Ravinia 2026 Issue 6

HUNTERPAVILION 8:00 PM FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 , 2026 TOM JONES TOMJONES Legendary Welsh singer and performer Sir Tom Jones continues to sustain a remarkable career, built up over six decades with more than million records sold. A timeless discography of hit songs and enduring talent and charisma keep Jones, at age , an in uential gure in music, even earning some of the most e usive acclaim of his career for his latest Ethan Johns– produced albums Surrounded by Time ( ), Long Lost Suitcase ( ), Spirit in the Room ( ), and Praise & Blame ( ). Born in the mining town of Pontypridd, South Wales, Jones quit school at an early age, working various odd jobs before getting his start as a member of a local band called e Senators, later forming his own group, Tom Jones and e Squires, gigging in local clubs and pubs. In the early s, he signed with Decca Records, kickstart- ing international fame with his powerful voice and dynamic stage presence. His string of hit songs—including “It’s Not Unusual,” “What’s New Pussycat?” “Delilah,” and “Green, Green Grass of Home”—soared alongside his – cross-continental TV show is Is Tom Jones . With a fundamental interest in a wide range of music, Jones worked with dozens of iconic collaborators over the years, ranging from Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin to Van Morrison, Dolly Parton, and Ed Sheeran. e hits, collab- orations, and true rhythm and blues soul have led to numerous honors and accolades, includ- ing a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in , multiple Brit Awards, the Silver Clef and Music Industry Trusts Awards, and a Hitmaker Award from the US Songwriters Hall of Fame. Jones has also acted in lms such as Tim Bur- ton’s Mars Attacks and Playhouse Presents: King of e Teds for Sky Arts. Beyond touring, Jones keeps active in the music business as a longtime coach on e Voice UK and a frequent contrib- utor at such events and broadcasts as the Musi- Cares th Anniversary (honoring Bob Dylan), the th Grammy Awards, and numerous char- itable causes. His autobiography Over the Top and Back is a bestseller, and his latest album, Surrounded by Time , made him the oldest male to hit number one on the UK Albums Chart with new material. Tom Jones previously played Ravinia in , , , and . RAVINIA.ORG • RAVINIAMAGAZINE 77 ROBINCLEWLEY