Caterina Valente
Encyclopedia
Caterina Valente is a singer, dancer, and actress. She was born into an Italian
artist family; her father Giuseppe was a well-known accordion
player, her mother, Maria Valente, a musical clown
. She had three siblings, of whom Silvio Francesco was also active in show business.
. Soon afterwards she achieved great success with songs such as "Malagueña", "The Breeze and I
", and "Dreh dich nicht um" with the Werner Müller
orchestra. In 1955 she was featured on the "Colgate Comedy Hour" with Gordon MacRae
. In the mid 1960s, Valente worked with Claus Ogerman
and recorded material in both Italian and English that he arranged/conducted and/or composed on the Decca and London labels
. Between 1966 and 1972 she was a frequent guest on the Dean Martin Show
. In 1972, she married the British pianist Roy Budd
; they had a son, Alexander, but they divorced in 1979.
In Germany
she was a major performer of Schlager
music. There she recorded Cole Porter's I Love Paris
under the German title Ganz Paris träumt von der Liebe, which sold more than 500,000 copies in 1954.
Over the years, she has recorded or performed with many international stars, including Louis Armstrong
, Chet Baker
, Perry Como
, Ella Fitzgerald
, Benny Goodman
, Woody Herman
, Claus Ogerman
, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
, Sy Oliver
, Buddy Rich
and Edmundo Ros
. In 1959 she was nominated for a Grammy Award
.
Valente was a principal, along with Carol Burnett
and Bob Newhart
, on the short-lived CBS
variety series The Entertainers
(1964–65).
A briglia sciolta, the Italian jazz CD recorded in 1989 and re-released in later years under the titles Fantastica and Platinum deluxe, is Valente’s best selling CD worldwide. In 2001, she released a new album, Girltalk, with harpist Catherine Michel.
, having sung in twelve different languages. After her first musical successes, she acted in the movie Mannequins for Rio (1954) and has performed in fourteen additional films. She also plays the guitar and tap dances.
In 1958 she filmed the musical comedy Hier bin ich – hier bleib ich (Here I Am, Here I Stay) which featured a guest appearance by Bill Haley & His Comets
. During Haley's segment, Valente duets with Haley on a newly recorded version of his song "Vive la Rock and Roll".
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
artist family; her father Giuseppe was a well-known accordion
Accordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
player, her mother, Maria Valente, a musical clown
Clown
Clowns are comic performers stereotypically characterized by the grotesque image of the circus clown's colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish costumes, unusually large footwear, and red nose, which evolved to project their actions to large audiences. Other less grotesque styles have also...
. She had three siblings, of whom Silvio Francesco was also active in show business.
Life and career
In 1952 she married the juggler Erik van Aro (Gerd Eric Horst Scholz). He recognized her talent and accompanied her in her initial years of worldwide success, although they later divorced. Their son is the singer Eric van Aro, Jr. In 1953, she made her first recordings with Kurt EdelhagenKurt Edelhagen
Kurt Edelhagen, born 5 June 1920 in Herne, died 8 February 1982 in Köln, was a major European big band leader throughout the 1950s.After having studied clarinet and piano in Essen, he set up his multicultural big band, which over the years would include many big names in jazz in Europe, including...
. Soon afterwards she achieved great success with songs such as "Malagueña", "The Breeze and I
The Breeze and I
"The Breeze and I" is a popular song.The song is based on a Spanish language song, "Andalucia." The music to the original song was written by Ernesto Lecuona, with Spanish lyrics by Emilio de Torre; the English language lyric was written by Al Stillman....
", and "Dreh dich nicht um" with the Werner Müller
Werner Müller
Werner Müller is a Swiss sprint canoer who competed in the early 1950s. He finished 16th in the K-2 10000 m event at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.-References:*...
orchestra. In 1955 she was featured on the "Colgate Comedy Hour" with Gordon MacRae
Gordon MacRae
Gordon MacRae was an American actor and singer, best known for his appearances in the film versions of two Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, Oklahoma! and Carousel and films with Doris Day like Starlift.-Early life:Born Albert Gordon MacRae in East Orange, New Jersey, MacRae graduated from...
