The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Christina Aguilera on Viva Duets

TONY BENNETT ADDS CHRISTINA AGUILERA TO VIVA DUETS LINE-UP // OFFICIAL TRACKLISTING + ARTWORK

Legendary crooner Tony Bennett has finalized his official tracklisting for his upcoming Latin-inspired release VIVA DUETS. The most notable addition is “Steppin Out”, an inspired collaboration with phenomenal “queen diva” Christina Aguilera. Back in 2000, the songstress embraced her Latin roots with the release of her second studio album MI REFLEJO, which featured five Spanish-sung songs taken from her self-titled debut album, as well five originals and one traditional piece.

Other notable duet partners on VIVA DUETS include Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, Chayanne, and Thalía. The album will be released worldwide on October 22, 2012 via Columbia Records

VIVA DUETS is currently available for pre-order at Amazon.

VIVA DUETS – US STANDARD TRACKLISTING
1. “The Best Is Yet to Come” with Chayanne
2. “The Way You Look Tonight” with Thalía
3. “Steppin’ Out” with Christina Aguilera
4. “For Once In My Life” with Marc Anthony
5. “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” with Dani Martín
6. “The Good Life” with Franco DeVita
7. “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” with Gloria Estefan
8. “Just in Time” with Juan Luis Guerra
9. “Cold, Cold Heart” with Vicentico
10. “I Wanna Be Around” with Ricardo Arjona
11. “Rags to Riches” with Romeo Santos
12. “Return to Me (Regresa A Mí)” with Vicente Fernández

VIVA DUETS – US TARGET TRACKLISTING
1. “The Best Is Yet to Come” with Chayanne
2. “The Way You Look Tonight” with Thalía
3. “Steppin’ Out” with Christina Aguilera
4. “For Once In My Life” with Marc Anthony
5. “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” with Dani Martín
6. “The Good Life” with Franco DeVita
7. “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” with Gloria Estefan
8. “Just in Time” with Juan Luis Guerra
9. “Cold, Cold Heart” with Vicentico
10. “I Wanna Be Around” with Ricardo Arjona
11. “Rags to Riches” with Romeo Santos
12. “Return to Me (Regresa A Mí)” with Vicente Fernández
13. “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” with Miguel Bosé
14. “Blue Velvet” with Maria Gadú*
15. “The Very Thought of You” with Ana Carolina
16. “The Way You Look Tonight” with Thalía (Guitar Only)

TONY BENNETT BIO (ABRIDGED)
With millions of records sold world-wide and platinum and gold albums to his credit, Bennett has received seventeen Grammy Awards — including a 1995 Grammy for Record of the Year for his “MTV Unplugged” CD which introduced this American master to a whole new generation — and the Grammy Lifetime Award. His 2007 prime-time special, “Tony Bennett: An American Classic,” won seven Emmy Awards. His initial successes came via a string of Columbia singles in the early 1950’s, including such chart-toppers as “Because of You,” “Rags to Riches,” and a remake of Hank Williams “Cold, Cold Heart.” He had 24 songs in the Top 40, including “I Wanna Be Around,” “The Good Life,” “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” and his signature song,” I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” recorded 50 years ago this coming January 2012. This song garnered him two Grammy Awards. Tony Bennett is one of a handful of artists to have new albums charting in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and now in the first two decades of the 21st century. He has introduced a multitude of songs into the Great American Songbook that have since become standards for pop music. He has toured the world to sold out audiences with rave reviews whenever he performs.

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The Word of the Day: Pre-order

This fall has two (and hopefully three) major releases for Tony Bennett fans. And two can be pre-ordered right now.

Viva Duets: Available on October 23, 2012

The Year of Tony Bennett has been writing extensively about this upcoming album. Go to Music on the menu and select Viva Duets to read about the artists on the album.

Viva Duets can be pre-ordered from Amazon.

Life Is a Gift: The Zen of Bennett: Available on November 20, 2012

This book sounds wonderful. On the Facebook page for the book:

… the iconic, award-winning vocalist offers a rich and varied collection of stories that capture hilarious, heartwarming, and moving moments from his remarkable sixty-year career.

