This year marks the 100th Birthday of Judy Garland and who better to celebrate it than Rufus Wainwright. Back in 2006 the singer/songwriter recreated Garland’s April 23, 1961, concert, often considered “the greatest night in show business history”. Garland’s 1961 double album, Judy at Carnegie Hall, a comeback performance with more than 25 American pop and jazz standards, was highly successful. garnering five Grammy Awards (including Album of the Year, Best Album Cover, Best Solo Vocal Performance – Female
Waiwnrghts sold-out tribute concerts at Carnegie Hall to Garland gave birth to “Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall” his sixth album (and first live album) which was also recognized by the Grammy Awards, earning a 2009 nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Now Wainwright has released Rufus Does Judy at Capitol Studios – an all-new performance of his groundbreaking tribute to Judy Garland, Recorded last year at Los Angeles’ famed Capitol Studios – arrives via BMG on Friday, June 10, just in time for Garland’s big birthday
It was first presented last year as a virtual Livestream concert event, Rufus Does Judy at Capitol Studios sees Wainwright using the very microphone Garland herself used while making her own historic recordings at Capitol Studios, backed by a four-piece jazz ensemble before a micro-audience comprised entirely of 2x Academy Award-winning actress Renée Zellweger, winner of 2020’s “Best Actress” Oscar for her spectacular performance as Garland in 2019’s Judy. Among the concert’s many highlights is a special duet rendition of “Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy” performed alongside award-winning Concord recording artist Kristin Chenoweth, as well as the show-stopping “The Man That Got Away” and “Puttin’On The Ritz,” both joined by official live performance videos streaming now via YouTube.
Wainwright will further celebrate Garland’s centenary with a pair of exclusive live residencies, Rufus Does Judy at City Winery, set for City Winery in New York City (June 5, 7, 8, 10) and Chicago (June 16-17). Wainwright performs two shows each night, joined by special guests Laura Benanti (June 5), 2022 Tony Award-nominee Sharon D Clarke (June 7), Mx Justin Vivian Bond (June 8), and Molly Ringwald (June 10. Early sets will cover songs from “When You’re Smiling” to “San Francisco,” while late shows will feature “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” to “Chicago,” with additional surprise numbers during both sets. For complete details rufuswainwright.com/tour.
