Tony Bennett in the Studio: A Life of Art & Music

by Tony Bennett, Robert Sullivan, Mario Cuomo (Preface)

Every one of Tony’s millions of devoted fans will treasure this definitive volume. Tony Bennett, the world’s most beloved living legend, has a talent that’s simply timeless. He’s the smooth and subtle singer of the classic American songbook, the recipient of countless Grammy® awards and nominations, an Emmy Award®, and a Kennedy Center Honoree. The Library of Congress bestowed a Living Legend Award on him in 2000, the National Endowment for the Arts named him a Jazz Master in January of 2006, and he just received Billboard magazine’s prestigious Century Award for his outstanding contributions to music. Contemporary singers such as Bono, Sting, Diana Krall, John Legend, and the Dixie Chicks idolize him. Recently, Bennett turned 80 and he has celebrated this milestone with the same joie de vivre with which he celebrates life in general; he’s at the height of his popularity, thanks to the bestselling album Duets and a brilliantly conceived TV special directed by Rob Marshall, director of the Academy Award®-winning Chicago. When performing as Tony Bennett, he connects to people everywhere through the magic of his music. What many of his admirers may not know, however, is that Bennett, under the name of Anthony Benedetto, is also a successful painter whose works hang in major museums and galleries, including the Smithsonian.
In this beautiful new book, richly illustrated with his own artwork, Tony takes the time to reflect on his career, and the inspiration that continues to infuse both his music and his art. Along with journalist Robert Sullivan, he explores recurring themes in his life, including jazz, individualism, the creative zone, love, truth and beauty, chiaroscuro (the balance of light and shadow, both in painting and life), and the lifelong adventure that has taken him around the world and back again. His own personal memorabilia will be on display, along with album covers and notes. And for everyone who loves Bennett’s gorgeous voice and elegant song an exclusive CD featuring his favorite tunes, including some rare choices.

Genres: Art, Music, Biography, Nonfiction

212 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 2007

About the author

Anthony Dominick "Tony" Benedetto , better known by his stage name Tony Bennett, was an American singer of traditional pop standards, show tunes, and jazz. He was also a painter, having created works under the name Anthony Benedetto that are on permanent public display in several institutions. He was the founder of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens, New York.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Be...


Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

for the English academic please go to:
Tony Bennett

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had no idea Tony Bennett was such a prolific artist and worked in various media. I actually want prints of some of his creations. It is a gorgeous book and the added CD of songs is a nice touch. I found his story interesting, but overly optimistic and happy to the point that it came across as 2D. The writing prevented me from giving it 4 stars.

[Hapzydeco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great biographical sketch. Great art reproduction. Plus a CD to boot.

[Terry Dullum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures, beautiful words.

[Elvis2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is beautiful. His artwork goes from crudely-executed to magnificent examples of a great talent. I especially loved Tony's still lifes. Some of his drawings are so primitive that it's hard to imagine that other of his very competent sketches were done by the same person. There is so much talent here. When he does very detailed work it's fabulous. I wish the book has included his rendering of the interior of Royal Albert Hall, filled with people, which I saw in a biography. It is outstanding.

I will enjoy this book again and again.

[Xenos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tony's music is a treat for the ears. Tony's art is a treat for the eyes. Both feed the soul.