Legendary performer Tony Bennett celebrates a milestone birthday on August 3rd when he turns 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 Buble, Norah Jones, John Mayer, Queen Latifah, Willie Nelson, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, 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. A full listing of the artist and song roster is below. 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. (For more information on the event: TonyBennett85@eventassociates.com) 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. In support of Exploring the Arts, Tiffany & Co. is donating for auction a unique "Breakfast At Tiffany" with Tony Bennett in-store event that also includes tickets to Tony's Metropolitan Opera concert and birthday gala, a personalized Tony Bennett giclee art print, as well as a $10,000 Tiffany private shopping experience and tour of the famed store. This exceptional auction package will be launched exclusively on charitybuzz starting on August 3rd and for more details please go to www.charitybuzz.com/tonybennett. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to Exploring the Arts and Tiffany will also be a table sponsor at the September 18 birthday gala. Additionally, Tiffany, the jeweler synonymous with true love recently introduced a new website and iPhone® App, as What Makes Love True, which has quickly become the resource for romantics around the world. Within the "Art of Romance" section, Tiffany features a playlist of Tony's top ten favorite love songs which can be viewed now at www.whatmakeslovetrue.com.
On Bennett's August 3rd birthday, he is scheduled to appear on the "The Today Show" and "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon." Tony will perform a benefit event hosted by AARP to support their "Drive To End Hunger" initiative at the Staples Center 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.
Entering his seventh decade as a recording artist with over 100 albums and 15 Grammy Awards including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Bennett has earned his legendary status many times over. He remains the Columbia recording artist with the greatest longevity at the label. His 2007 prime-time special, "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," won seven Emmy Awards. A visual artist as well, three of his original paintings are part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian. His humanitarian efforts are renowned and the United Nations honored him with their Humanitarian Award in 2007. He has published three books – his autobiography, "The Good Life" and two books of his paintings, "Tony Bennett: What My Heart Has Seen," and "Tony Bennett In the Studio; A Life of Art and Music." Bennett founded, in association with the Department of Education in New York City, the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts – a public arts high school in his hometown of Astoria, Queens. With his wife Susan, he established Exploring the Arts, a charitable organization which supports arts education in NYC public high schools. Exploring the Arts supports seven additional public high schools throughout New York City.
Duets II Artist & Track Listing
ANDREA BOCELLI - STRANGER IN PARADISE
MICHAEL BUBLE - 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 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
AMY WINEHOUSE -BODY AND SOUL
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