Tony Bennett: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Tony Bennett came out of Astoria, Queens with a bel canto tenor he insisted he'd borrowed from horn players rather than crooners — Armstrong's attack, Tatum's harmonic surprise, Sinatra's phrasing. This mix traces that lineage, the cabaret singers who taught him intimacy, the New York scene that raised him, the painter's life he led as Anthony Benedetto, and the generation of standards singers who followed him back to the Great American Songbook.

The Kynda mix for Tony Bennett

• Key Influence · In the Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra (1955). Sinatra reportedly told Life magazine in 1965 that Bennett was his favorite singer, a quote that rescued Bennett's career; Bennett in turn named his Astoria arts high school the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts. Sinatra also advised him early never to cheapen his material. This 1955 concept album — Nelson Riddle's hushed strings, lyrics sung as confession — set the template of album-length emotional architecture Bennett pursued.
• Influencia Obscura · Mabel Mercer Sings Cole Porter by Mabel Mercer (1955). Mercer barely sang in the conventional sense by the 1950s — she spoke lyrics from a chair at Tony's on East 52nd Street, and Sinatra and Bennett alike sat in her rooms learning how a lyric is served rather than performed. Her Atlantic Porter album is the clearest surviving evidence of that method. Bennett's lifelong insistence on honoring the songwriter's intent over vocal display descends straight from this cabaret tradition.
• Local Roots · Jazz Ultimate by Bobby Hackett (1957). Hackett, the lyrical New York cornetist, played on Bennett dates and shared his belief that a melody should be stated beautifully before it's embellished. Bennett regularly named him among his favorite musicians and the two worked the same Manhattan club and studio circuit in the 1950s. This co-led session with Jack Teagarden is Hackett's warm, understated horn at full length — the sound Bennett tried to reproduce with his voice.
• Beyond the Medium · Water Lilies by Claude Monet (1916). Bennett painted daily as Anthony Benedetto for decades, with works accepted into the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection, and he spoke of the Impressionists' open-air light as the thing he wanted in his singing: a scene suggested, not labored over. Monet's late water garden canvases — color applied in loose, confident strokes that resolve only at distance — are the visual grammar behind Bennett's refusal to over-polish a vocal take.
• Peer · Blue Rose by Rosemary Clooney (1956). Clooney and Bennett were Columbia labelmates under Mitch Miller in the early fifties, both pushed toward novelty hits they resented, both eventually reclaiming themselves as jazz singers. They toured together late in life and shared the Concord/standards revival audience. Blue Rose, her collaboration with Duke Ellington's orchestra, is the exact move Bennett made with Count Basie — a pop singer stepping deliberately into the band tradition.
• From the Canon · The Beat of My Heart by Tony Bennett (1957). The record that explains everything else: Bennett abandoning strings for a percussion-driven jazz date with Art Blakey, Jo Jones, Chico Hamilton and Candido, plus Nat Adderley and Herbie Mann. It was a commercial risk made at the height of his hit-single era, and it announced permanently that he intended to be judged as a jazz musician. Every later move — Basie, Bill Evans, the Jazz compilations — proceeds from this decision.
• Key Collaborator · Waltz for Debby by Bill Evans (1962). Bennett and Evans made two duet albums in 1975 and 1976, voice and piano alone, no bass or drums — among the most exposed records either man made and a touchstone of the singer-pianist duo form. Waltz for Debby, the Village Vanguard date with Scott LaFaro, is Evans's own masterwork and shows the interactive, rubato-tolerant touch that made him able to follow Bennett's phrasing anywhere it wandered.
• Legacy · Call Me Irresponsible by Michael Bublé (2007). Bublé has consistently named Bennett alongside Sinatra as the model for a career built on the Great American Songbook, and the two performed together and shared the Canadian–American standards-revival audience. Call Me Irresponsible, a Grammy winner for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album — the very category Bennett dominated for decades — is the direct inheritance of the proposition that this repertoire remains commercially alive.

