Enduring popularity: American R&B and soul singer Peabo Bryson will perform in the music show In the Spotlight in Ha Noi and HCM City. — File Photo

HA NOI  (VNS) — American R&B and soul singer Peabo Bryson, who won two Grammy awards, will perform in Ha Noi and HCM City in September.

He will perform during the music show series In the Spotlight at the Viet Nam National Convention Centre in Ha Noi on September 12 and at Hoa Binh Theatre in HCM City on September 18.

Bryson is well-known and loved in Viet Nam. Most Vietnamese audiences would be reminded of his all-time great duets with pop divas, including Tonight I Celebrate My Love featuring Roberta Flack; Beauty and the Beast, the duet that brought Celine Dion to stardom; A Whole New World from the Disney animated film Aladdin, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US.

Now in his 60s, Bryson remains one of the artists with the busiest performing schedules.

He will join forces with music directors Dwight Watkins and Hong Kien to bring the audience classic ballads that will bring back memories for many listeners.

As with all In the Spotlight performances, the concert will honour the career and talent of the artist, with the presence of American musicians and the In The Spotlight orchestra. It will also feature duets, in which Bryson will perform with Vietnamese female singers Uyen Linh, Van Mai Huong and Duong Hoang Yen.

Started in 2012, In the Spotlight has featured Vietnamese pop stars such as My Linh and Trong Tan. It highlights the work of acclaimed composers, singers and other musicians who have influenced music and culture both nationally and internationally.

The producers of In The Spotlight have decided to bring the concert to a higher level by combining international and Vietnamese artists. It wasn't as easy to prepare for the concert this time, as Bryson's crew had many requirements for its Vietnamese partners.

"We see this as a rare opportunity to learn from world class artists, to raise the artistic quality of our concerts to another level, and to upgrade myself too," musician Kien said. "We hope that, with our efforts, the concert will be well-received."

Bryson said when he received an invitation from My Thanh Company to join a series of live concerts in Viet Nam, he was very interested and surprised.

"I came to Viet Nam about 45 years ago, and I could not wait to come back," he said. "Your country must have had many major changes after several decades. This time, we are going to have a long journey, including all the preparation and practising and the two performances. I hope to have enough time to discover the beauty of your country and Vietnamese people. I can't wait."

Tickets are available at www.mythanh.com.vn/shows. — VNS