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1 Tony Bennett Birthday Thread.
First time I interviewed Tony Bennett in he told me, “I’m not a jazz singer; I’m a singer who likes jazz.” Bennett, who turns 94 today, has spent much of his career on exploring the border of pop & jazz in the context of the American songbook.
First time I interviewed Tony Bennett in he told me, “I’m not a jazz singer; I’m a singer who likes jazz.” Bennett, who turns 94 today, has spent much of his career on exploring the border of pop & jazz in the context of the American songbook.
2 In honor of his birthday, here’s a baker’s dozen of Bennett’s finest jazz-oriented recordings dating back to 1954—plus bonus material. Not all of his A-list records are here — The Movie Album is missing for example — but what’s included captures his passion for jazz.
3 Cloud 7 (1954). Bennett’s first 12-inch LP ditched chart-topping material in favor of jazz-influenced versions of the Great American Songbook with hip jazz musicians behind him. Uneven diction and overripe vibrato here mark him as a work-in-progress
4 The Beat of My Heart (1957) Percussionists Chico Hamilton, Jo Jones, Billy Exiner, Art Blakey, Candido & Sabu make for a corker, arranged by Ralph Sharon w/ Nat Adderley/Kai Winding/Al Cohn/Herbie Mann. This one perked up the ears of jazz fans & critics.
5 Hometown, My Town (1958): A concept album taped in 1958 honoring Bennett’s hometown of New York, this too-little-known masterpiece features swingers & ballads exquisitely orchestrated with horns/strings by Ralph Burns. Soloists: Al Cohn & Urbie Green.
6 Tony Bennett/Count Basie: The Complete Recordings (1958-59): Bennett was the first white singer to perform with Basie. Their two LPs, In Person & Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, are powder kegs. (The latter also issued under the title Strike Up the Band).
7 Tony Sings for Two (1959). This intimate duet LP with pianist Ralph Sharon, Bennett's longtime musical director, lacks the profundity of the singer's later work with Bill Evans, but it captures the casual existential theater of a saloon after midnight.
8 My Heart Sings (1961): Among the most exuberant records in Bennett’s canon, this outing finds the singer matching Ralph Burns’ roaring big-band charts punch for punch with soloists like Zoot Sims & Eddie Costa getting in their licks along the way.
9 When Lights Are Low (1964): Bennett took a great leap forward in the early ’60s as his voice settled & he found a way to channel his enthusiasm into a more relaxed approach to swing. This Tony-plus-trio LP is the template for countless one-nighters.
10 Tony Bennett: Jazz (1950s-60s): A survey of Bennett’s jazzier work, including 4 remarkable 1964 tracks w/Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter & Elvin Jones—the most modern band with whom he ever recorded. Oh, but for a whole LP w/Herbie/Ron & Elvin!
11 Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings (1975-76): Bennett’s two duet LPs with Evans are landmarks. Evans’ sweeping lyricism & startling improvisations push Bennett to some of his most emotionally charged & spontaneous singing. Truth & Beauty
12 Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook(1973) Reissue of two Rodgers/Hart LPs Bennett recorded for his own Improv label w/the Ruby Braff-George Barnes 4qt. Cornet, two guitars, bass (no drums) encourage whispered dynamics & loose give-and-take
13 Bennett/Berlin (1987): Bennett’s resurgence with younger audiences was gaining traction when this set of Irving Berlin tunes came out. It runs only about 30 minutes, but it’s all choice. Dizzy Gillespie, George Benson & Dexter Gordon drop by for cameos.
14 On Holiday (1997). Bennett sings the Billie Holiday songbook, alternating orchestral ballads with swingers accompanied just by piano. Lady Day's drama & timing left a mark on Bennett, but at brighter tempos you can hear the impact of Armstrong & Crosby.
15 The Silver Lining (c. 2010). Released in 2015, this rapturous Jerome Kern program finds Bennett in commanding voice in his 80s. The ease with which he merges with Bill Charlap’s Trio (Peter Washington/Kenny Washington) highlights the singer’s jazz DNA.
16 Bonus track: When Bennett's pianist Ralph Sharon cut a an LP for Argo in Chicago in 1958, Bennett was in the studio & scats two blues chorus (plus "4s") on Friend's Blues. Bennett is not credited save the sly the cover billing "Ralph Sharon & Friend"
17 The album was produced by Detroiter Dave Usher, who had earlier co-founded Dee Gee Records w/Dizzy Gillespie in Detroit. Dave worked as a producer for Argo in the late '50s. Tony's name couldn't appear because of his Columbia contract; the "& Friend" reference was Dave's idea.
18 More bonus material: Bennett hosted his first TV special in 1966 on ABC. It's fantastic. Killer studio band led by Ralph Burns, with Bennett's then pianist Tommy Flanagan & guests Bobby Hackett/Paul Horn 5qt/Buddy Rich/Milt Jackson/ Candido. Full show:
19 Let me point out a couple highlights and link directly to them: Much of "Lost in the Stars" is a beautiful duet with Bags. Truly stunning.
20 Bennett & the cats roar through Ralph Burns' chart on "Taking a Chance on Love." Richard Davis, bass; Gene Bertoncini, guitar; I think Sol Gubin is the drummer (it doesn't look like Mel Lewis or Jake Hanna). More personnel in the next tweet.
21 My friend and great baritone saxophonist Kenny Berger helped identify some of the horns: Tenor sax on far left is Richie Kamuca, baritone sax is probably Sol Schlinger. Middle trombones are Urbie Green and Wayne Andre. Far left trumpet looks like Ernie Royal.
22 Tommy Flanagan shines behind Bennett on "Keep Smiling at Trouble" (music by Lewis Gensler; words by Al Jolson & Bud De Sylva). Finally, dig the sleek mid-century modern set & audience members seated in au courant Tulip chairs (designed by Eero Saarinen)
cc: @itstonybennett