What influenced Tony Bennett

• Frank Sinatra (1915). Bennett cites Sinatra as a singer he studied to develop his own vocal style. (also via In the Wee Small Hours) “gave me some wonderful advice about not worrying about being nervous because, he said, the public likes that.” (Fresh Air Archive (NPR))
• Bing Crosby. Bennett cites Bing Crosby as a vocal influence. “So I listened to Sinatra. I listened to Bing Crosby. I listened to Louis Armstrong.” (Fresh Air Archive (NPR))
• Louis Armstrong. Bennett cites Louis Armstrong as a vocal influence. (also via Louis Armstrong Plays W. C. Handy) “So I listened to Sinatra. I listened to Bing Crosby. I listened to Louis Armstrong.” (Fresh Air Archive (NPR))
• Billie Holiday by Billie Holiday (1915). Bennett names Billie Holiday as a direct influence on his singing. (also via We'll Be Together Again, Lady in Satin) “And I'm very influenced by Billie Holiday.” (Fresh Air Archive (NPR))
• Bobby Hackett. Bennett names Bobby Hackett as a teacher of vocal technique. (also via Jazz Ultimate) “Bobby Hackett taught me to work on bel canto scales every day.” (Fresh Air Archive (NPR))
• Art Tatum (1909). Bennett imitated Tatum’s piano phrasing as part of his singing technique. (also via The Genius of Art Tatum) “he developed an unusual approach that involved imitating, as he sang, the style and phrasing of other musicians—such as that of Stan Getz 's saxophone and Art Tatum 's piano—helping him to improvise as he interpreted a song.” (Wikipedia)
• Cole Porter by Cole Porter. Bennett explicitly praises Porter’s songs while explaining his musical choices. “Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer and others just created the best songs that had ever been written. These are classics, and finally they're not being treated as light entertainment.” (Wikipedia)
• Maurice Chevalier. Bennett cites Maurice Chevalier as a personal idol whose performing spirit influenced him. “I had a great idol when I was younger and even now, is Maurice Chevalier.” (Fresh Air Archive (NPR))
• Ella Fitzgerald. Bennett cites Ella Fitzgerald among singers who taught him vocal styling. “Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae, all wonderful stylists and do great things with intimate singing” (Fresh Air Archive (NPR))
• Sarah Vaughan. Bennett cites Sarah Vaughan as an influence on his singing. “Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae, all wonderful stylists and do great things with intimate singing” (Fresh Air Archive (NPR))
• Carmen McRae. Bennett cites Carmen McRae as an influence on his singing. “Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae, all wonderful stylists and do great things with intimate singing” (Fresh Air Archive (NPR))
• Dick Gordon. Bennett's uncle, performing as Dick Gordon, was a formative influence on his approach to show business. “he would just hang out and talk to me and tell me these legends and what an influence he was, because he kind of gave me all the rules” (Fresh Air Archive (NPR))
• In the Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra. In the Wee Small Hours (Frank Sinatra) — titan for Tony Bennett “He founded the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens, New York, along with Exploring the Arts, a non-profit arts education program.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Genius of Art Tatum by Art Tatum (1954). The Genius of Art Tatum (Art Tatum) — titan for Tony Bennett “Based upon a suggestion from a teacher at the American Theatre Wing, he developed an unusual approach that involved imitating, as he sang, the style and phrasing of other musicians—such as that of Stan Getz's saxophone and Art Tatum's pi…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• A Bigger Splash by David Hockney (1967). A Bigger Splash (David Hockney) — culture for Tony Bennett “His painting Homage to Hockney (for his friend David Hockney, painted after Hockney drew him) is on permanent display at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin. Rhapsody in Blue (George Gershwin) — culture for Tony Bennett “In September 2018, Bennett re-recorded the George Gershwin song "Fascinating Rhythm", after 68 years and 342 days, according to the Guinness World Records adjudicator, earning the title of "longest time between the release of an original…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Al Jolson. Names Jolson among the artists Bennett heard while growing up. “Bennett grew up listening to Al Jolson , Eddie Cantor , Judy Garland , and Bing Crosby , as well as jazz artists such as Louis Armstrong , Jack Teagarden , and Joe Venuti .” (Wikipedia)
