The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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RIP Marian McPartland

The Year of Tony Bennett joins jazz fans everywhere in mourning the passing of one of the greats: Marian McPartland.

She did it all: masterful pianist, composer, entertainer, educator, author and host of the impeccable NPR program Piano Jazz. After a detour to rock music in college, Marian’s program on NPR brought me back into the fold of jazz music and I never left again. She made jazz relevant to new generations of fans with Piano Jazz; we all owe her our gratitude.

Tony Bennett and Marian McPartland

In memory of Marian, we include this link to her session with Tony Bennett on Piano Jazz.

Updated

Links to some of the many obituaries that have been written for Marian:

New York Times

National Public Radio

Los Angeles Times

Chicago Tribune 

The London Guardian

Washington Post

Voice of America

The Atlantic Monthly

 

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Tony Bennett and Piano Jazz


Tony Bennett’s 2004 visit to Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz was replayed this week. If you haven’t heard this episode of this very fine program, you can listen to it here.

I’ve been listening to audio version of Marian McPartland’s book, All In Good Time. Ms. McPartland reads her own book, which makes it even more special. The book is available from Audible.

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Watch What Happens

The Song of the Day for August 7, 2012, is the lovely Watch What Happens written by Michel Legrand (music), with English lyrics by Norman Gimbel and French lyrics by Jacques Demy, from the 1964 film The Umbrellas of Cherbourgh. Tony first recorded this song in 1965 for If Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set.

Improv album cover for Tony Bennett The McPartlands and Friends Make Magnificent Music, recorded live 1977

Today, we feature a version from an Improv album: Tony Bennett/The McPartlands and Friends Make Wonderful Music, recorded live at the Statler Hilton in Buffalo, NY on May 13, 1977. The musicians on this album are the best. In addition to Tony’s usual trio of Torrie Zito (piano, musical direction), John Giuffrida (guitar), and Joe Cocuzzo (drums), this performance features Marian McPartland (piano), Jimmy McPartland (cornet, trumpet), George Reed (drums), Brian Torff (bass), Vic Dickenson (trombone), Herb Hall (clarinet), Spider Martin (saxophone), Buddy Tate (saxophone) and Charlie Byrd (guitar).

Have a listen … and watch what happens.

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Tony Bennett on National Public Radio

I think NPR loves Tony Bennett, as they have archived a treasure trove of interviews.  Here are some of my favorites.

This story by Scott Simon, Tony Bennett’s Art of Intimacy, was played on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday on November 4, 2011 is a favorite of mine. It’s an extended interview that covers his vocal training right after the war, how he addresses singing at the age of 85, and some special words about the people he collaborated  with in Duets II. Good interview, nice clips from the album, and very nicely produced. Click here to listen.

In the same  time period, Tony visited the NPR studios and sang two songs, accompanied by Lee Musiker. Click here to view this small concert.

And an extended interview on World Cafe, also from Fall 2011. The discussion about the end about Tony’s relationship to painting and singing are well worth listening to.  Click here to listen.

He has appeared on Marian McPartland’s wonderful Piano Jazz show. Click here to listen. This show was  recorded in 2004.

And finally, an interesting story about creating a new arrangement of I Left My Heart in San Francisco with Bill Charlap in 2006. Click here to listen.

There’s more on NPR … Just navigate to www.npr.org and search for Tony Bennett. You wont’ be sorry!