Just the Two of Us - ´óÏó´«Ã½ ONE's duet singing showdown starts Thursday 23 February 2006
Curtis Stigers and Penny Smith
Curtis Stigers is at the forefront of a new generation of jazz singers.
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With one of the most distinctive voices in music, the singer/
songwriter and saxophonist has been celebrated for a wide variety of
accomplishments over a wide career.
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Curtis had early pop chart success with several
top ten hits and hit albums. He appeared on the soundtrack
to the smash film The Bodyguard and was named
as the Sunday Times Jazz CD of the Year for You Inspire Me.
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He has toured
the world in concert with Elton John, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt
and Prince, while also sharing the bill with such jazz greats as Nancy
Wilson, Randy Brecker and Toots Thielmans.
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Curtis says jazz is "my niche, my speciality".
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However,
he also comments: "I
have a great love and an eclectic knowledge of a wide array of songwriters
and musical genres, and I know how to bring them all together into one
cohesive sound."
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Curtis draws from all areas of music and has an interest
and a knowledge in rock, alt country, urban blues, folk music and punk
rock.
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But his partner Penny is more of an opera buff!
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Penny Smith is one of Britain's most recognised television
presenters, probably best known as the main presenter for GMTV News.
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She has been at GMTV for the last eight years and regularly
fronts GMTV on the sofa and The News Hour.
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Penny started singing when
she was around ten years old in the church choir. She also used to
sing at folk clubs which she loved.
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Penny took part in Celebrity
Stars in their Eyes in 1998 where she performed as Debbie Harry but
it wasn't her happiest experience – as she recalls
it was "a total nightmare!"
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In fact, she later
told her GMTV colleague Kate Garraway that "if I ever say yes to a
singing programme again then shoot me!"
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Kate's
been quick to remind her!
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