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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

November 27, 2012 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Tony Bennett Upcoming Television Appearances

There are two upcoming television appearances by Mr. Bennett.  The Year of Tony Bennett wants to make sure you set your DVR.

Wednesday, November 28 on NBC

Mr. Bennett will be appearing on Christmas in Rockefeller Center, along with many other performers including including Mariah Carey and Rod Stewart.

Thursday, November 29

Tony Bennett will be a guest star on NBC’s 30 Rock!  Story from USA Today.

Sunday, December 9 on Univision

NEW YORK, Nov. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Legendary entertainer and 17-time Grammy Winner Tony Bennett will become the first non-Hispanic celebrity personality to star in a primetime broadcast special on Univision – the country’s leading Hispanic television network.  Set to air on Sunday, December 9th at 10:00pm ET, “Feliz Navidad Con Los Nuestros…Tony Bennett y Sus Amigos” is a unique mix of live performances and filmed vignettes related to Bennett’s newly released CD, VIVA DUETS – which features the singer performing his greatest hits with today’s top Latin music artists.

Hosted by Univision’s Giselle Blondet, the hour-long special will share exclusive behind-the scenes footage from the recording of VIVA DUETS – including studio performances and Segments with Marc Anthony, Romeo Santos, Gloria Estefan, Vicente Fernandez, Thalia, Juan Luis Guerra, Chayanne & more of today’s leading Latin music figures. Tony Bennett will also treat audiences to solo performances of his classic hits “I Wanna Be Around” and “I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” and unveil new duet performances with Latin stars Shaila Durcal and Armando Manzanero. Bennett will join Manzanero on a special rendition of the famed composer’s “Yesterday I Heard The Rain,” and collaborate with Durcal on “Steppin’ Out (With My Baby),” and a heartfelt performance of “Silent Night” to usher in the holiday season.

VIVA DUETS recently debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart, giving Bennett his third consecutive top five album during his ’80’s (including the multi-platinum DUETS and DUETS II releases). Hailed by press as “a sublime & jovial meeting of cultures… a bilingual beauty and musical masterpiece,”  VIVA DUETS also hit #1 on iTunes charts in the U.S. and several  Latin-American countries – including Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and El Salvador.

Tony Bennett commented, “It has been a heartwarming journey to meet and record with all the artists from the Latin music world and I have been overwhelmed by their generous spirit and musicality.  I am truly honored to have been welcomed into this community of artists.”

“We are honored to have a musical legend like Tony Bennett on our air,” ” said Alberto Ciurana, president of Programming & Content, Univision Networks. “His music transcends cultures and speaks to our commitment to celebrate our culture and connect America, which is why we are proud to bring this event alongside an A-list line up of guests to our viewers.”

Filed Under: News, Performances Tagged With: 30 Rock, Christmas at Rockefeller Center, NBC, Univision

September 5, 2012 By Suzanne 1 Comment

Our Visit to Bumbershoot and the Tony Bennett Concert

Photograph by Suzi Pratt, courtesy of Getty Images

My fellow blogger Lesley, her ten year-old son Sam and I had the great pleasure of attending the Tony Bennett concert at the Bumbershoot Festival on Sunday, September 2, 2012 in Seattle, Washington.

The Preparation

We wanted to make sure to get the very best seats we could, and so arrived early and did get wonderful seats. We not only had time to meet interesting people (and tell them about this blog), but got to see the amazing Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, who went played from 1:45 until 2:45. Tony Bennett and the Quartet started at 3:15.

The Quartet on stage during the setup and final piano tuning

The crew at Bumbershoot did a great job switching over from Sharon Jones to Tony Bennett. In addition to the stage crew, the piano tuner was making final checks and each member of the quartet came to check their instruments.

Lee Musiker takes a few quiet moments to review his notes while the crew works and the piano is tuned.

The Concert

When Tony Bennett walked onto the stage, 12,000 people stood and cheered. Bumbershoot is primarily a rock indie music scene. This audience did a have a decent representation of those of us over 45, but the vast majority of those 12,000 people were well under 25 and they were cheering as much as the rest of us. It was long and loud and absolutely wonderful. I lost count of the standing ovations during this concert. But I will say that each and every one was deserved.

My Own Take

This concert was the fifth time that I had seen Mr. Bennett sing in concert and I believe that it was the best of all five of the concerts. He was in magnificent voice, but more than that he seemed to be having a wonderful time out on the stage.

Mr. Bennett has played with the same four musicians each time I have attended a concert: Lee Musiker (piano), Gray Sargent (guitar), Harold Jones (drums) and Marshall Wood (bass). The Quartet has been excellent in each of the those performances, but something extraordinary was happening last Sunday afternoon.  It wasn’t so much the Quartet playing for Mr. Bennett  but the five musicians playing together as a single force, completely and totally in sync and aware of each nuance from every other musician. It was one of those great jazz performances where the music happens so incredibly.