. In the mid 1960s, Valente worked with Claus Ogerman
Claus Ogerman
Claus Ogerman is a German musical arranger/ orchestrator, conductor, and composer, best known for his works with Antonio Carlos Jobim, Frank Sinatra and Diana Krall.-Life and work:...
and recorded material in both Italian and English that he arranged/conducted and/or composed on the Decca and London labels
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
. Between 1966 and 1972 she was a frequent guest on the Dean Martin Show
Dean Martin
Dean Martin was an American singer, film actor, television star and comedian. Martin's hit singles included "Memories Are Made of This", "That's Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You", "Sway", "Volare" and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?"...
. In 1972, she married the British pianist Roy Budd
Roy Budd
Roy Frederick Budd , was a British jazz musician and composer, known for his film scores.Born in Mitcham, Surrey, Budd became interested in music from an early age and had built up a vast musical repertoire by the age of eight...
; they had a son, Alexander, but they divorced in 1979.
In Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
she was a major performer of Schlager
Schlager
Schlager music is a style of popular music prevalent in Central and Northern Europe and the Balkans and also in France and Poland. In Portugal, it was adapted and became pimba music...
music. There she recorded Cole Porter's I Love Paris
I Love Paris
"I Love Paris" is a popular song written by Cole Porter and published in 1953. The song was introduced by Lilo in the musical Can-Can.Was the title of Michel Legrand's most popular album, which included an orchestral arrangement of the song...
under the German title Ganz Paris träumt von der Liebe, which sold more than 500,000 copies in 1954.
Over the years, she has recorded or performed with many international stars, including Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
, Chet Baker
Chet Baker
Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker, Jr. was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and singer.Though his music earned him a large following , Baker's popularity was due in part to his "matinee idol-beauty" and "well-publicized drug habit."He died in 1988 in Amsterdam, the...
, Perry Como
Perry Como
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
, Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
, Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
, Woody Herman
Woody Herman
Woodrow Charles Herman , known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd," Herman was one of the most popular of the 1930s and '40s bandleaders...
, Claus Ogerman
Claus Ogerman
Claus Ogerman is a German musical arranger/ orchestrator, conductor, and composer, best known for his works with Antonio Carlos Jobim, Frank Sinatra and Diana Krall.-Life and work:...
, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
Tommy Dorsey
Thomas Francis "Tommy" Dorsey, Jr. was an American jazz trombonist, trumpeter, composer, and bandleader of the Big Band era. He was known as "The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing", due to his smooth-toned trombone playing. He was the younger brother of bandleader Jimmy Dorsey...
, Sy Oliver
Sy Oliver
Melvin "Sy" Oliver was a jazz arranger, trumpeter, composer, singer and bandleader...
, Buddy Rich
Buddy Rich
Bernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.-Early life:...
and Edmundo Ros
Edmundo Ros
Edmundo William Ros OBE was a Trinidadian musician, vocalist, arranger and bandleader who made his career in Britain. He directed a highly popular Latin American orchestra, had an extensive recording career and owned one of London's leading nightclubs.- Life :Ros was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad...
. In 1959 she was nominated for a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
.
Valente was a principal, along with Carol Burnett
Carol Burnett
Carol Creighton Burnett is an American actress, comedian, singer, dancer and writer. Burnett started her career in New York. After becoming a hit on Broadway, she made her television debut...
and Bob Newhart
Bob Newhart
George Robert Newhart , known professionally as Bob Newhart, is an American stand-up comedian and actor. Noted for his deadpan and slightly stammering delivery, Newhart came to prominence in the 1960s when his album of comedic monologues The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart was a worldwide...
, on the short-lived CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
variety series The Entertainers
The Entertainers
The Entertainers was a one-hour American variety show that aired on CBS from September 25, 1964 through March 27, 1965 on the 1964–1965 United States network television schedule. The series, produced by Joe Hamilton, featured three stars, Hamilton's wife Carol Burnett, Caterina Valente, and Bob...
(1964–65).
A briglia sciolta, the Italian jazz CD recorded in 1989 and re-released in later years under the titles Fantastica and Platinum deluxe, is Valente’s best selling CD worldwide. In 2001, she released a new album, Girltalk, with harpist Catherine Michel.
