Eliason Merit Award at the Kodak Theater featuring Robert Wells and his Orchestra on 11/12/05 in LA

Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce goes Hollywood!

 

Red Carpet. Celebrities. Limousines. Press photographers. Champagne. Award winners. – what can this possibly be associated to? No other than the Oscar Gala at the Kodak Theater! The exact same scenario will take place this year November 12 where the 18^th Eliason Merit Award will be presented at the Kodak Theatre in the heart of Hollywood.

 

Each year the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (SACC-GLA) presents the Eliason Merit Award to individuals who have contributed significantly toward strengthening relations between the United States and Sweden in areas of commerce, culture, science, and arts. The award has been named in honor of the late Sven A. Eliason who, through his great contributions to many Swedish-American causes, exemplified the requirements for this award. The SACC-GLA Annual Gala is the most prestigious event of the year in the Swedish-American community and this year’s Eliason Award recipient is Mr. Kent Berg. Mr. Berg is the former Chairman of the Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce–USA and former President of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles. He will be honored for over two decades of dedication to the promotion of Swedish culture in California and abroad.

 

Mr. Berg has a unique combination of multi-national corporate experience, entrepreneurial success and financial funds management. He holds an engineering degree from Gothenburg and has successfully completed the Advance Management Program (AMP81) at Harvard Business School.  His background as Chairman and Board member of Swedish subsidiaries in the US, Canada, France, UK and the BE-NE-LUX has brought him substantial international experience. In 1989, he co-funded Swede-Cal Properties, which owned and managed commercial properties in Southern California. In 1998 he also co-funded SwedeLink California, an investment company specializing in helping small and medium size companies in Southern California. “During Berg’s time as Chairman of the Swedish American Chambers of Commerce-USA, he has effectively developed and promoted commerce, trade and investment between Sweden and the United States,” said Peter Frankl, Chairman of the Eliason Award Committee.

 

To raise the bar an inch more SACC-GLA will combine the Eliason Merit Award with the Rhapsody in Rock Gala with Sweden’s number one entertainer Robert Wells, a world famous pianist, singer and composer. Wells is one of the most cherished artists in Scandinavia and countries like Germany, Spain, Russia, the U.S., Japan and China. He is the star in one of Sweden’s most popular television shows; ‘Name the tune’, a musical quiz show which he also helped create. He has held 16 live concerts on nationwide U.S. television. In China, Robert Wells has performed on all six Chinese television channels simultaneously watched by some 600 million viewers. He is also nominated to write the official song of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Wells has toured the world with his show “Rhapsody in Rock” for more than 12 years. The concert has become Sweden’s tribute to music that has changed the world. On stage Wells rocks with his full symphony orchestra and celebrates music’s historical ride from classical masterpieces into contemporary rock ‘n’ roll combining it with boogie-woogie.  Over 1.3 million people have attended this show worldwide. Other performing artists will be Peter Jöback, who had the lead roles in Miss Saigon and The Witches of Eastwick, and Gunilla Backman, who had lead roles in Mamma Mia, Miss Saigon and Les Miserables.

 

Even though the Rhapsody in Rock concert certainly takes this year’s Eliason Award Dinner to another level, the evening is about honoring Mr. Berg and thanking him for his dedication to the promotion of Swedish business relations and culture in California. The event will certainly be something extraordinary, vibrant and breathtaking this year. Being present at the divine scenery where thousands of celebrities have left their soul prints while walking on the red carpet and through the halls of Kodak Theatre will certainly affect everyone present that night. With excellent entertainment, champagne, and dinner this event will surely impress the crowd and hopefully leave a mark in their hearts that will make them wait eagerly for the 19^th Eliason Merit Award.

PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE

 

 ROBERT WELLS WORLD TOUR COMING TO AMERICA

AFTER CONQUERING EUROPE AND CHINA

American Idol winner Ruben Studdard to join renowned Swedish pianist Robert Wells

and his Rhapsody in Rock concert on stage at the Kodak Theatre and in San Diego

Los Angeles – (LMS) – Following a concert series in China broadcast to 800 million viewers, Swedish mega-star Robert Wells and his Rhapsody In Rock Concert will grace three American stages this November.

Rhapsody in Rock is an infusion of musical genres – classical, jazz, boogie-woogie, rock ‘n roll and blues –- all seamlessly presented and performed by Wells who is often described as "a combination of Elton John and Victor Borge."

With his grand piano and 17-piece orchestra and back-up singers, Robert Wells will perform in Los Angeles and San Diego with special guest Ruben Studdard, one of the nation’s most loved singers and the 2003 winner of the hit television series “American Idol.”  Deemed “The Velvet Teddy Bear” by legendary singer Gladys Knight, Ruben’s smooth style and plush vocals add the essential sound elements to any song.

“Soulful,” Ruben’s double platinum Grammy-nominated debut album went on to win him an NAACP Image Award.  His sophomore album “I Need An Angel” brought Ruben back to his gospel roots.  For this inspirational record, the title song was written and produced by R. Kelly.  Currently, Ruben is in the studio working on his third album due out early next year.

Singer Peter Jöback who starred in the London stage productions of  “Miss Saigon,” and “Witches of Eastwick” joins Studdard on stage and will be performing all three U.S. dates with Wells.

Wells will celebrate music’s historical ride from classical into rock ‘n roll, beginning in Chicago at the Park West on November 10th, continuing to the Kodak Theatre on November 12th^th and culminating with the Civic Theatre in San Diego on November 13th.

“I am privileged that both Ruben Studdard and Peter Jöback are joining me for my concert tour in the U.S.,” said Wells. “It is always an honor to work with great talent.”

In other concerts around the globe, Wells has collaborated with Lionel Richie, famed guitarist Albert Lee, British bluesman Paul Carrack and Irish singer Ronan Keating.  Not since the Swedish invasion of ABBA in the 1970’s and Spain’s Julio Iglesias in the 1980’s has an international star had such a worldwide following.  Over 13 million people have attended his Rhapsody in Rock show worldwide so far this year.

Sweden‘s favorite son rose to prominence in his country at an early age and was a household name by the time he was in his 20’s.  Wells was the first artist ever to play at Stockholm‘s grand Royal Castle.  His Rhapsody in Rock concerts has drawn packed arenas in China, Russia, Australia, Japan, Germany, and Sweden.  He has sold out the Royal Albert Hall in London repeatedly. 

Because of his popularity around the world, Robert Wells has been chosen to compose and perform the music for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The Rhapsody in Rock concert series have been seen by millions of people, broadcast in the U.S. on PBS and to over 800 million people in China via state run CCTV. His CD’s and concert DVD are best sellers, with a string of gold and platinum records to his name.  His latest Rhapsody in Rock CD will be released in December through Virgin-EMI.

Other Facts:
♪  A child prodigy, he was the youngest to graduate from the Swedish Royal Academy of Music
♪  Co-host of Sweden’s hit TV Show "Name That Tune"
♪  Entertainment host to the King of Sweden’s Birthday party last year
♪  As an advocate of music education for children, he often performs free concerts for students

Links:
Discography and info:  http://www.wellsmusic.se
DVD promo reel with excerpts from concerts can be downloaded from:
http://www.dvdstation.se/download/wellspromo.wmv  (for PC)
http://www.dvdstation.se/download/wellspromo.mov   (for MAC)

Robert Wells Rhapsody in Rock US Concert Tour
November 10: Chicago, Park West
November 12: Los Angeles, Kodak Theatre
November 13: San Diego, Civic Theatre                           

Tickets at www.ticketmaster.com and www.kodaktheatre.com

For more information and media credentials, contact

Susanne Wigforss at (213) 760-7603 or swigforss@aol.com