits including Miss You Like Crazy, Pink Cadillac, When I Fall In Love and L-O-V-E.

Showtime is at 10.15pm.

Hafez Mohamed from All Sports Services Sdn Bhd, who is the event organiser, said the deal with Cole’s management company came through about a month ago.

“This is the fourth year the company is organising the gala dinner and it gets bigger and grander by the year. We are excited to have Natalie to grace the grand stage this year,” said Hafez.

Accompanied by a 15-member entourage comprising musicians and tour manager, the 58-year-old Cole is expected to arrive from Los Angeles on March 18.

Cole needs no introduction. The daughter of legendary crooner Nat King Cole, she has mesmerised fans all around the world with romantic tunes which largely explored her ever-refreshing musical journeys. Indeed, Cole is a league of her own. She may be well remembered for her 1991 album, Unforgettable ... with Love, which featured arrangements of her late father’s original songs.

Her decision to record the songs proved success; the album sold over seven million copies in the United States alone, and won her several Grammy Awards including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance. The album featured a duet of the title track, with her father created by splicing a recording of his vocals into the track.

Cole has also made guests appearances in a series of TV dramas including Touched by An Angel and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

The gala dinner will feature Malaysia’s very own Melissa Indot as opening act. Hosted by Sepang International Circuit the event is sponsored by Tourism Malaysia and Petronas.

Source : SIC