HIS VOICE CANNOT BE SILENCED-HAPPY 96th BIRTHDAY!

An incomparable singer of American popular standards, country, blues, Broadway and film, big band, children’s songs, songs, seasonal, and jazz recently turned 96 and became the oldest vocalist ever to release a new album that may very well win him another Grammy Award with Lady Gaga. However, the process was not without its challenges in dealing with Tony Bennett’s dementia condition which has forced him into retirement; but not before he incredibly managed to recall all the lyrics, music, and nuances in presenting two fabulous televised concerts at Radio Hall with Gaga. The power of music on one’s memory bank never ceases to amaze me. Another observation I have made over the last several decades Appears to create some of their very best work in the twilight or autumn of their years; namely George Shearing with Mel Torme, Stephane Grappelli, Rosemary Clooney, Mark Murphy, Shirley Horn, Joe Williams, Marian McPartland, and Anthony Dominick Benedetto, our guest of honour.

Tony is also a very prolific painter, who has some of his paintings shown in galleries, including his portrait of Duke Ellington in the Smithsonian Museum in New York. He finally wrote a fine lyric to a standard by guitarist legend, Django Reinhardt, ‘Nuages’, and called it ‘All For You on his ‘The Art of Romance’ recording in 2004. He also had a cameo role in a forgotten movie called ‘The Oscar’ which starred Ernestine Borgine. It might also be noted that several books have been written by or about he also served his country in World War 2; and was ordered to dig up unmarked graves of deceased soldiers after having befriended a black soldier. He subsequently marched with Martin Luther King Jr. to Selma as an activist.

Many of Tony’s albums have been tributes to some of his heroes, including Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Fred Astaire, Jerome Kern, George & Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, Rodgers & Hart, Duke Ellington, Cy Coleman, and the inner child in all of us (The Playground). This is a voice that should not and cannot ever be silenced-long live the great Tony Bennett.

ESSENTIAL TONY BENNETT ALBUMS

1. Jazz (CBS 1987) -various cuts from 1954-1965 with Stan Getz, Count Basie, Ralph Sharon, etc.
2. The Playground (CBS 1998) with Elmo, Kermit the frog, Rosie O’Donnell
3. The Tony Bennett-Bill Evans Album (Fantasy 1975)
4. Tony Bennett & Bill Evans …Together Again (Improv 1976)
5. Perfectly Sinatra (CBS 1992)
6. Look For The Silver Lining (Sings Jerome Kern) with Bill Charlap Trio (CBS 2015)
7. Sings For Two (CBS 1959) with Ralph Sharon
8. Sings Rodgers & Hart (Improv 1973)
9. Here’s To The Ladies (Sony 1995)
10. Love For Sale (sings Cole Porter) (CBS 2021) with Lady Gaga – last album?
11. Cloud 7 (CBS 1954) with Chuck Wayne
12. Bennett Sings The Blues (CBS 2001) with Billy Joel, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles
13. Sings Ellington – Hot & Cool (Sony 1999) with Wynton Marsalis and Al Grey
14. The Art Of Romance (CBS 2004)
15. Artist’s Choice – Music That Matters (Hear Music/Sony/Starbucks 2003) -various influences like Bing Crosby, Art Tatum, Billie Holiday, Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Mel Torme, and Doris Day
16. Steppin’ Out (Sony 1993) (a tribute to Fred Astaire)
17. Life Is Beautiful (Improv 1975)
18. Cheek To Cheek (CBS 2014) with Lady Gaga
19. Love Is Here To Stay sings Gershwin) (Verve 2018) with Diana Krall & Bill Charlap Trio
20. Bennett/Berlin (CBS 11987) or Sings A String of Harold Arlen (CBS )
21. The Beat of My Heart (CBS 195?) with Art Blakey, Chico Hamilton, Jo Jones, Candido