Tony Bennett coming to Manila for concert

MANILA, Philippines - Legendary Italian-American singer Tony Bennett is coming to Manila for a concert on Sept. 17 at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex in Pasay City, it was jointly announced by MMI and Ovation Productions.

Acclaimed for his charming vocals and distinctive style, Bennett has been recognized for performing popular standards, such as I Left My Heart In San Francisco, Smile, Who Can I Turn To, The Best Is Yet To Come and many more.

Born and raised in New York City, he began singing at an early age. He also fought during World War II as an infantryman with the US Army in the European theater.

After being discharged from military service, he developed his singing voice and technique, signed with Columbia Records and scored his first No. 1 popular song with Because Of You in 1951.

Several other top hits followed, including Rags To Riches and Strangers In Paradise, after which he further refined his style to encompass jazz singing.

In 1962, he recorded his signature song I Left My Heart In San Francisco.

At 86, Bennett’s voice is just as charming and strong and pitch-perfect as it has always been during the past six decades of his career.

He has won 17 Grammy Awards (including a Lifetime Achievement Award presented in 2001) and a couple of Emmy Awards. He has been named as NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) Jazz Master and Kennedy Center honoree.

He has sold over 50 million records worldwide.

Aside from being a musician, Bennett also gained recognition as a serious and accomplished painter, having created art works under the name Anthony Benedetto that are on permanent public display in several institutions.  He is the founder of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in New York City.

(The Tony Bennett concert at the PICC on Sept. 17 is produced by MMI and Ovation Productions. Tickets are priced at P12,000, P10,000, P6,000 and P3,000 and will be on sale starting tomorrow, May 6, at all Ticketworld outlets and online at www.ticketworld.com.ph. For details, call Ticketworld at 891-9999.)