A talented young musician following in the footsteps of the greats such as Frank Sinatra is set to perform a charity gig in Burton to raise cash for his own CD.
Wil Pearson, of Foss Road, Hilton, is set to take to the stage at the National Brewery Centre, in Horninglow Street, from 7.30pm on Saturday, September 16.
The singer and pianist will be putting on a show performing the classics to raise money to put towards meeting some of the costs of recording a top quality album.
Wil has just finished studying his final year of A-levels at John Port School, in Etwall, and this academic year he is taking an internship with Hot House Music Schools, which has been educating young musicians in the Midlands since 2002, to try to further his career in the music industry.
The 18-year-old has performed at many venues in and around Burton, and staged a one-man Frank Sinatra tribute in 2015 at the Brewhouse Arts Centre, in the town, which raised £400 for Macmillan Cancer Support
Last year Wil organised a concert at the National Brewery Centre to raise funds to tour New York and New Orleans, in America, which led to seeing him perform at the annual International Jazz Education Conference.
On Saturday he will be is undertaking yet another big concert featuring him singing with the Screaming Kicks Big band. However, this year, the money will be going towards funding the recording of a new CD of Wil and the live band.
In 2016 he recorded his first solo album in a Manchester studio which was jam packed with songs originally performed by some of his vocal idols and these CDs will also be on sale at the concert.
Wil said the concert itself should be an fantastic night out. He told the Burton Mail: "There's going to be plenty of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Michael Buble songs so expect a lively night with one of the best bands in the country. I'm hoping to raise as much money as possible so hopefully there will be a packed audience."
All proceeds from ticket sales and CD sales will go towards meeting some of the costs of recording the new album. Tickets for the concert cost £10 for adults and £6 for under 18s and are available from National Brewery Centre box office on 01283 532880.
Who was Frank Sinatra?
There are not many people who won't be familiar with the name Frank Sinatra - but how much do you know about him?
Born Francis Albert Sinatra in New Jersey, in 1915, the artist is one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century after making a name for himself as an award-winning singer and film actor. His career blossomed as a solo artist, as well as being part of the Rat Pack alongside the likes of Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.
Sinatra made his acting debut in 1943 with the films Reveille with Beverly and Higher and Higher, and won a special Academy Award for The House I Live In in 1945.
He was hugely popular in the war years but his popularity began to wane after the war was over. It was 1953 when he made a triumphant comeback, winning a best supporting actor Oscar for his portrayal of the Italian-American soldier Maggio in From Here to Eternity.
Some of his best-known songs include New York New York, Strangers in the Night and, of course, My Way
By the mid-1960s he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The father-of-three died in 1998 but his memory, and his music, live on.
