For immediate release: March 20, 2009

BLOOMSBURG — Frank Sinatra fans will enjoy an evening with Steve Lippia in "Simply Sinatra," featuring a repertoire of Ol' Blue Eyes' standards and presented as part of Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania's Celebrity Artist Series Friday, April 3, at 7:30 p.m., in Carver Hall, Kenneth S. Gross Auditorium.

"Simply Sinatra" is a celebration of some of the 20th century's best-loved popular music, including pieces by Cole Porter, Sammy Cahn and Rodgers and Hart. Backed by his 16-piece band, Lippia moves from swing tunes to lush ballads, introducing a new generation to this timeless music while appealing to long-time listeners. His song list includes Sinatra standards "I've Got You Under My Skin," "The Lady is a Tramp" and "Come Rain or Come Shine."

Lippia has performed with symphonies across North America, including those in Toronto and Hilton Head, N.C., and the Louisiana Philharmonic. He has headlined to standing-room-only crowds at the Birdland Jazz Club in New York City, backed by the Nelson Riddle and Woody Herman orchestras, and performed in a European jazz festival tour that resulted in a nationally televised special on Finnish TV. Lippia has released two CDs - a self-titled studio album recorded with a 41-piece symphony orchestra and "Steve Lippia Live." He expects to release his third CD later this year.

All programs in the Celebrity Artist Series' 23rd season are being presented in Carver Hall, Kenneth S. Gross Auditorium while Haas Center for the Arts is renovated. Tickets for all events are $20 for adults and $10 for BU students and children under 12.

For information on the Celebrity Artist Series lineup or to purchase tickets, contact the box office, temporarily located in the Carver Hall lobby, at (570) 389-4409 or www.bloomu.edu/today/celebrity.php.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 8,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Professional Studies, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.