'United in Song: Celebrating the Resilience of America': Full List of Performers from Patti LaBelle to Juanes and Yo-Yo Ma
It's that time of the year again when the countdown for a new set of 365 will begin with bated breaths. But instead of bar hopping or breaking a leg or two at your favorite night club, you'll be cooped up in the cozy warmth of your home and be forced to flip through TV channels for some source of entertainment. Come to think of it, this year is a getting your money's worth for all New Year's Eve events that airs on the night of December 31 across networks. The reason? Not only will party recluses and introverts watch the special, but most of the general populace is expected to tune in tonight.
Perhaps why PBS has such a striking line up for its list of performers on its New Year's special entitled 'United in Song: Celebrating the Resilience of America'. According to the official synopsis given by the channel on their website, the event "encourages our nation to come together and celebrate our irrepressible strength as Americans. From the enormity of COVID-19 to the significant presence of social injustice, this special evening brings us together in the ever-present pursuit of our uniting as one America." Read on to find out who all are taking center stage on the special tonight.
Joshua Bell
The conductor and violinist's career spans across four decades. He holds the title of having performed with almost every major orchestra in the world, as he continues to play as a soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, conductor, He is also the Music Director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
Renée Fleming
The celebrated singer is an American operatic soprano, known for performances in opera, concerts, recordings, theater, film, and at major public occasions. Flemming's full lyric soprano voice has been a signature for all esteemed and prestigious events across the nation.
Denyce Graves
Another celebrated opera singer, Graves is known and critically acclaimed for having performed across four continents. The operatic mezzo-soprano is commended for her "expressive, rich vocalism, elegant stage presence, and exciting theatrical abilities allows her to pursue a wide breadth of operatic portrayals as well as delight audiences in concert and recital appearances," noted her website.
Jean-Yves Thibaudet
The French pianist will take the stage to woo audiences the way he has been doing since the age of seven. Born to non-professional musical parents, Thibaudet has over 50 recordings by now and was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame in 2010.
Yo-Yo Ma
The American cellist, who was born in Paris to Chinese parents and later educated in New York City, has been playing since the age of four and a half. The child prodigy has recorded more than 90 albums and received 18 Grammy Awards.
Anna Deavere Smith
The American actress, playwright, and professor is most popularly known for her roles as National Security Advisor Dr. Nancy McNally in 'The West Wing' (2000–06), hospital administrator Gloria Akalitus in the Showtime series 'Nurse Jackie' (2009–15), and as US District Court Clerk Tina Krissman on the ABC show 'For the People' (2018–19).
Audra McDonald
The actress and singer known for her Broadway work is the recipient of six Tony Awards. McDonald has more performance wins than any other actor, her contemporaries or otherwise. She is also the only person to have won in all the four acting categories.
Brian Stokes Mitchell
The actor and singer is known for his strong baritone voice. As one of the central leading men of the Broadway theatre since the 1990s, Mitchell has won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2000 for his performance in 'Kiss Me, Kate'.
Patti LaBelle
One of the most iconic artists in her field, LaBelle is an actor, singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. With a career than kickstarted in the 1960s as lead singer and front woman of the vocal group, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, LaBelle is commonly identified as the 'Godmother of Soul'.
Juanes
Full name Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez, the Colombian musician and singer-songwriter was a member of the rock band Ekhymosis. In 2000, his solo debut album 'Fíjate Bien' won three Latin Grammys and since his debut, Juanes has sold 15 million albums worldwide.
In addition to the stellar lineup, the members of the National Symphony Orchestra, the American Pops Orchestra, and many more will be seen flooring the audience at the event that will air on the PBS network and stream on the Live V section of their official website on December 31, at 8/7C.
