TOM BACK TO SING THE GREATS
ONE of Australia’s most accomplished performers is bringing his Great American Songbook to the Gold Coast.
Tom Burlinson, who gained national and international fame starring in 1981’s The Man from Snowy River, will premiere a new show with an orchestra at The Star Gold Coast.
The 63-year-old singer hasn’t performed on the Coast since 2016 but is no stranger to the area, keeping a holiday apartment in Burleigh Heads.
“I’m not quite a local but I spend a lot of time here during school holidays and holiday time with my family,” he said.
“Normally in my shows I work with a big band. This one has a big band and a string section, so that’s a new development for me.
“I’m looking forward to that, particularly singing the lovely ballads with that accompaniment. I’ve decided not to do songs I’ve done in other shows.”
The songs Burlinson has decided on this time are the “timeless classics” of the music world, hits from Broadway and the silver screen. Among them are songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Nat King Cole. And he’s done his research – Burlinson said he collected pages of information on each of the performers and songs he’s chosen for the show.
“We all know they were great musical geniuses but I’ve tried to put a more human perspective in what I say between the songs,” he said.
Tom Burlinson’s Great American Songbook will premiere at The Star Gold Coast on May 25.