Tony Bennett often talks about how great the Quartet is and that being jazz musicians, it gives them all the opportunity to keep working on numbers and changing the tempos. This was completely in play in this concert. I can tell you from my own personal experience that every concert of Mr. Bennett’s I’ve ever attended is completely different from the others. It’s not just the choice of songs for the set; a song that he’s been singing for decades becomes completely new, with a unique and completely present emotional encounter.

Tony Bennett gives incredibly brave performances, because he is not afraid to show us all how deeply he feels about not just a song, but the deep emotions in himself that happen when he sings those songs. Many of us have trouble expressing emotion even to partners and spouses, much less to an entire audience. When he sang For Once In My Life, it was as powerful a statement of complete love for the person in his life than just words could say.  His willingness to open his heart to the audience is why we love him so much; he gives us so much of himself and we reflect that love right back to him.

Favorite Moments

  • Marshall Wood, laughing. Marshall had a great day last Sunday. I can’t ever remember him smiling that much and it was a joy.
  • Boulevard of Broken Dreams sounding as though it was written yesterday. And yes, it made me cry.
  • Maybe This Time. This song has become my own personal anthem and Tony Bennett’s performance of it just keeps getting better.
  • Gray Sargent’s guitar work on The Shadow of Your Smile. His guitar and Tony’s voice match so beautifully.
  • I’m Old Fashioned.  I’ve enjoyed this song in previous performances, but it was one of the best numbers in this performance. They’ve been working on the arrangement a lot; hard to imagine this sweet song turning into a showstopper, but that’s what it was.  Loved Marshall’s solo.
  • Harold Jones’ drumming in Stepping Out. Superb.
  • But Beautiful.  What can I say? I love songs that make me cry.
  • Smile.  Mr. Bennett’s performance of that song is always perfection.
  • Lee Musiker never taking his eyes off Tony Bennett and directing the quartet, while playing the piano and levitating off the piano bench at the same time. What an incredible musician.
  • Tony Bennett applauding the audience.
  • Tony Bennett telling the audience “We will remember this day for the rest of our lives.”
So will we, Mr. Bennett. So will we.

Afterwards

Every where we went in Bumbershoot after the show, people were talking about this performance.  We would be talking about it, and complete strangers would join in our conversation to talk about a favorite song or a special moment. We went to the food court at the Seattle Center for a quick bite before the drive back to Portland and wound up talking to the young couple at the next table for nearly an hour about the concert. Everyone who went wanted to share the experience.  People, young and old, had been deeply touched by what they had heard and felt compelled to talk about what it all meant to them.

I know that feeling well.  It’s why I started writing this blog.

Tony Bennett is indeed a legend. He is a great singer and a great performer. But in singing to us, he communicates to each of us about life: the good and the bad. But mostly the truth and beauty that is there for us all and, if we allow it for ourselves, he gladly takes us along on that amazing path with him.

The Set List

Watch What Happens
They All Laughed
Maybe This Time
I Got Rhythm
Cold Cold Heart
Sing You Sinners
Stepping Out
But Beautiful
The Way You Look Tonight
Because Of You
Just In Time
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
The Good Life
Once Upon a Time
The Shadow of Your Smile
One For My Baby
For Once in My Life
The Best Is Yet To Come
I Left My Heart in San Francisco
I’m Old Fashioned
Who Cares
Smile
When You’re Smiling

Filed Under: Performances Tagged With: Bumbershoot, setlist

August 31, 2012 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Tony Bennett – Back in North America – August

After a bit of a break, Mr. Bennett starts touring North American cities on August 18, 2012.

August 31 – Ironstone Winery – Murphys, California

https://twitter.com/itstonybennett/status/241910481604984832
https://twitter.com/Joemerkt/status/241931419562156032
https://twitter.com/WongLaura/status/241780389927075840

https://twitter.com/JackieJunkies/status/241646300804833280
August 27 – Royal Theatre – Victoria, British Columbia

Reviews and tweets from another great performance.

Review from the Times-Colonist.

Tweets coming in from the performance:
https://twitter.com/RockinReggg/status/240317506496102400
https://twitter.com/Mgnorty/status/240337649141956609
https://twitter.com/dougjc55/status/240439261441183745
https://twitter.com/coffeecrew/status/240307970162954241
https://twitter.com/coastergrl/status/240313840556969985
https://twitter.com/kaitlynreining/status/240274568177127424

August 25 – Winspear Centre – Edmonton, Alberta

Great review of the concert from the Edmonton Sun, which says “We should keep an eye on this Tony Bennett fellow. He’s going be huge.”