• Eddie Cantor. Names Cantor among the artists Bennett heard while growing up. “Bennett grew up listening to Al Jolson , Eddie Cantor , Judy Garland , and Bing Crosby , as well as jazz artists such as Louis Armstrong , Jack Teagarden , and Joe Venuti .” (Wikipedia)
• Judy Garland. Names Garland among the artists Bennett heard while growing up. “Bennett grew up listening to Al Jolson , Eddie Cantor , Judy Garland , and Bing Crosby , as well as jazz artists such as Louis Armstrong , Jack Teagarden , and Joe Venuti .” (Wikipedia)
• Jack Teagarden. Names Teagarden among the jazz artists Bennett heard while growing up. “Bennett grew up listening to Al Jolson , Eddie Cantor , Judy Garland , and Bing Crosby , as well as jazz artists such as Louis Armstrong , Jack Teagarden , and Joe Venuti .” (Wikipedia)
• Joe Venuti. Names Venuti among the jazz artists Bennett heard while growing up. “Bennett grew up listening to Al Jolson , Eddie Cantor , Judy Garland , and Bing Crosby , as well as jazz artists such as Louis Armstrong , Jack Teagarden , and Joe Venuti .” (Wikipedia)
• Stan Getz. Bennett imitated Getz’s saxophone phrasing as part of his singing technique. “he developed an unusual approach that involved imitating, as he sang, the style and phrasing of other musicians—such as that of Stan Getz 's saxophone and Art Tatum 's piano—helping him to improvise as he interpreted a song.” (Wikipedia)
• Louis Armstrong Plays W. C. Handy by Louis Armstrong (1954). Louis Armstrong Plays W. C. Handy (Louis Armstrong) — titan for Tony Bennett “Bennett grew up listening to Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Judy Garland, and Bing Crosby, as well as jazz artists such as Louis Armstrong, Jack Teagarden, and Joe Venuti.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Mabel Mercer Sings Cole Porter by Mabel Mercer (1955). Mabel Mercer Sings Cole Porter (Mabel Mercer) — ghost for Tony Bennett (musicbrainz.org)
• The Rockin' Chair Lady by Mildred Bailey (1950). The Rockin' Chair Lady (Mildred Bailey) — ghost for Tony Bennett (musicbrainz.org)
• Water Lilies by Claude Monet (1916). Water Lilies (Claude Monet) — culture for Tony Bennett (wikidata.org)
• Louie Bellson. Bennett credits drummer Louie Bellson with teaching him breath technique for singing.

Peers and kindred spirits

• Bill Evans. Bennett describes recording collaborative duet albums with pianist Bill Evans. (also via Waltz for Debby) “made two well-regarded albums with jazz pianist Bill Evans , The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album (1975) and Together Again (1976),” (Wikipedia)
• Amy Winehouse. Bennett recorded a duet with Amy Winehouse. (also via Duets II, Tony Bennett) “His duet with Amy Winehouse on " Body and Soul "—reportedly the last recording she made before her death [ 90 ] —charted on the lower reaches of the Billboard Hot 100 ,” (Wikipedia)
• Stevie Wonder by Stevie Wonder. Bennett recorded a duet with Stevie Wonder. “In 2006, Wonder also recorded a duet with Tony Bennett , a rendition of "For Once in My Life", which earned them a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals .” (Wikipedia)
• Lady Gaga by Lady Gaga (1986). Bennett's final public performance was a collaboration with Lady Gaga. (also via The Art of Romance, Joanne) “He attracted renewed acclaim late in his career for his collaboration with Lady Gaga , which began with the album Cheek to Cheek (2014); the two performers toured together to promote the album throughout 2014 and 2015.” (Wikipedia)
• Count Basie. Basie and Bennett recorded albums together. (also via The Atomic Mr. Basie) “Although I’d talked with him on the telephone I didn’t meet Count Basie until our rehearsals began. It was an amazing experience, the fulfillment of a dream, and I’ll never forget it.” (The Year of Tony Bennett)
• Duke Ellington (1899). Bennett describes a close personal and professional relationship with Duke Ellington. (also via Solitude, Ellington at Newport) “every time he wrote a new song, he sent me flowers.” (Fresh Air Archive (NPR))