Other information and film career
Valente is a true world citizen and a polyglotPolyglot (person)
A polyglot is someone with a high degree of proficiency in several languages. A bilingual person can speak two languages fluently, whereas a trilingual three; above that the term multilingual may be used.-Hyperpolyglot:...
, having sung in twelve different languages. After her first musical successes, she acted in the movie Mannequins for Rio (1954) and has performed in fourteen additional films. She also plays the guitar and tap dances.
In 1958 she filmed the musical comedy Hier bin ich – hier bleib ich (Here I Am, Here I Stay) which featured a guest appearance by Bill Haley & His Comets
Bill Haley & His Comets
Bill Haley & His Comets was an American rock and roll band that was founded in 1952 and continued until Haley's death in 1981. The band, also known by the names Bill Haley and The Comets and Bill Haley's Comets , was the earliest group of white musicians to bring rock and roll to the attention of...
. During Haley's segment, Valente duets with Haley on a newly recorded version of his song "Vive la Rock and Roll".
Awards (not complete)
- 1961 Bravo Otto BravoBravo (magazine)Bravo is the largest teen magazine within the German-language sphere. The first issue was published in 1956, subtitled as "the magazine for film and television" . Marilyn Monroe's portrait graced the first published issue, the never-published dummy issue cover displayed Elvis Presley.-History:The...
Category „Female singers“ Gold (also 1960, 1962 and 1963 in Silver) - 1964 "Europremio" European TV Award, Venice,Italy
- 1965 „O Globo“ (Brazil) best foreign singer of Latin American music
- 1965 "FAME Award" American TV Award, USA
- 1968 Bundesverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse "1st class cross of merit" Germany
- 1972 "Officier de l'éducation artistique" Officer of artistic education, Paris, France
- 1986 „Großes Bundesverdienstkreuz der Bundesrepublik Deutschland“ Grand cross of merit, Germany
- 1966 Goldene Kamera Germany
- 1990 Bambi Germany
- 1991 Goldene EuropaGoldene EuropaThe Goldene Europa award is the oldest German Television award for artists and entertainers. It was awarded from 1968 to 2003. In the years 1989 and 2001, there were no ceremonies...
„Lifetime-Award“ in Saarbrücken, Germany - 1995 Bambi „Lifetime-Award“ Germany
- 1998 Platin Romy Lifetime Award, Austria
- 2002 Echo „Lifetime-Award“ Germany
- 2004 "Premio GABARDI" Lifetime Milano, Italy
- 2005 BambiBambi (prize)The Bambi - Deutschlands Wichtigster Medienpreis, often simply called Bambi Awards and stylized as BAMBI, are presented annually by Hubert Burda Media to recognize excellence in international media and television "with vision and creativity who affected and inspired the German public that year",...
Honorary-Bambi Germany
United States
- The Hi-Fi NightingaleThe Hi-Fi NightingaleThe Hi-Fi Nightingale is an album from Caterina Valente. Released in the US .This album includes her big hits Malagueña and The Breeze and I.-Side 1:# The Breeze and I # If Hearts Could Talk# Temptation# The Ecstasy...
, 1956 - Olé Caterina, 1957, (Decca DL-8436)
- Plenty Valente!, 1957, (Decca DL 8440)
- A Toast To the Girls, (Decca DL 8755)
- Schlagerparade, (Decca DL 8852)
- More Schlagerparade, (Decca DL 4035)
- À La CarteÀ la carteÀ la carte is a French language loan phrase meaning "according to the menu", and used in* A reference to a menu of items priced and ordered separately, i.e. the usual operation of restaurants * To order an item from the menu on its own, e.g...
- Caterina Valente Sings In French, (Decca DL 4050) - Arriba!Arriba!Arriba! is an album from Caterina Valente, featuring Silvio Francesco, released in the US, 1959. It's sung in Spanish.-Track listing:Side 1:1. QUIZAS,QUIZAS,QUIZAS2. CHA-CHA-CHA FLAMENCO3. LA MUCURA4. UNA AVENTURA MAS5. AQUELLOS OJOS VERDES...
