Justin Guarini (born Justin Eldrin Bell on October 28, 1978 in Columbus, Georgia) is a singer/songwriter, actor who rose to fame in 2002, as the first runner-up on the debut season of the television show “American Idol”. is the 301st day of the year (302nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Columbus is a city in Muscogee County, Georgia, United States. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other article subjects named Jazz see jazz (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... Funk is a distinct style of music originated by African-Americans, e. ... Rhythm and blues (or R&B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Jerry Wexler at Billboard magazine, used to designate upbeat popular music performed by African American artists that combined jazz and blues. ... For other uses, see Pop music (disambiguation). ... The term singer-songwriter refers to performers who both write and sing their own material. ... For other uses, see Actor (disambiguation). ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... A short grand piano, with the lid up. ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... Harry Belafonte singing, photograph by C. van Vechten Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with speech. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony BMG Music Entertainment. ... Justice Entertainment, Ltd is an independent record label created by Justin Guarini. ... is the 301st day of the year (302nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Columbus is a city in Muscogee County, Georgia, United States. ... For other uses, see Singer (disambiguation). ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... For other uses, see Actor (disambiguation). ... American Idol is an annual American televised singing competition, which began its first season on June 11, 2002. ...

His father, Eldrin Bell, is a former Atlanta Chief of Police. His mother, Kathy Pepino Guarini, was a journalist for WTVM TV in Columbus, and later for CNN. Guarini was raised by his mother and stepfather Jerry Guarini in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. This article is about the state capital of Georgia. ... The Cable News Network, commonly known as CNN, is a major cable television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. ... : William Doyle United States Pennsylvania Bucks 2. ...

Music/Performance beginnings

Guarini's music career started at the age of four when accepted by the Atlanta Boy Choir acclaimed for its established reputation as one of the world’s finest boy choirs. After moving to Pennsylvania in 1985, he joined the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Boys Choir. Throughout his school years Guarini sang in school choirs, and in 1996-2000 was the lead soloist in an award winning a cappella group named Midnight Voices. The group released an independent album in 1999 with proceeds benefiting a music scholarship fund at Guarini's alma mater Central Bucks East High School in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. As director/performer at the Riverside Haunted Woods in Bridgeton, Pennsylvania in 2001, he directed over 50 actors in productions, wrote musical scores, performed, and helped build the 25 sets used. The Atlanta Boy Choir, based out of Atlanta, Georgia, was founded by Fletcher Wolfe in 1957, and is currently under the baton of David R. White, Artistic Director and Conductor. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... The Archdiocesan Boy Choir of Philadelphia is a choir of sacred music, and is made up of boys, ages of 7 to 16. ... This article is about the vocal technique. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ...

His high school and college theatre credits include the lead roles in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Little Prince, The Pirates of Penzance, The Taming of the Shrew, and Once on This Island. In addition to singing and stage performing, Guarini plays the piano and guitar. Serge Sudeikins poster for the Bat Theatre (1922). ... рThe Mystery of Edwin Drood was a Broadway musical based on the Charles Dickens novel of the same name. ... Drawing of the Act I finale The Pirates of Penzance, or The Slave of Duty, is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. ... Taming of the Shrew by Augustus Egg The Taming of the Shrew is a comedy by William Shakespeare. ... Once on This Island is a one-act musical with a book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty. ...

After studying vocal performance and theater studies at the University of the Arts (Philadelphia) in Pennsylvania, Guarini later moved to New York City where he attended the School for Film and Television. He worked briefly on Broadway and was recruited by Broadway scouts to join the cast of The Lion King in their master classes before auditioning for American Idol in April of 2002. He was also considering an offer to sign with an independent record label at the time. The University of the Arts (UArts) is one of the nation’s oldest universities dedicated to the arts. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... The School for Film and Television is a two-year professional training program in New York City for actors, focusing on film, television, commercial, Soap opera, and voice over acting. ... For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ... The Lion King is a Tony Award-winning Broadway and West End stage musical based on the 1994 Disney animated film of the same name and is directed by Julie Taymor, portraying actors in animal costumes as well as giant, hollow puppets. ...