• Count Basie Orchestra. Bennett recounts his historic recording collaboration with the Count Basie Orchestra. “Bennett followed this by working with the Count Basie Orchestra , becoming the first male pop vocalist to sing with Count Basie 's band.” (Wikipedia)
• Aretha Franklin. Bennett recorded a duet with Aretha Franklin. “He sang duets with seventeen prominent singers of varying techniques, including Aretha Franklin , Willie Nelson , Queen Latifah , and Lady Gaga .” (Wikipedia)
• Bob Hope. Bob Hope discovered Bennett, gave him his stage name, and boosted his career. “Hope decided to take Benedetto on the road with him and shortened his name to Tony Bennett.” (Wikipedia)
• Cold, Cold Heart by Hank Williams. States that Bennett recorded a rendition of Williams’s song. ““Cold, Cold Heart” was written in 1951 by Hank Williams. Bennett was unsure about recording the original 1951 version, telling producer Mitch Miller he could sing it as he was not a country and western singer.” (The Tony Bennett Discography)
• Ralph Sharon by Ralph Sharon. Sharon worked with Bennett as pianist, arranger and musical director. “In 1957, Ralph Sharon became Bennett's pianist, arranger, and musical director, [ 43 ] replacing Wayne.” (Wikipedia)
• Billy Joel by Billy Joel (1964). Bennett sang with Joel at two concerts. “In 2008, Bennett made two appearances with Billy Joel singing " New York State of Mind " at the final concerts given at Shea Stadium ,” (Wikipedia)
• Elvis Costello by Elvis Costello. Costello made a guest appearance on Bennett’s MTV Unplugged show. “Featuring guest appearances by rock and country stars Elvis Costello and k.d. lang (both of whom had an affinity for the standards genre), the show attracted a considerable audience and much media attention.” (Wikipedia)
• Willie Nelson by Willie Nelson. Names Nelson among Bennett’s duet partners. “He sang duets with seventeen prominent singers of varying techniques, including Aretha Franklin , Willie Nelson , Queen Latifah , and Lady Gaga .” (Wikipedia)
• We'll Be Together Again by Billie Holiday. Bennett recorded the same song Billie Holiday had made on her Lady in Satin album. “Billie Holiday made it in an album called "Lady In Satin."” (Fresh Air Archive (NPR))
• Johnny Mercer. Songwriter Johnny Mercer wrote a hit song specifically for Bennett to perform. “Johnny Mercer wrote "I Wanna Be Around" for me.” (Fresh Air Archive (NPR))
• Pearl Bailey. Pearl Bailey helped launch Bennett's career by insisting he perform alongside her. “In 1949, Pearl Bailey recognized Benedetto's talent and asked him to open for her in Greenwich Village .” (Wikipedia)
• Bucky Pizzarelli (1926). Gross recounts Bucky Pizzarelli's collaboration with Tony Bennett. “He played with Benny Goodman, Joe Venuti, Stephane Grappelli, Zoot Sims, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney and Peggy Lee.” (Fresh Air (NPR/WHYY))
• Cheek to Cheek. Cheek to Cheek was a Gaga–Bennett collaboration. “In September 2014, Gaga released a collaborative jazz album with Tony Bennett titled Cheek to Cheek .” (Wikipedia)
• Love for Sale. Love for Sale was Gaga’s second collaborative album with Bennett. “This was followed by her second collaborative album with Tony Bennett, titled Love for Sale , on September 30.” (Wikipedia)
• The Lady Is a Tramp by Rodgers & Hart. Gaga and Bennett worked together on a jazz version of the song. “In 2011, Gaga also worked with Tony Bennett on a jazz version of " The Lady Is a Tramp ",” (Wikipedia)
• Jazz Ultimate by Bobby Hackett (1957). Jazz Ultimate (Bobby Hackett) — geography for Tony Bennett “In 1965, he toured with the singer Tony Bennett.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Lady in Satin by Billie Holiday. Lady in Satin (Billie Holiday) — geography for Tony Bennett “A series of albums, often based on themes (such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, blues, or duets), met with largely positive reviews.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Waltz for Debby by Bill Evans (1962). Waltz for Debby (Bill Evans) — collaborator for Tony Bennett “He recorded some songs that would later become favorites, such as "What is This Thing Called Love?", and made two well-regarded albums with jazz pianist Bill Evans, The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album (1975) and Together Again (1976), but …” (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Atomic Mr. Basie by Count Basie (1958). The Atomic Mr. Basie (Count Basie) — collaborator for Tony Bennett “Bennett followed this by working with the Count Basie Orchestra, becoming the first male pop vocalist to sing with Count Basie's band.