Tony Bennett
Aug 8, 2011
Legendary performer Tony Bennett celebrated a milestone birthday on August 3rd when he turned 85. But "the best is yet to come" with news that the singer has just completed recording with Lady Gaga and Aretha Franklin for his highly anticipated DUETS II CD adding to a celebrated list of artists previously announced including Michael Bublé, Norah Jones, John Mayer, Queen Latifah, Carrie Underwood, Amy Winehouse and many others.
Lady Gaga joined Tony for a rendition of the Rogers and Hart song, "The Lady Is A Tramp" and Bennett and Franklin collaborated on the Alan and Marilyn Bergman classic, "How Do You Keep The Music Playing." Both tracks were recorded live in the studio in New York City at the end of last month. Pre-orders for DUETS II are available now on iTunes and Amazon and bn.com. iTunes, in an exclusive offering, will allow fans to receive Tony's duet with Michael Bublé, "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," instantly upon placing a pre-order for the album on iTunes. Additionally, the video for the Bennett/Bublé track is available free this week on iTunes and showcases the great vocal chemistry between the two artists. Pre-orders through Tony's site will get fans an exclusive video of Tony and k.d. lang's duet of "Blue Velvet," as well as an instant MP3 download of the track. DUETS II will be in stores on September 20.
Bennett's official 85th birthday celebration will be held on Sunday, September 18th following his debut performance at the Metropolitan Opera House. The elegant invitation only supper will take place directly after the concert and will be hosted by Alec Baldwin with a special performance by Sir Elton John. The event honors Bennett's Exploring the Arts organization which funds and supports arts education in all five boroughs in New York City. In advance of the event, over $1.5M has already been raised. Tony Bennett has had a long-standing commitment to arts education in New York City. Ten years ago with his wife Susan Benedetto, he founded the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts (FSSA) one of the most well regarded and prestigious high schools in the country. It is located in his hometown of Astoria, Queens.
On September 23rd, Tony will appear with Carrie Underwood on the season premiere of "Bluebloods" on CBS. The two will perform their song from DUETS II, "It Had To Be You." Tony will perform a benefit event hosted by AARP to support their "Drive To End Hunger" initiative at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on September 24th.
Several national television appearances are slated for DUETS II week of release and throughout the fall. DUETS II is the follow-up to the multi-platinum CD, DUETS, released in conjunction with Tony's 80th birthday in 2006 which won three Grammy Awards and was the singer's best selling CD to date. Phil Ramone produced the original DUETS as well as the forthcoming DUETS II CD.
Duets II: Artist And Song Roster
- Andrea Bocelli Stranger In Paradise
- Michael Bublé I Wanna Be Around
- Mariah Carey When Do The Bells Ring For Me?
- Natalie Cole Watch What Happens
- Sheryl Crow The Girl I Love
- Aretha Franklin How Do You Keep The Music Playing?
- Josh Groban This Is All I Ask
- Faith Hill The Way You Look Tonight
- Norah Jones Speak Low
- Lady Gaga The Lady Is A Tramp
- K.d. Lang Blue Velvet
- John Mayer One For My Baby (and one more for the road)
- Willie Nelson On The Sunny Side Of The Street
- Queen Latifah Who Can I Turn To?
- Alejandro Sanz Yesterday I Heard The Rain
- Carrie Underwood It Had To Be You
- Amy Winehouse Body And Soul