Tag Archives: Nat King Cole

Camila Cabello Releases Cover of Bing Crosby’s Holiday Classic “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”

Posted on by
Reply

Camila Cabello is getting into the holiday spirit…

The 25-year-old Mexican Cuban singer and current The Voice coach has released her rendition of the holiday classic “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”

Camila CabelloIn Cabello’s version of the classic track — which was originally performed and released by Bing Crosby in 1943 to honor soldiers stationed overseas during World War II — she gives it an update with a Latin flare through the use of a big band and romantic, acoustic guitar to flesh out the instrumental.

“I’ll be home for Christmas/ You can plan on me/ Please have some snow and mistletoe/ And presents by the tree/ Christmas eve will find me/ Where the love light gleams/ I’ll be home for Christmas,” Cabello effortlessly sings the song’s defining chorus.

Cabello previously delivered her “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” cover on two separate occasions last year for her performance at the White House for In Performance at the White House: Spirit of the Season and for Michael Bublé’s Christmas in the City.

“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is far from Cabello’s first foray into holiday tunes — in 2021, she teamed up with her then-boyfriend Shawn Mendes for a cover of Nat King Cole’s Christmas classic, “The Christmas Song,” which served double duty as a fundraiser for Feeding America.

Dailyn Rodriguez Adapting “Tropicana Nights: The Life and Times of the Legendary Cuban Nightclub” for Television

Posted on by
Reply

Dailyn Rodriguez is preparing for some hot Havana nights…

The Cuban American television writer and producer and Queen of the South showrunner is teaming up with Keshet Studios, to adapt Tropicana Nights: The Life and Times of the Legendary Cuban Nightclub by Rosa Lowinger and Ofelia Fox.

Dailyn Rodriguez

Tropicana Nights, which is in the vein of Moulin Rouge, Cabaret and Casino, tells the story of the notorious Cuban nightclub in the 1950s, when the club provided a fun, vibrant, wildly entertaining safe haven for those looking to escape the political unrest and persecution on the streets of Havana.

It centers on the love story and partnership between the club’s owners Martin and Ofelia Fox, who tirelessly fought to preserve their paradise under the stars against various threats, including rival club owners, the mafia and Cuban revolutionaries.

The El Tropicano night club, which opened in 1939 and is still open today, played host to greats such as Nat King Cole and party goers included Marlon Brando, Ernest Hemingway, Rita Hayworth and J.F.K.

Keshet Studios’ president Peter Traugott tells Deadline that the project came out of a general meeting with Rodriguez, who has also written on series including Fox’s Fantasy Island reboot and ABC’s Ugly Betty.

“It’s a spectacularly beautiful space that still exists today. But when you peel it back a bit, [the Tropicana] was this kind of safe-haven for people who didn’t fit in, people from all over the world –people of different colours, sexualities, genders and whatever was going in beyond the walls was left behind,” he said. “It’s a really crazy love story at the centre with this backdrop and at it centre its exploring lots of issues that are still relevant.

Rodriguez added, “I’ve wanted to write about the Tropicana for years. My mother used to tell me amazing stories about the shows she and my father saw there, so this dynamic, special world is close to my heart.”

Keshet Studios is now taking it out to market.

Jesús López to Receive Desi Arnaz Pioneer Award at the La Musa Awards

Posted on by
Reply

Jesús López has a pioneering spirit…

The chairman and CEO of Universal Music Latin America and Iberian Peninsula will receive the Desi Arnaz PioneerAward at the seventh annual La Musa Awards from the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.

López, who is responsible for Universal Music Groupoperations in all Spanish and Portuguese-speaking territories of the world, will receive the recognition for his many contributions throughout his professional career. 

The Desi Arnaz Pioneer Award was created by the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame in honor of the early television visionary, songwriter and entertainer, who developed the iconic comedy show I Love Lucy, which he produced and starred in with his wife, Lucille Ball.

For more than four decades, López has worked with some of the greatest artists in Latin music, including Juan Luis Guerra, Juanes, José Luis Perales, Joan Manuel Serrat, Mecano and Juan Gabriel. Most recently, he has launched the careers of Karol Gand Sebastian Yatra, among many of a new generation of acts. Lopez was also behind the global hits “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee and J Balvin’s “Mi Gente,” which were pivotal in the current explosion of Latin music.

Lopez’s roster of international hits also includes Los del Rio’s “Macarena,” “La Camisa Negra” by Juanes, and “Bailando” by Enrique Iglesias featuring Descemer Buenoand Gente de Zona.

Previous recipients of the award include Quincy Jones, Nat King Coleand Raul Pablo Alarcon Sr. 

The La Musa Awards ceremony will take place on October 24 at the James L. Knight Centerin Miami. This year’s class of inductees includes Ivy Queen, Willie Colón, Michael Sullivan, Chico Novarroand Armando Larrinaga.

Buika to Perform “Besame Mucho” at the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame

Posted on by
Reply

Buika will be helping honor one of the most recognizable Spanish-language ballads of all time…

Buika

The 40-year-old Afro-Spanish singer, who earned rave reviews after performing two songs in Pedro Almódovar’s 2011 film The Skin I Live In, will perform “Besame Mucho” at the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame’s first induction gala.

Buika and an orchestra of top musicians will perform the song – which was written by the Mexican composer Consuelo Velasquez in 1940 and performed by artists including the Beatles and Frank Sinatra, in addition to a number of Latin stars – before it receives the Hall of Fame’s La Musa award.

In addition, the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame will induct Manuel Alejandro, Jose Angel “Ferrusquilla” Espinosa, Jose Feliciano, Julio Iglesias, Armando Manzanero and Concha Valdez Miranda as the first-ever songwriters to be added to the recently created hall of fame.

Additionally, Olga Guillot, Draco Rosa, Nat King Cole, Desi Arnaz, Ralph S. Peer and emerging Spanish singer/songwriter Natalia Jimenez will receive recognition for their contribution to the music industry.

Rubén Blades, Cristian Castro, Natalie Cole and Rosa are among the artists set to perform at the black tie event, celebrating the rich past and current popularity of Latin song.

The event will take place on April 23rd at the New World Center in Miami Beach during the Billboard Latin Music Conference.