Tweets from the performance:
https://twitter.com/AdamMcGale/status/239561065506168833
https://twitter.com/vik_seth/status/239571881571799041
https://twitter.com/orrelse12/status/239570843649310720
https://twitter.com/sriep/status/239563856094064640
https://twitter.com/Supermena/status/239566855759605761
https://twitter.com/JeffTetz/status/239563692797206529
https://twitter.com/raychkent/status/239562435676221440

August 24 – Southern Jubilee Auditorium – Calgary, Alberta

Review: Tony Bennett: Natural Cool from the Calgary Sun.
Interview with Tony Bennett from the Calgary Herald.

Tweets from the performance (sounds like it was another great performance):
https://twitter.com/WendelinFraser/status/239203209476984833
https://twitter.com/JenRedenbach/status/239199646478635008
https://twitter.com/SweetJ23/status/239199603096956928
https://twitter.com/Browniee79/status/239201347776438273
https://twitter.com/MisterYYC/status/239200971719323649
https://twitter.com/MBolero/status/239130209616551936

August 22 – Centennial Concert Hall – Winnipeg, Manitoba

Concert review from the Winnipeg Free Press (that was quick!)
He’s the coolest cat in the Room, according to the reviewer at the Winnipeg Sun … no argument here.

Tweets from the performance:

https://twitter.com/DoubleEmMartin/status/238490502444498945
(Thanks, Melissa!)
https://twitter.com/ConcertLivewire/status/238458987207593984
https://twitter.com/FarahRiz/status/238435266824663040

Nice article previewing the concert from the CBC-Manitoba.

August 18 – Ravinia Festival – Chicago, Illinois

Once again, Tony Bennett plays Ravinia in Chicago. The Ravinia Festival has been a Chicago musical tradition since 1904. In addition to reserved seats, a large lawn is also available and Ravinia picnicking is legendary. The Chicago Tribune had a nice article about the upcoming concert, where the author wonders if Mr. Bennett will be in as good a voice as he was last year. Based on the incredible reviews from the recently completed European Tour, I’d say Chicago won’t be disappointed.

Review of the concert from the Chicago Tribune: Tony Bennett in Peak Form at 86.

Review from Chicago Music Magazine: Tony Bennett Mesmerizes …  review includes set list.

Lots of tweets coming in from the performance:
https://twitter.com/jhohm/status/237006856546041856
https://twitter.com/MrJckDnvn/status/236991695395356672
https://twitter.com/DMMarlowe/status/237004378714828800
https://twitter.com/tradjazzcat/status/237027295108403200
https://twitter.com/Nick_Sauer/status/236940477864226816
https://twitter.com/laurashley/status/236837649690816513
https://twitter.com/minNAAN/status/237016337627623424
https://twitter.com/seanrsimons/status/236910240073912320
https://twitter.com/Nick_Sauer/status/237031875120615424

Filed Under: Performances, Tour News Tagged With: BC, Calgary, Cananda, Edmonton, Ironstone Winery, Ravinia, Tony Bennett Tour, Victoria, Winnepeg

August 10, 2012 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

The European Tour Concludes – August 2012

August 10 – Harpa Concert House – Reykjavik, Iceland

https://twitter.com/SunnaGunnlaugs/status/234061007616614401 https://twitter.com/EirikurH/status/234055889244524544 https://twitter.com/jarek_pawel/status/233946819086909441

August 8 – Oslo Jazz Festival – Oslo, Norway
https://twitter.com/Kvalshaug/status/233333691441631232
https://twitter.com/IamSivJanna/status/233345597745270784
Article from Oslo’s Dagbladet about the upcoming concert.
https://twitter.com/minalunde/status/233258285975879680

August 6 – Helsinki Music Centre – Helsinki, Finland
This links to a video taken at the concert, posted on FirstPost.
https://twitter.com/Matsku5/status/232543700172013568
https://twitter.com/Matsku5/status/232540838876561408
https://twitter.com/justmilli/status/232590678985699329
https://twitter.com/PoetsOfTheFall/status/232579811514658818
https://twitter.com/Helsinkifinland/status/232395134279487488

August 4 – Cirkus – Stockholm, Sweden
https://twitter.com/roberthaglund/status/232209676861841409
https://twitter.com/JoelWiklund/status/231830267197804544
https://twitter.com/eryqah/status/231830584433995776

August 1 – Admiralspslast – Berlin, Germany
Nice review in the Berliner Morgenpost (finally, my two years of German in college comes in handy!).
https://twitter.com/lloydllawson/status/230756739002281984
https://twitter.com/lloydllawson/status/230725526417969152
https://twitter.com/George_GF/status/230719438649958400

Filed Under: Performances Tagged With: Berlin, Helsinki, Oslo, Reykjavik, Stockholm, Tony Bennett Tour Europe

