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Tony Bennett in the Studio:
Tony Bennett has a talent that sets him apart from any other
entertainer. He's the premier interpreter of the Great American
songbook, a 15-time Grammy® winner, and a Kennedy Center
honoree, among countless other achievements. When
performing, he connects to people everywhere through the
timeless appeal of his music. What many of his admirers may
not know, however, is that for as long as Tony Bennett has
been singing, he has been painting. Under his family of
Benedetto, he is a successful painter whose works hang in
museums and galleries, including a painting the Smithsonian
American Art Museum that is part of their permanent
collection.
This beautiful new book, Tony Bennett in the Studio, is richly illustrated with his own artwork, and within its pages, Bennett 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:
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TONY'S ARTWORK RAISES FUNDS FOR CHARITIES.... Tony Bennett, renowned for lending his musical talents for humanitarian and charitable efforts over the decades, recently contributed his paintings to two essential fundraising efforts. His painting of the American Flag was auctioned off by none other than former President Bill Clinton during the recent Global Initiative Conference held in New York City. Acting as the auctioneer, President Clinton confirmed the final bid at $150,000 all of which went to the Bush-Clinton Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. A watercolor still life painting of Tony's was also auctioned off in Los Angeles at United Nations "Adopt-A-Minefield" benefit gala hosted by Sir Paul McCartney and Heather McCartney. With Jay Leno as the auctioneer, Tony's painting sold at auction for $65,000 with the full sale amount going to the UN's efforts to reduce deadly landmines around the globe. Tony Bennett to be the Guest Speaker at the Smithsonian's Directors Circle Dinner and the Metropolitan Museum of Art this Fall. Tony Bennett will be the guest speaker at two prestigious art related events this fall to discuss his lifelong passion for painting and the visual arts in general. The first will be held at the Smithsonian's American Art Museum in Washington, DC on September 29. The evening is the museum's annual Director's Circle Dinner and is an invitation-only event. On Tuesday, October 25 the Metropolitan Museum in New York will host as part of their lecture series, "The Art of Tony Bennett." The evening will feature Tony in conversation with Harold Holzer. the museum's Senior VP for External Affairs, and selected original works of Bennett's will be on display. The event will be held at the Met's Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium at 8 pm and tickets are priced at $35.00 and for more information or to order tickets please call 212-570-3949. An Exhibtion of Bennett's Paintings to be Held at the Oliver Elliott and Sebastian Fine Art in Carmel, CA from September 16-October 9, 2005. ................ more |
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Louis Armstrong House, a national and New York City historical
landmark in Corona, Queens, recently reopened after major renovations.
A portrait of Louis Armstrong, which Tony Bennett presented to him shortly
before his passing, hangs in the den of the house. The painting, done
in oil,is featured in the official guide book of the museum and was recently
pictured in the New York Times feature on the reopening of the site. New
York Magazine also observes: Don't be surprised if, on your next visit to the Lemon Ice King of Corona, you can find jazz pilgrims sprinkled among the Ecuadorians, Bukharan Jews, and old-world Italians taking their Sunday strolls. They're likely headed for the restored Louis Armstrong House, the modest home on 107 St. in Queens - opening October 15 - where Satchmo spent decades entertaining visitors as easily as he transfixed audiences, right up until his death in 1971. The boxy redbrick facade, gilded and mirrored bathroom, and sixties turquoise kitchen may not rival Graceland's exuberance, but how many original Tony Bennett oils did Elvis own?"
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Butler Institute of American Art Founded in 1919 in Youngstown, Ohio, the Butler Institute of American Art was the first structure created to house an art collection devoted solely to American art and for that reason is called "America's Museum."  Tony Bennett's original oil painting, "Homage to Hockney," (a tribute to his friend David Hockney) is on permanent display at the Butler Institute and the museum hosted a retrospective of Tony's paintings in honor of its 75th Anniversary in 1994. Last summer, the Butler, at their Trumbull branch, held an exhibition of Tony's paintings devoted to the Italian landscape. To read a review by David L. Shirey from the show's catalogue, click here. The following video interview was created for that show, and is a fascinating dialogue between Tony and Dr. Lou Zona, the museum's Executive Director: Low
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News Archives: (2005)-Tony Bennett's Artwork Returns to the Catto Gallery..........more
(2002)-Tony
Bennett brings his music and art to Aspen..........more |
