Kokova Magazine

Hampton Court Palace Festival will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary in June 2012 with a wonderful line up of music artists from the Rock, Pop, Jazz and Classical world.

Historic Royal Palaces and PWR Events are delighted to announce the first of the artists confirmed to perform in the stunning open-air courtyard of King Henry VIII’s Palace, taking place from 13th to 24th June 2011. Tickets are on sale from 5pm on Thursday 12th January.

Katie Melua, one of Britain's most successful artists of the last decade, who's sold more than 11 million albums, will delight festival-goers with familiar favourites such as Closest Thing To Crazy and Nine Million Bicycles, as well as performing songs from her new album Secret Symphony, due for release in March.

Legendary Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons will perform their first concert in the UK for 18 years at Hampton Court Palace Festival.

This eagerly awaited concert will give fans the chance to hear many of the classic hit songs played live, such as: Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like A Man, Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You, Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye), December 1963 (Oh What A Night) and Grease.

Festival favourite, Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra will also make a triumphant return, delighting crowds on a summer's evening.

Caro Emerald, who recently appeared on Jools Holland's Annual Hootenanny, will make her Festival debut this year with her eclectic style of ballroom jazz, cinematic tangos, groovin' jazz and infectious mambos with songs from her platinum-selling album Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor.

In addition to the music, Hampton Court Palace Festival is renowned for creating a truly unforgettable experience.

Artists perform in the historic main courtyard of the magnificent Tudor Palace providing an intimate atmosphere for an audience of 3,000.

Corporate hospitality is available in the State Apartments and Festival-goers can also arrive early (doors open at 1730) and enjoy a delicious picnic courtesy of Jamie Oliver's Fabulous Feasts, in the stunning Palace gardens.

To hear further announcements please register on www.hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com
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"This is a festival that offers everything - a wonderful selection of music, a thrilling all-star line-up and a beautiful and historic setting." Classic FM Magazine.

Artists Biographies

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons - Saturday 23rd June

Musical hero and rock-'n'-roll icon Frankie Valli brings his live show to the UK after an 18 year break.

Frankie Vallie & The Four Seasons have had 71 chart hits, including: 40 in the Top 40, 19 in the Top 10 and eight No.1's came during the 1960s.

His songs have appeared in movies such as The Deer Hunter, Dirty Dancing and Mrs Doubtfire and as many as 200 artists have done cover versions of Can't Take My Eyes Off of You.

Jools Holland and His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra - Friday 15th June Featuring Gilson Lavis and guest vocalists Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall. Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra will once again provide the highlight of our summer concerts.

With an impressive 37 series of Later with…Jools Holland under his belt, as well as 18 years of Hootenanny, BBC2's New Year's Eve countdown, Jools remains the most popular pianist and bandleader in the UK today, and was honoured with an OBE in 2003 for his contribution to the British music industry as both musician and presenter.

Caro Emerald - Thursday 21st June
Caro Emerald has rocketed to success in a very short space of time. Her second only show in Britain sold out at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire last year, and she wowed a 20,000 strong audience at the Radio 2 Live In Hyde Park concert.

Her appearance on Jools Holland’s Annual Hootenanny on BBC2 this New Year further propelled her rise to fame. Inspired by films and music from the 40's and 50's, Caro's repertoire features an original infusion of ballroom jazz, cinematic tangos, groovin' jazz and infectious mambos that sound like they were recorded in Holywood's golden age.

Katie Melua - Friday 22nd June
Her first two albums, Call Off The Search and Piece By Piece both became international number ones with singles such as The Closest Thing To Crazy and Nine Million Bicycles becoming airplay hits around the world.

Her next album Pictures secured Katie's place as one of Britain’s most successful artists of the new millennium.

Katie was on an exciting, record-breaking rollercoaster ride involving several massive world tours, numerous awards and many special moments - like playing on stage for Nelson Mandela with the band Queen, dining at Buckingham Palace with HRH the Queen, becoming a British citizen, performing a gig at the bottom of the North Sea, walking the Great Wall of China and playing at London’s vast O2 Arena.

In May 2010 she released The House album has garnered some of the finest notices of her career and topped Billboard's pan-European charts.

The first single The Flood was described by Radio 2's Janice Long and the Daily Telegraph as "the best thing she's ever done." and The Times described it as "Her best yet". Whether performing with her band or on her own with just her guitar Katie Melua's voice is instantly recognisable and, with a unique and magical quality, is nothing short of astonishing.

March 2012 will see the release of Katie's fifth studio album Secret Symphony an exquisite collection of songs that perfectly showcases that unique, instantly recognisable voice. "On this record I simply wanted to find beautiful songs and to really sing my heart out".

Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, KT8 9AU
www.hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com