Public life

As an unknown amateur, Guarini emerged as a standout during the early round of auditions for American Idol's debut season, ultimately becoming the runner-up to winner Kelly Clarkson in September 2002. Soon after, Guarini signed with American Idol's 19 Management and secured a record deal with RCA. Prior to the American Idol Tour, he was the only contestant asked to appear on "The Oprah Show", where Oprah Winfrey told him, "Justin, you have it". After reviews during the American Idol Tour describing Guarini as a "revelation" (Los Angeles Times), "easily the best performer... whose combination of pipes and persona most deserves a continued place in the spotlight" (Boston Herald), and "the closest thing to a natural in the spotlight" (Indianapolis Star), the multi-talented newcomer's career appeared ready to take off. However, unlike subsequent seasons, Guarini was required to wait until after the release of the winner‘s album before releasing any solo projects or accepting any outside offers. Some known outside offers contractually required to refuse (revealed at separate times by Guarini on his RCA official website, by his parents in on-air interviews, and by his stepfather in the Philly Burb) were a guest role on Friends, the emcee role in Broadway's Cabaret, a major role in the TV series The Fast and the Furious, recording the soundtrack for a film, and modeling for Tommy Hilfiger. Kelly Brianne Clarkson (born April 24, 1982) is an American pop rock singer. ... 19 Entertainment, based in the United Kingdom, is a leading creator and producer of entertainment properties, including American Idol in the United States, Pop Idol in the United Kingdom, as well as versions of the Idol format in more than 30 countries around the world. ... RCA, formerly an acronym for the Radio Corporation of America, is now a trademark owned by Thomson SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Thomson. ... Oprah Winfrey, (born January 29, 1954) is a multiple-Emmy Award winning host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the highest rated talk show in television history. ... This just IN !!!:paris hiltons new dog. ... The Boston Herald is a tabloid newspaper (not to be confused with tabloid press periodicals), the smaller of the two big dailies in Boston, Massachusetts, with a daily circulation of 230,543 in September 2005. ... The Indianapolis Star began publishing on June 6, 1903 and celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 6, 2003. ... For friendship, see friendship. ... Cabaret is a musical with a book by Joe Masteroff, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and music by John Kander. ... Thomas Jacob Hilfiger (born March 24, 1951 in Elmira, New York) is a world-famous American fashion designer and creator of the eponymous Tommy Hilfiger and Tommy brands. ...

His long delayed first project, the self-titled album Justin Guarini, debuted nine months later in June 2003, coinciding with the high profile single releases of the current second season American Idol top finishers, and Simon Fuller's ill-fated movie project, From Justin to Kelly, starring Guarini and Clarkson. The timing further hindered Guarini, while having little impact on Clarkson whose career momentum had been established with ongoing solo projects and individual promotion during the prior months. After a short period of haphazard promotion, Guarini was dropped by RCA. When legally possible, he decided to sever ties with Fuller's 19 Management. Justin Guarini is the 2003 debut album from the 2002 first season American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini. ... Simon Fuller (born May 17, 1960 in Hastings, England) is one of the most important figures in the entertainment business in the world. ... Anika Noni Rose, Katherine Bailess and Kelly Clarkson in From Justin to Kelly. ...

Guarini co-produced his second album Stranger Things Have Happened, independently released in December 2005 through his own production company, Justice Entertainment, Ltd.. The album of reinvented jazz standards was described by AllMusicGuide as "a successful reinvention... where his natural skills shine", and The Philadelphia Inquirer likened Guarini to "an earthier Al Jarreau". Guarini announced the start of production on his third album which will contain original material, described by Guarini as a fusion of jazz/soul/funk. In April 2007, he unveiled a teaser for the song "Eventually", co-written with United Kingdom writer/producer Peter "Boxsta" Martin. Release of a single and a tour is planned upon completion of the album. He has also partnered with BurnLounge, a new digital music service, appearing at its launch convention in Las Vegas in June 2006. Stranger Things Have Happened is Justin Guarinis second album. ... For other uses, see Jazz (disambiguation). ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... The Philadelphia Inquirer is one of a two Knight Ridder newspaper duopoly daily for the Philadelphia area. ... Alwyn Lopez Al Jarreau (born March 12, 1940) is an American singer. ... BurnLounge, Inc. ... For further information, see Las Vegas metropolitan area and Las Vegas Strip. ...

He has also completed music-related projects with other artists. He is a featured vocalist on the smooth jazz/fusion album Foreign Shores by David Hughes (bassist for jazz pianist David Benoit ). Hughes, speaking in an online interview about his album, stated Guarini's participation in the project came about after he was "blown away" when he heard Stranger Things Have Happened (Guarini's jazz album). He described Guarini as "a great musician who instinctively understands what the arrangement calls for on his behalf", and "his improvising is on par with that of a great instrumentalist". David Benoit, (born May 9, 1953) is an American jazz fusion / contemporary jazz pianist, composer and producer, who is from Los Angeles, California. ... Stranger Things Have Happened is Justin Guarinis second album. ...

In other projects, Guarini composed the music for the Hymn Did You Know That I Know Your Journey written by H.H. Gayuna Cealo. The Hymn, first performed by Guarini in Ishikawa, Japan in October 2005, was released in 2006 with proceeds benefiting the child-oriented peace work by the organization Foundation for Global Harmony. Cealo stated that Guarini's "rendition of the Hymn is truly as pure as his heart". He composed the music/lyrics and recorded the song Everlasting for the documentary series Project Everlasting, launched August 2006 and featured on the Today Show. The title track from his album Stranger Things Have Happened is also used in the documentary. The Today Show (officially called Today) is currently, a long-running morning news show airing on the NBC television network in the United States. ...

