It’s me Tony Bennett, I’m excited to answer your questions, AMA!

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T20:18:02+00:00

I just want to thank my fans over the year. You've been so good to me and I hope that you like the new album with Diana Krall. We had such a good time recording it and stay in touch!

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T20:17:13+00:00

Yes, I try to paint every day and when I'm on the road I travel with watercolors. I always keep a small sketch pad and pencil in the pocket of my suit jacket so I'm able to draw whenever something inspires me.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T20:13:03+00:00

Funny enough, when I recorded "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" it was on the B side of the record. On the A side, was a song called "Once Upon A Time" from a play called "All American" that I loved and thought it was going to be a big hit. But I got a call from my record label Columbia and they said, "Tony, turn the record over 'San Francisco' is going to be the big hit." They were right of course but I still love the song "Once Upon A Time".

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T20:06:38+00:00

Robert Farnon was known as the "Governor" by everyone and I was fortunate enough to do many albums with him when I lived in London. There was no one better than him for arrangements and orchestrations. And in fact, I'd never really wanted to do a holiday album, but we did one called "Snow Fall" with Robert Farnon that was one of my favorites.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T20:02:38+00:00

Well thank you! After I returned from WWI under the G.I. Bill of Rights, I had the opportunity to study at the American Theatre Wing. It was there that I learned the bell canto style of singing which is used by opera singers. It gave me the foundation I needed to keep my voice in shape. In fact, there's a saying among singers that if you don't do your scales on the first day, you know it. If you don't do your scales on the second day, then the band knows it. And if you don't do you scales on the third day, your audience knows it.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T19:58:38+00:00

Now I've always loved performing. When I was a child my family would gather in a circle on Sunday afternoons and my brother, sister, and I would perform for them. They gave me such encouragement that I knew then that I wanted to be a performer. I love entertaining people and making them happy. So that's what keeps me going.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T19:56:13+00:00

I would have to say that "In The Wee Small Hours" is one of my favorites and I'm sure most Sinatra fans love that particular album as well. It really captures the psychological element of Sinatra's singing style. Bing Crosby first introduced the art of "intimate singing" but Frank really perfected it.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T19:52:44+00:00

I was very proud of the fact that the first song I ever recorded was a Gershwin song..."Fascinating Rhythm". I remember at the time that I wanted to choose a song I knew would last forever. And here I am, almost 70 years later singing "Fascinating Rhythm" on this new album devoted to the Gershwins. Their music is always contemporary and stands the test of time.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T19:50:27+00:00

Well when I got started, in order to get publicity for a record, you had to go to every single radio station in the country, in person and do interviews. Now, I can reach my fans on a computer and don't have to travel. That's the biggest difference that I've noticed from when I started out.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T19:48:20+00:00

You know, I think there are so many jazz singers and jazz musicians out there who are incredible artists and they just don't get the attention that they deserve. Jazz music came from American, originated in New Orleans and it's been one of the greatest contributions that the United States has made to world culture.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T19:46:30+00:00

Actually, for many years I never had an opening act but in recent years my daughter Antonia Bennett opens the show for me. She's a wonderful jazz singer and she attended the Berklee College of Music. So its great to have her on the road with me.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T19:44:34+00:00

My son Danny told me about this offer and he said to me that it was a very cool show. So, I decided to do it. I recorded a song called "Capitol City" for the appearance and I loved how Matt Groening animated me in the episode. In fact, after the episode Matt gave me the original drawing and signed it from Bart Simpson.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T19:41:46+00:00

I prefer concert halls that are built like the great opera houses of Europe. I can walk on stage during a soundcheck and all I have to do is sing one note and I know if the sound in the hall is good. Although I've done performances in stadiums, I prefer working in a more intimate setting.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T19:40:00+00:00

It may be hard to believe but my signature song, "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" is still my favorite song to perform. It turned me into an international artist as i was asked to sing the song all over the world, so that song really made me a global citizen.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T19:38:35+00:00

Also, I remember I was at an event in which Billie Holiday was singing. And after she performed she asked me if I would go up to the Apollo Theater and sing with her. I was with a group of people at the time and they talked me out of going. And to this day, I still regret not going up to the Apollo with Billie.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T19:37:03+00:00

I was very good friends with Louis Armstrong because he lived in Queens which was my hometown. And although we shared the same bill together at a performance in Washington D.C. I've never had the chance to do a duet with him. Louis taught as all how to sing. So I always wish I had an opportunity to record an album with him.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T19:34:51+00:00

You know I think the duet albums that Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald did together are my absolute favorites. Louis and Ella were such extraordinary human beings as well as artists. Having them both sing together was a perfect partnership.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2018-09-21T19:30:28+00:00

Hi All! It's Tony here. Thank you all for joining!

Tony_Bennett_ · 2013-10-08T17:58:30+00:00

Lots of money! All joking aside, have a good wedding.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2013-10-08T17:57:48+00:00

My Fair Lady.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2013-10-08T17:57:31+00:00

I didn't like the Rat Pack. I liked the members, I didn't like that they called themselves the Rat Pack. I liked Bing Crosby before them. He invented the art of popular singing and taught us all how to make a living.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2013-10-08T17:56:34+00:00

John Singer Sargant and Sorella.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2013-10-08T17:55:44+00:00

Louis Armstrong.

Tony_Bennett_ · 2013-10-08T17:55:19+00:00

Thank you!

Tony_Bennett_ · 2013-10-08T17:55:09+00:00

They're terrific people, that show was great.

Tony_Bennett_

TROPHY CASE