Line-up

Venue

Benchmark International Arena

401 Channelside Dr., 33602, Tampa, FL, US

www.benchmarkintlarena.com/

Capacity: 21,500

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Additional details

Tour name: Gems World Tour

Doors open: 20:00

Concert in your area for Pop, Funk & Soul, and Classical.

Find out more about Pop.

Josh Groban biography

Josh Groban (born February 27, 1981) is an American multi-platinum, award-winning, classical, pop and operatic singer, hailing from Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Having started life with dreams of acting, it wasn’t until the summers of ’97 and ’98 where he attended the Interlochen Center for the Arts Camp in Michigan that singing became his priority. Groban subsequently studied at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, and Cernegie Mellon University, before dropping out of the latter having been offered a recording contract. Aided by singing at the 1999 inauguration of the Governor of California Gray Davis, a duet with Céline Dion, and a popular appearance in “Alley McBeal”, Groban’s early career went from strength to strength

Following a host of benefit shows including “The Andre Agassi Grand Slam Event for Children” with Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Don Henley and Robin Williams, “Muhammed Ali’s Fight Night Foundation”, and “The Family Celebration”, the singer released his self-titled debut album. The November 2001 release highlighted Groban’s voice as a force to be reckoned with, notably on the singles “Gira Con Me Questa Notte” and “Alla Luce Del Sole”. The album subsequently went double-platinum, earned favourable reviews from critics, and spawned the Adult Contemporary Chart No. 1 “To Where You Are”.

The singer’s classical style and enviable vocal range have led him to perform at a number of high profile events including the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, the Vatican in Rome, Italy, and at the World’s Children’s Day alongside Céline Dion, Nick Carter and Enrique Iglesias. The singer’s sophomore full-length “Closer”, released in November 2003, represented a much more honest and open approach to songwriting and producing than its predecessor. The album ultimately topped the U.S Billboard 200 after debuting at No. 4, aided by the popular singles “You Raise Me Up” and “Remember When It Rained”. Groban built on this success with the release of “Live at the Greek” in 2004, “Awake” in 2006, the Christmas album “Noel” in 2007, “Illuminations” in 2010, and “All That Echoes” in 2013.

Jennifer Hudson biography

Jennifer Hudson (born September 12, 1981) is an American singer, recording artist and actress, best known for her journey on the third season on American Idol and award-wining role in the film Dreamgirls.

Growing up listening to the likes of Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle, Hudson’s excursion into her own musical creativity came singing in her local church choir in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. In 2002 the singer subsequently signed a recording contract with Righteous Records, who ultimately freed Hudson of her contract in 2004 in order for her to appear on the third season of American Idol. After singing Elton John’s “Circle of Life”, and Barry Manilow’s “Weekend in New England” on the show, Hudson had a shock exit from the programme, however gained a significant amount of exposure and proved popular with fans.

In 2005 Hudson was cast as Effie White for the film adaptation of the musical production of “Dreamgirls” over American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino. For her role the singer earned critical acclaim as well as an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. The film’s show-stopping song “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” sung by Hudson later debuted at No. 98 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Following the surprise murder of her mother, brother and nephew by her brother-in-law, Hudson’s debut album was postponed, however finally surfaced in September 2008. The eponymously-titled debut, aided by the popular single “Spotlight” debuted at No. Two on the Billboard 200, featuring guest contributions from Missy Elliot, Robin Thicke, and Timbaland. Hudson’s sophomore album “Remember Me” was issued by Arista Records in March 2011. Once again debuting at No. Two, the album was led by the R.Kelly penned single “Where You At?”, and was notably more upbeat than its predecessor.

Not content to focus solely on her music, Hudon continued to appear in high-profile films including 2008’s “Sex and the City” and “The Secret Life of Bees”, 2009’s “Fragments”, and 2011’s “Winnie Mandela”. After appearances at the 2012 Grammy Awards, the Super Bowl XLVII, and 85th Academy Awards, Hudson released the single “I Can’t Describe (The Way I Feel)” ahead of her third full-length album. “JHUD” arrived in 2014 featuring the contributions of R. Kelly, Pharrell Williams and Timbaland, and reached No. 10 on the Billboard 200.

Live reviews

At first one would think that Josh Groban is just another opera singer whose voice is slightly bigger than everyone else’s, but if you have ever seen him live, you would bite your tongue for having said anything of the kind.

Along with the majestic orchestra he usually has set up, the combination of instruments and his voice puts you in a state of emotional bliss. Wishing and wanting to be able to belt it out the way he does.

His albums, in no way, hint at his personality. Listening to his music, you would think he is quiet, reserved, deep and intelligent. Of which all could be true, however, at a live show Josh Groban shows another side, a louder, funnier, and charming side that you had no idea even existed. Running in to the crowd, singing happy birthday to those who deserve it and making a joke at every opportunity and mind you, the jokes are actually funny. Strangely enough by time the show ends you are left crying because ‘You Raise Me Up’ and ‘You are Loved’ hit you right in the spot, but crying even harder because you’re laughing at all the random things he keeps saying. Wonderful, his performances are simply wonderful.

Anonymous

Jennifer Hudson is clear proof that you don’t need to win a singing competition to prove that you’re a star. The moment she stepped on the stage at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, she carried an aura took me in and held me close throughout the entire set.
From singing the American National Anthem in packed stadiums to the smallest of clubs, it was obvious that the singer, actress and ‘American Idol’ alumna can take on any stage that she’s placed on. However the evening I saw her, she did something that not too many artists can do -- turn a packed 5,600 seater into the most intimate of jazz clubs. No matter where you sat in the theater, you felt like she was talking to you. Between songs, she would talk to the audience about love -- considering most of her tunes are about the topic -- as well as ambition and determination. I mean, let’s face it, she’s proof that dreams can come true.
And we can’t forget that voice. It’s one thing to hear it on a recording, but to witness the power of those vocal chords live is like a religious experience. She doesn’t just sing to you but her voice actually goes through you. Each and every lyric that leaves her lips on songs like "Bleed for Love" and "And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going," the 'Dreamgirls' song that put her on the map, can really bring tears to your eyes as it did mine. With a voice that has been compared to Whitney Houston, she also pays homage to the late songstress by performing at least one of her hits like "Saving All My Love." But of course, Jennifer is not only known for her ballads. She also has a couple of groove tracks that will lighten up the mood. Her newer track, “I Can’t Describe (The Way I Feel),” and “Spotlight,” off her self-titled 2008 record, will make you get up from your seat and sway your hips much in the same way she is doing on stage.
If you need a gig that makes you feel the music, just go to a Jennifer Hudson gig with some tissues, close your eyes and just hear her sing, "Why Is It So Hard?," and it’s honestly cathartic.

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