Acting/entertainment-related projects include Guarini's 2004 role in the pre-Broadway New York Stage and Film Powerhouse Theater workshop/presentation of the musical Good Vibrations at Vassar College. His performance (which included singing, dancing, acting, and playing guitar) landed Guarini an offer to continue the role in the original Broadway production of the musical Good Vibrations, which he eventually declined. He continues to act in independent film projects such as The Unknown: Frankie The Squirrel, Mafioso II: The Son, the drama/action film Fast Girl, and the short film Tilt-a-Whirl for the Dances With Films Film Festival. Vassar College is a private, coeducational, liberal arts college situated in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, USA. Founded as a womens college in 1861, it was the first member of the Seven Sisters to become coeducational. ...

Some of his television appearances include a musical spoof for AMC's FilmFakers (2004), guest host/co-host for shows including Regis and Kelly (2003), VH1's Top 20 Countdown (2004), ManiaTV's U Pick 'Em and Too Short for Hollywood (2006), and the TV Guide Channel (2006) where, in 2007, he was signed as a correspondent/co-host for Idol Chat and Idol Tonight. His role with the network soon expanded to include guest-hosting/appearances on other TV Guide Channel shows, as well as hosting movie premiere specials. He's also a recurring commentator for such shows/networks as the Today Show, MSNBC, Fox News Channel, Style Channel, and Comcast. AMC is a cable television network that primarily airs movies. ... Live with Regis and Kelly is a syndicated American television talk show, hosted by Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa. ... VH1 (VH-1: Video Hits One until 1994 and VH1: Music First until 2003) is an American digital television channel that was created in January 1985 by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, at the time a division of Warner Communications and owners of MTV. VH1 and sister channel MTV are currently... The TV Guide Channel is a television channel that provides, on the bottom one third of the screen, a scrolling grid that lists television channels and the television programs and films currently showing on them. ... For other uses, see Today. ... For the news website, see msnbc. ... Fox News redirects here. ... Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA) is the largest[1] cable television (CATV) company and the second largest Internet service provider in the United States. ...

Advocacy

A music education advocate, Guarini has been a national spokesperson for Support Music Education since 2004, speaking and performing at events such as the annual NAACP Leadership 500 Summit. In March 2005, he was part of a delegation which met with members of Congress, and later performed/emceed at a private gala concert for Congress, their families, and staff. In 2006, he received the NAMM "Music for Life" Award for his work in support of music education. According to the American Music Conference, "[t]he NAMM Music for Life Award, created in 1990, recognizes the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals who play a significant role in promoting music education in the nation's schools and whose dedication to music and music education serves as an inspiration to others." Music education is a field of study associated with the teaching and learning of music. ... The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), is one of the oldest and most influential hate organizations in the United States. ... Type Bicameral Houses Senate House of Representatives President of the Senate President pro tempore Dick Cheney, (R) since January 20, 2001 Robert C. Byrd, (D) since January 4, 2007 Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, (D) since January 4, 2007 Members 535 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political... The NAMM (National Association of Musical Merchants) Show is the largest musical trade show in the world. ...

He has also participated in raising funds for charities such as Habitat for Humanity, Rockers on Broadway, Broadway's Kitchen Sink, Children's World Organization, Foundation for Global Harmony, and various children's hospitals across the country. Official Habitat for Humanity logo Habitat for Humanity is an international, Christian, non-governmental, non-profit organization devoted to building quality, low-cost, affordable housing. ...

Guarini lives in Hollywood Hills, California. The Hollywood Hills, an unofficial designation of part of the City of Los Angeles, California, are part of the eastern section of the low transverse range of the Santa Monica Mountains, which extends from the Los Feliz District and Hollywood, on the south side of the Valley, to Pacific Coast... This article is about the U.S. state. ...

Discography/Music

Albums

• The Midnight Voices (1999)
• Justin Guarini (June 2003)
• Stranger Things Have Happened (December 2005)
• Foreign Shores by David Hughes (July 2007) (featured vocalist)[1]

Justin Guarini is the 2003 debut album from the 2002 first season American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini. ... Stranger Things Have Happened is Justin Guarinis second album. ...

Songs

• Did You Know That I Know Your Journey? (2006)
• Everlasting for documentary Project Everlasting (2006)

External links

Official Sites:

• Justin Guarini Official Website
• Justin Guarini The Justin Guarini Official MySpace (endorsed by J.Guarini)
• From Justin to Kelly Official Website

Biographies/Misc.: MySpace is a social networking website offering an interactive, user-submitted network of friends, personal profiles, blogs, groups, photos, music, and videos. ...

• Justin Guarini Illustrated Bio
• Justin Guarini at the Internet Movie Database

Fan Sites (w/ substantial material/links): The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ...

• Essential Justin Guarini Website
• EssentialJustin at MySpace
• Essential Blog, The
• JIAGNetwork
• JustinHasIt Website

Music: MySpace is a social networking website offering an interactive, user-submitted network of friends, personal profiles, blogs, groups, photos, music, and videos. ...

• Discography w/ audio clips (1999-2007)