Raquel Bitton French jazz singer, Actress and playwright Raquel Bitton is recognized as the foremost singer of French music in America today and has been internationally reviewed as the greatest interpreter of the music from the Edith Piaf repertoire. RAQUEL was Born in Marrakech, Morocco and immigrated to the United States when she was a young teenager in 1970. Raquel Bitton performs her one woman hit show Piaf – Her Story, Her Songs, and” A little bit of Paris (Paris in the Jazz age) at notable concert halls across North America including three sold out performances at Carnegie Hall and major Symphony Halls around the US and Canada. She has recorded 7 CD's to date and recently released Boleros, a French/Latin Jazz recording which has been on many top 10 play lists across the US and Canada. Ms. Bitton is the star, creator and artisitic director of the award winning Docu-Concert film, Piaf – Her Story, Her Songs. Raquel's new project is a play that sings commissioned by Tony Award winning Theatreworks,entitled “The Sparrow and the Birdman” which celebrates the longlife friendship of the French poet Jean Cocteau and Edith Piaf. She is also credited with the concept and scenario of Hearts (Le Ballet des coeurs), a full length Ballet, choreographed by Michael Smuin and performed by the San Francisco Ballet at the Opera House and the Washington Ballet at the Kennedy Center for which Ms. Bitton was the featured singer, accompanied by a full Symphony. Raquel Bitton resides in the San Francisco Bay area. www.raquelbitton.com. What the Critics said: Interest in legendary French singer EDITH PIAF surges. Edith Piaf revival lead by French Jazz singer RAQUEL BITTON On the subject of Piaf..You are no doubt over qualified from your clips and the sound of your CD (The Golden album). Your CD is terrific and I will be glad to say so." Liz Smith, New York Newsday "Passion is at the core of the "Piaf" Persona, in this case there is a surrogate, she is RAQUEL BITTON." Anna Kisselgoff., New York Times EDITH PIAF: HER STORY HER SONGS is unlike any other film we have presented. In short, it was a phenomenon. The film can easily stand by itself, but having Ms. Bitton in person for the Q&A makes for an electric evening. Vivacious, charming, witty, she personally connects with the audience creating a unique dynamic. My only wish is that she was involved with every film we present…we could benefit from her energy and enthusiasm. What a talent! The film played before a sell-out crowd at FLIFF's Miami Mini Fest creating the the need for three additional screenings. It then went on to sell-outs in Weston, Delray Beach and Fort Lauderdale. The distributor who lands this film has a potential gold mine. Gregory von Hausch, President & CEO.Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival PIAF: HER STORY, HER SONGS (Unrated ) 4 stars. Tears flowed down my eyes through at least half of Piaf: Her Story, Her Songs, a documentary about the famous French chanteuse. Not that it is a particularly sad film. It's just that Edith Piaf's life, expressed mostly in her songs, is full of the passion that stirs all kinds of emotions. French singer Raquel Bitton feels an equal passion for Piaf. Bitton's show of the same name as the film was critically acclaimed in New York. More than just singing Piaf's songs, though she emulates her style and voice, Bitton becomes a storyteller, weaving that inseparable tapestry of Piaf's songs with her life. Bitton casts a moving figure in her little black dress and short hair. Piaf: Her Story, Her Songs is a fine tribute to an unforgettable singer. M.Barber, Miami Herald "The great French jazz singer Raquel Bitton has fashioned interpretations of Piaf's songbook that are the best thing since,well,Piaf herself sang them." Janice Page, Boston Globe September 11 2004 Thank goodness Raquel Bitton has taken up the cause for reviving Edith Piaf's mystique and talent as a singer and a performer. Although Edith Piaf (1915-1963) is a popular name in the French music genre, her special performing talent is at risk for suffocation, especially for the generations who have grown up without knowing much about the amazing person Piaf was during her hey-day. Bitton's revival of Piaf's life and work is an accompaniment to the feature length movie of the same name now showing in artist circles and film festivals. It's Bitton's passion to keep the candle of the little sparrow's memory alive, a feat she easily takes on as her repertoire of Piaf's songs is lively, charming and portrays a deep understanding for the way Piaf would like to be remembered in her music. Raquel Bitton returns Piaf to life, as though the singer never left us prematurely in 1963. Although Piaf's hallmark La Vie en Rose is one of the selections on this CD, the sparkle in this rendition of Piaf's work comes through Bitton's selections of other highly entertaining songs, especially Mon Dieu, an invocation evocative of Piaf's painful biography. I highly recommend Bitton's portrayal of Piaf's songs, especially for those who enjoy chantons en française. Ms L'Heureux www.Mainewriter.com Part documentary, part stage performance, this entertaining look at French chanteuse Edith Piaf tells her story through a terrific theatrical presentation by singer Raquel Bitton, who literally becomes Piaf while singing, but steps back and tells her story - in English - between the mostly French songs. Archival photos of Piaf illustrate her life of lucky breaks and tragedy. But some of the film's best moments are of Bitton and friends happily discussing Piaf over food and wine at a Paris bistro. (E.S.) Boston ONLINE "I consider the screening of the Piaf Documentary-concert one of the most memorable events of my 26 years at the Denver International film festival. I predict a great success for the film. I can't tell you how many people came up to me after the screenings raving about the film and Raquel's (What charming woman!) touching performance. I think you have a hit on your hands. Congratulations!" Ron Henderson, Director Denver Film Society "It was a pleasure to present the film at the Rafael film center, which is distinguished not only by your fine performance of Piaf's repertoire, but also by strong technical and production values. The audiences for both screenings were extremely enthusiastic. It is unusual that the entire audience stays for the QandA,but this was the case both evenings followed by over a thousand people attending the screening at the Castro theatre in San Francisco a few weeks later." Richard Peterson, Director of Programming CA Film Institute & host of Mill Valley Film Festival Everyone is still talking about the performance and the film; it was truly an event that will long and well be remembered! Ken Eisen, Maine International Film Festival