Anthony Dominick Benedetto (Tony Bennett)
July 3rd 1926 - New York - USA
Tony Bennett has proven to be one of the most resilient musical talents of the
20th century, and his commitment to jazz-based rhythms made him as popular in the 1990s as he was in the 1950s.
As a teenager, like many other singers/musicians,Tony waited tables and practiced his singing.
During WWII he sang in military bands entertaining the troops in Europe.
His training took place at the American Theatre Wing school. While peforming with Pearl Bailey, he attracted the
attention of comedian Bob Hope who suggested among other things that the singer change his name from Joe Bari to Tony
Bennett.
His early fame came in the '50s due to several hit singles released by Columbia Records, including
Because Of You, (1951),
"I Won't Cry Anymore" and a remake of the Hank Williams, Sr. classic, "Cold, Cold Heart." During the period from 1950
to 1964 Bennett's career soared with 24 hits making the Top 40. This period was marked by the Grammy that he won for
his hit
I Left My Heart In San Francisco, It was during this time that Tony Bennett released
many of the singles which have become synonymous with his name including
"Stranger in Paradise," "Just in Time," "There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight" and the classic
Rags To Riches,
During the '60s and the beginning of the '70s Bennett shifted his
career toward album-oriented recording, with 25 records landing in the charts between 1962 and 1972. His skill and
talent as a singer are proven not only by the popularity and hits he garnered but also by the integrity and genius of
those who performed and recorded with him including: Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Bill Evans, Ray Charles, Ruby Braff,
and Woody Herman.
In the later part of the '70's and into the 1980's Tony Bennett took time away from recording to concentrate on
performing live, and to work on his skill as a painter. He ended the sabbatical with the 1986 release, The Art of
Excellence. This album consisted mainly of Bennett performing with the Ralph Sharon trio. Included on this album
was an eclectic but well-liked duet of him singing with Ray Charles.
Tony Bennett's popularity continued into the 1990's. His album Perfectly Frank, an LP devoted to the songs of
Frank Sinatra, has been very well received. Generation Xers have become acquainted with him due to the many
alternative artists citing him as musical influence, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Bennett bolstered his
"alternative" appeal by appearing on "MTV Unplugged" in 1993.