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Joanne by Lady Gaga (2016). Joanne (Lady Gaga) — collaborator for Tony Bennett “He attracted renewed acclaim late in his career for his collaboration with Lady Gaga, which began with the album Cheek to Cheek (2014); the two performers toured together to promote the album throughout 2014 and 2015.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Frank Sinatra School of the Arts. States that Bennett founded the school. “He founded the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens , New York, along with Exploring the Arts, a non-profit arts education program.” (Wikipedia)
• Exploring the Arts. States that Bennett founded the arts education organization. “He founded the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens , New York, along with Exploring the Arts, a non-profit arts education program.” (Wikipedia)
• Chuck Wayne. Wayne served as Bennett’s musical director. “In 1954, the guitarist Chuck Wayne became Bennett's musical director.” (Wikipedia)
• The Beatles. States that Bennett’s album included covers of Beatles songs. “It featured covers of Beatles and other current songs and a psychedelic art cover.” (Wikipedia)
• Christina Aguilera. States that Bennett performed with Aguilera. “a performance was done with Christina Aguilera and a comedy sketch was made with affectionate Bennett impressionist Alec Baldwin on Saturday Night Live ;” (Wikipedia)
• Queen Latifah. Names Queen Latifah among Bennett’s duet partners. “He sang duets with seventeen prominent singers of varying techniques, including Aretha Franklin , Willie Nelson , Queen Latifah , and Lady Gaga .” (Wikipedia)
• Paul McCartney by Paul McCartney. The record label credits McCartney on Bennett’s duet recording of “The Very Thought of You.” “6 RAGS TO RICHES – duet with Elton John 7 THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU – duet with Paul McCartney 8 COLD, COLD HEART – duet with Tim McGraw” (Legacy Recordings)
• Barbra Streisand. Streisand recorded “Smile” with Bennett. “In February 2006, Streisand recorded the song "Smile" alongside Tony Bennett at Streisand's Malibu home.” (Wikipedia)
• Ellington at Newport by Duke Ellington. Ellington at Newport (Duke Ellington) — geography for Tony Bennett “A series of albums, often based on themes (such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, blues, or duets), met with largely positive reviews.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Blue Rose by Rosemary Clooney (1956). Blue Rose (Rosemary Clooney) — peer for Tony Bennett (musicbrainz.org)
• After Midnight by Nat King Cole (1957). After Midnight (Nat King Cole) — peer for Tony Bennett “The show was in trouble financially despite efforts by NBC, Harry Belafonte, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Eartha Kitt, Frankie Laine, Peggy Lee, and Mel Tormé.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Black Coffee by Peggy Lee (1953). Black Coffee (Peggy Lee) — peer for Tony Bennett “Many of her compositions have become standards, performed by singers such as Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Diana Krall, Queen Latifah, Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Janel…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Simpsons by Matt Groening (1989). Tony Bennett guest starred as himself on The Simpsons, a notable first.
• Solitude by Duke Ellington. Bennett recorded Duke Ellington's composition "Solitude."

Who Tony Bennett influenced

• Call Me Irresponsible by Michael Bublé (2007). Call Me Irresponsible (Michael Bublé) — legacy for Tony Bennett “His musical influences include Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Elvis Presley, Bobby Darin and Sam Cooke.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Twentysomething by Jamie Cullum (2003). Twentysomething (Jamie Cullum) — legacy for Tony Bennett (musicbrainz.org)
• We Are in Love by Harry Connick Jr. (1990). We Are in Love (Harry Connick Jr.) — legacy for Tony Bennett