Humanitarian Award For Johnny Mathis

Johnny Mathis will receive the 15th annual ELLA Award from the Society of Singers.

The award, named after its first recipient, jazz great Ella Fitzgerald, honors entertainers for their professional success and contributions to charitable and humanitarian causes. Mathis, 70, is celebrating 50 years in show business.

He will receive the award Sept. 12 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

"Johnny sings from the heart, with one of the most identifiable voices and individual vocal styles of our time," Jerry F. Sharell, president and chief executive officer of the Society of Singers, which helps professional singers, including those in need, and most recently has launched a project to help professionals in the vocal arts affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Mathis, says Sharell, was "one of the first singers to join SOS — and while he doesn't seek publicity for doing it, Johnny has been hosting and performing at charity events for decades."

Mathis' many hits include "Chances Are," "The Twelfth of Never" and "Wonderful, Wonderful."

Besides Fitzgerald, previous recipients of the award include Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Tony Bennett, Julie Andrews, Placido Domingo, Barry Manilow and Celine Dion.