July 28, 2012 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

The European Tour Continues – July 2012

July 28 – Piazza Napoleone – Lucca Italy
https://twitter.com/camillaaisa/status/229691373719281664
https://twitter.com/LeonardoBoni7/status/229312697437655040
https://twitter.com/marinamacx/status/229374274031476736
July 27 – Monte Carlo Sporting Club – Monte Carlo, Monaco

https://twitter.com/JulianLennon/status/228826391410524160

July 22 – Starlight Festival – La Cantera de Marbella, Spain
https://twitter.com/Ayto_Marbella/status/227360562944802816
https://twitter.com/mangelesdiaz/status/227158767706439680
July 20 – Cap Roig Festival – Cap Roig, Spain
Check this You Tube video from Cap Roig:

July 17 – Kucukciftlik Park – Istanbul, Turkey
Here’s some ticket information.
https://twitter.com/BloombergHT/status/223124972393086976

July 15 – Cavea Auditorium – Rome, Italy

July 13- Jazz à Vienne Festival – Vienne, France

Jazz à Vienne Festival also has a blog. Can’t locate a twitter account, but many are using the #JazzAVienne hashtag.

Tweets from the performance:
https://twitter.com/awmelie/status/223885702440554496
https://twitter.com/LaCatastrofe/status/223903785234333697
https://twitter.com/LaCatastrofe/status/223891550265028609

July 11 – Montreux Jazz Festival – Montreux, Switzerland

Tweets starting to come in from the performance:

https://twitter.com/Hacamourai/status/223162999123361793
https://twitter.com/llplemouv/status/223152316751155201
https://twitter.com/GarnierJules/status/223140043064229888
https://twitter.com/Fluckskywalker/status/223136026619678721
https://twitter.com/MontreuxJazz/status/223137409305554944

Suzanne Chiles on Twitter: "3 hours until @itstonybennett and @AntoniaBennett1 hit the Miles Davis Hall at Montreux. Wish I was there! / Twitter"

3 hours until @itstonybennett and @AntoniaBennett1 hit the Miles Davis Hall at Montreux. Wish I was there!

Montreux Jazz Festival – Daily News 30.06.2012: bit.ly/MlG1Yb #mjf12 #WEmjf
— MontreuxJazzFestival (@MontreuxJazz) July 2, 2012

There is also a Montreux Jazz Festival blog.

July 8 – North Sea Jazz Festival – Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Follow the North Sea Jazz Festival on Twitter @northseajazz
Here’s a review from De Telegraff. In Dutch.

Live tweeting from the performance:

@itstonybennett You’ll find that life is still worth whileIf you just smile… Great set today in North Sea! Congratulation Maestro!

— Agenda Concerti (@AgendaConcerti) July 9, 2012

Watching the wonderful Tony Bennett being rather wonderful. #NSJ12

— Lodewijk Schutte (@low) July 8, 2012

Photo: Standing ovation for Tony Bennett (Taken with Instagram) tmblr.co/Zkd9YyOx9wGg

— Gherry (@Gherry) July 8, 2012

July 7 – Queen Elisabeth Hall – Antwerp, Belgium

Here’s a review of the concert (in Flemish).

Live tweeting after the concert:

What a wonderful concert by Tony Bennett in Antwerp! I’m so glad I had the opportunity to meet Tony! #itstonybennett twitter.com/anschippers/st…

— Alexander Schippers (@anschippers) July 8, 2012

Mr. Tony Bennett was amazing! Will remember this forever!

— Valerie Dehaeck (@legallyblondev) July 7, 2012

Front row seats at Tony Bennett #legend twitter.com/thierrypirsoul…

— Thierry Pirsoul (@thierrypirsoul) July 7, 2012

Articles from the Het Laatste Niweuws and Wattedoen.be.

Going tonight to Tony Bennett in Antwerp! @itstonybennett

— Alexander Schippers (@anschippers) July 7, 2012

July 6 – L’Olympia – Paris, France

Live Tweeting After the Concert:

@itstonybennett en concert a l’Olympia, MAGIQUE… twitter.com/TWDAlexandre/s…

— Alexandre (@TWDAlexandre) July 6, 2012

La légende Tony Bennett à l’Olympia. Mémorable ! @itstonybennett twitter.com/cinedouard/sta…

— Edouard Brane (@cinedouard) July 6, 2012

The great Tony Bennett fb.me/1dmYvUOL7

— Stephane Martin (@smartinarpp) July 6, 2012

Ce soir, a dream coming true: Tony Bennett en concert à l’Olympia.

— Edouard Brane (@cinedouard) July 6, 2012

There’s a Facebook Meetup for the concert in Paris. Wish I could join!

Filed Under: Performances Tagged With: Antwerp, Jazz a Vienne, Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Paris, Rome, Rotterdam, Tony Bennett

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