, 1959 - The Greatest... in Any Language!, (Decca DL 4052)
- Golden Favorites, (Decca DL-4504)
- Rendezvous with CaterinaRendezvous with CaterinaRendezvous with Caterina is an album from Caterina Valente. Released in the US in the late 1950s maybe.-Track listing:#Fever#I'm in Love# Bimbombay# Passion Flower# En Ukraine# Forever New# Eh! Oh!# Blue Train# Non E Cosi...
, (Decca)
- Caterina Valente & Edmundo Ros Orchestra: Fire & Frenzy, 1960
- Classics with a Chaser, 1960, (RCA Victor LPM-2119)
- Super-Fonics, (RCA LSP-2241)
- Great Continental Hits, 1962. Decca
- South Of The BorderSouth of the Border (Caterina Valente album)-Side B:# La Flor De La Canela# Cachita# Oracion Caribe# La Cigarra# Franqueza# Donde Esta Corazon-Source:* on a Japanese? site....
, 1963. - Valente In Swingtime, 1963. Teldec
- Caterina Valente's Greatest HitsCaterina Valente's Greatest HitsCaterina Valente's Greatest Hits is an album from Caterina Valente. Released in UK , with Werner Müller & His Orchestra.This album includes her big hits Malagueña and The Breeze and I....
, 1965. Decca - The Intimate Valente, 1966. Decca
- Strictly U.S.A., (London LL 3307)
- Songs I've Sung on the Perry Como ShowSongs I've Sung on the Perry Como ShowSongs I've Sung on the Perry Como Show is an album from Caterina Valente. Released in the US.-Side 1:# Make Someone Happy# You're Following Me# More Than Likely# Couci Couca# Corcovado# Blue Moon-Side 2:# Falling In Love With Love...
- I Happen to Like New York, (London LL 3362)
- Valente & Violins, 1964. (London 3363)
- Sweet Beat, (London PS 536)
- Valente on T.V.
- Love, 1972. (London Phase 4), Stereo
Brazil
- Serenata d'AmoreSerenata d'AmoreSerenata d'Amore is an album from Caterina Valente with Silvio Francesco and Kurt Edelhagen and His Orchestra, released in Brazil in the 1950s.-Track listing:Side 1:1. TIPITIPITIPSO2. É SEMPRE BELLO3. PUPA PICCOLINA4. MAI-MAI-MAISide 2:...
- A Poliglota da CançãoA Poliglota da CanÇão-Track listing:Side 1:1. GRANADA2. THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD3. TEMPTATION4. IF HEARTS COULD TALKSide 2:1. A SUNNY DAY2. SIMILAU3. CHANSON D'AMOUR4. SING, BABY, SING-Source:* on on February 15, 2007....
- Caterina - A Cosmopolita, Polydor 46065
- Caterina Valente com Edmundo RosCaterina Valente com Edmundo RosCaterina Valente com Edmundo Ros is an album from Caterina Valente. Released in Brazil, with the Edmundo Ros Orchestra.-Track listing:# "Frenesi"# "Adios"# "Saudade da Bahia"# "Contigo en la Distancia"# "Misirlou"# "Recado"# "Baião"...
Argentina
- Una Cita Con Caterina Valente (A Date With Caterina Valente), Polydor 24011, 10 inch LP
- Olé, Caterina!, (Polydor 25019)
- Un Brindis para las Muchachas, (Polydor 25048)
- Bueno... Clásico... y Popular! (Classics with a Chaser), (RCA Victor LPM-2119)
- Classics with a Chaser, (RCA Victor LPM-2119)
United Kingdom
- Caterina Valente & Edmundo Ros: Nothing But Aces, Decca 4157
- Great Continental Hits, Decca LK 4508
- Valente In Swingtime, 1963. Decca SKL 4537
- I Happen to Like New York, Decca LK 4630
- Caterina Valente's Greatest HitsCaterina Valente's Greatest HitsCaterina Valente's Greatest Hits is an album from Caterina Valente. Released in UK , with Werner Müller & His Orchestra.This album includes her big hits Malagueña and The Breeze and I....
, 1965 - The World of Caterina Valente, 1971. Decca SPA 192
Australia
- I Happen to Like New York, World Record Club S/4384, 196?
- Great Continental Hits, World Record Club, 196?