The book is available for pre-order from Amazon and Barnes and Noble, as well as other retailers in both print and e-book formats.

Collectors and fans might also be interested in this offering from Premiere Collectibles: an autographed copy of the book.

The Zen of Bennett ???

As you may know, the documentary film The Zen of Bennett premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival this spring. It has also been screened at the Sydney Film Festival, the Tuscan Sun Festival, Michael Moore’s Traverse City Film Festival and the Hamptons International Film Festival. The film is expected to be announced in DVD via Netflix. No dates are available. All fingers at the Year of Tony Bennett are crossed for a fall release as well.

In the meantime, the trailer for the film is really wonderful and is available on the film’s website at www.zenofbennett.com.

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Preparing for Viva Duets – Part Three

Hello. We conclude our introduction to the Latin artists who are collaborating with Tony Bennett on Viva Duets.  Mr. Bennett has announced a December tour in conjunction with the release of this album his official website.

Juan Luis Guerra

Born: June 7, 1957 in Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic
Website: http://www.juanluisguerra.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanluisguerra
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juanluisguerra440

Juan Luis Guerra is a singer, songwriter and producer from the Dominican Republic. He has sold over 30 million records and has won many award for this music: 12 Latin Grammy Awards, two Grammy Awards and two Latin Billboard Music Awards. He was an eclectic popular style that incorporates merengue, bachata, bolero, and Afro-pop fusion.

He and Tony will be singing Just In Time on Viva Duets.

We feature his song La Llave de mi Corazón, which won multiple awards for this artist.

Dani Martín

Born: February 9, 1977 in Madrid, Spain
Website: http://www.danimartin.com.es/es/home
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_danielmartin_
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaniMartinOficial?ref=ts

Dani Martín has a dual career as a rock singer and actor in Spain. He is the vocalist for the pop rock band El Canto del Loco and acts in film and television, including a role in Pedro Almodóvar’s Broken Embraces.  Since 2008, he has focused primarily on his music career .

He and Tony will be singing Are You Havin’ Any Fun on Viva Duets.

We feature 16 Añitos from his solo album, Pequeño.

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Romeo Santos

Born: July 21, 1981 in The Bronx, New York
Website: http://www.romeosantosofficial.com/us/home
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RomeoSantosPage
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RomeoSantosOfficial

Romeo Santos is a Dominican-Puerto Rican-American singer and brings all of those cultures into his performing style, which features the Dominican bachata style. He also is known for his hip hop, merengue and R&B stylings as well.

We feature his single You, from the 2011 album Formula.

Thalia

Born: August 26, 1971 in Mexico City, Mexico
Website: http://www.thalia.com/2.0/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thalia
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thalia

Known variously as the Queen of Latin Pop and Empress of Beauty, there is no doubt that Thalia (born Ariadne Thalia Sodi Miranda) is a Mexican superstar. She has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and is now the best-selling Latin musician of all time.

In addition to her very successful singing career, she is also a songwriter, actress, author, businesswoman, and fashion designer. Also known as the Queen of Soap Operas, she has had a very successful career acting in telenovelas that are viewed all over the world.

She and Tony will be singing The Way You Look Tonight on Viva Duets.

We feature her song Equivocoda from her line 2009 album Primera Fila.

Vincentico

Born: July 24, 1964 (Gabriel Julio Fernandez Capello) in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Website: http://www.vicentico.com/us/home
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vicenticogfc

A musician and a composer, Vincentico was a co-founder of the Los Fabulosos Cadillacs rock band from 1984 to 2001, when he began his career as a solo artist.

He and Tony will be singing Cold, Cold Heart on Viva Duets.

We feature his song Culpable from the self-titled album Vincentico, from 2003.

Ana Carolina

Born: September 9, 1974 in Brazil
Website: http://www.ana-carolina.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sigaanacarolina
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anacarolinaoficial

Born into a musical family, Ana Carolina’s music is influenced by the rich tradition of Brazilian music. A singer-songwriter and guitarist, her style ranges from bossa nova and samba to folk music.

She and Tony will be singing The Very Thought of You on Viva Duets.

We feature her song Entreolhares (The Way You’re Looking At Me)  from the 2009 album N9ve.