- The Best of Caterina Valente, SUMMIT Karussell SRA 250-548 (on the cover)/2430 032 (on the label)
Germany
- Plenty Valente!, 1957. Polydor LPHM 43.037
- A Date With Caterina Valente, Polydor 45 517
- Olé Caterina!, Polydor 46 029 LPHM
- Weltschlager mit Caterina Valente, 1959. Polydor Sonderauflage Bertelsmann J 53503, 10 inch LPLP albumThe LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
- Ihre großen ErfolgeIhre großen ErfolgeIhre großen Erfolge is an album from Caterina Valente. Released in Germany some time in the 1960s. It's a collection of hits.This album includes her big hits Malagueña and The Breeze and I.-Track listing:Side 1:...
- Konzert für Frack und Petticoat - Classics with a Chaser, RCA LSP-2119
- Super-Fonics, RCA LSP-2241
- Caterina Valente & Edmundo RosEdmundo RosEdmundo William Ros OBE was a Trinidadian musician, vocalist, arranger and bandleader who made his career in Britain. He directed a highly popular Latin American orchestra, had an extensive recording career and owned one of London's leading nightclubs.- Life :Ros was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad...
: Latein Amerikanische Rhythmen, DECCA BLK 16184-P - Caterina in Italia, Decca BLK 16211-P
- Caterina on Tour, Decca BLK 16213-P
- Caterina Valente & Silvio Francesco: Deutsche Evergreens, Decca SLK 16 189 P
- Pariser Chic, Pariser Charme, Decca SLK 16266 P
- I Happen to Like New York, Decca SLK 16 290
- Wenn es Nacht wird in den Städten, 1965. Decca SLK 16 345
- Portrait in MusicPortrait in MusicPortrait in Music is an album from Caterina Valente. Released in Germany.-Track listing:Side 1:1. Corporation2. L´ame Des Poetes3. Just One of Those Things4. Kismet5. Melodie D'Amour6. Tico-Tico7. Take the "A" Train...
, Decca SLK 16 420-P - Happy Caterina, Decca SLK 16485-P
- Die großen Erfolge (Decca ND 103, Stereo)
- Schlager, Lieder & Chansons, Decca ND 182
- Schlager, Lieder & Chansons 2, Decca ND 557
- Caterina Valente & Edmundo Ros: Olé Mambo, 1969. Decca 79 505
- Caterina Valente & Edmundo Ros: Latin together, Decca SLK 16849-P
- Ich wär' so gern bei Dir, Decca 6.22003
- The Best Of Caterina ValenteThe Best of Caterina ValenteThe Best Of Caterina Valente is an album from Caterina Valente. Released in Germany .This album includes her big hits Malagueña and The Breeze and I.-Track listing:Side A:...
, Polydor 184047 - Tanz mit Catrin, HÖR ZU TELDEC HZT 514
- Ganz Paris träumt von der Liebe - Caterina Valente singt ihre WelterfolgeGanz Paris träumt von der Liebe - Caterina Valente singt ihre WelterfolgeGanz Paris träumt von der Liebe – Caterina Valente singt ihre Welterfolge is an album from Caterina Valente. Released in Germany, .This album includes her big hits Malagueña and The Breeze and I.-Track listing:Seite 1...
, 1970. - Bonjour KathrinBonjour KathrinBonjour Kathrin - Caterina Valente präsentiert ihre größten Erfolge is an album from Caterina Valente. Released in Germany, 1965.-Track listing:Side A:1. Ganz Paris Träumt Von Der Liebe 2. Tipitipitipso...
, 1965 - Bonjour Kathrin, Karussell 635 106
Japan
- Cosmopolitan Lady, 10 inch LP
- Caterina Latin AlbumCaterina Latin AlbumCaterina Latin Album is an album from Caterina Valente. Released in Japan , with Werner Müller & His Orchestra.The album includes her big hit "La Malagueña".The album cover is a laminated scalloped flipback picture sleeve.-Track listing:Side 1...
, 1963 - De Luxe Latin Album, 1966
South Africa
- Latein Amerikanische Rhythmen, 1960
- Du bist Musik, 1956 (45106 LPH - Polydor Sternchen)