Life Is a Gift: The Zen of Bennett
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I asked Danny to get hold of the family that owned the song, and they gave us an okay for me to write the lyrics, inspired by and dedicated to my wife, Susan Benedetto, which became “All for You.” And oddly enough, I wrote the lyrics in only an hour. I guess from interpreting songs for so many years, I know to stay away from trite material, and I thought it came out pretty well. Then when we were in Fresno, California, I performed it in front of an audience for the first time, and I was bowled over by their reaction; they went crazy for it. So at eighty-six, I now have my first songwriting credit.
Some singers’ voices start to wobble when they get older. I once asked Sinatra what he’d do to beat wobbling, and he said he wasn’t sure, but that if it ever started to happen to his voice, he’d just quit. To avoid that, I work every day doing my scales, and I really concentrate on holding my notes without vibrato. A dear friend and accomplished musician, Abe Katz, who was the first trumpet for the New York Philharmonic, told me that he holds notes with no vibrato, as that’s the best way to keep focused so the notes remain strong and clear. And that works for singing, too. If my voice does start to falter at some point, I guess I’ll just become a painter.
The late jazz vocalist Joe Williams told me, “It’s not that you want to sing; it’s that you have to sing.” And that is true—I have to do it. I can’t think of a nobler occupation than to try to make people forget their problems for an hour and a half. You lift up their spirits and give them a feeling of hope. That’s what a good psychiatrist does to help patients.
On the day of a show, I can’t wait to hit the stage. I prepare all day long to go out there, and I try to get right into the pocket of the public so they have a really great evening. I can’t think of a better way to live. I’m never tired of it; every night feels like a new experience, and I’ve never been bored a single moment when I’m performing.
I have no desire whatsoever to retire; if I’m lucky, I just want to get better as I get older. Through the years, you shed the idea of competition and the desire to be the best; instead, you just want to get better for yourself. And if you do what you’re passionate about, the material things will come. I never need a vacation because I have a passion to sing and paint, and I get to do both every day. As far as I’m concerned, I’ve never worked a day in my life.
I encourage everyone to find their passion. Work as hard as you can to follow your dreams; they will ultimately lead you to contentment in every aspect of your life. It is my goal at the end of each day to be able to lay my head on my pillow, knowing I’ve tried my best.
There are a lot of things I want to do. I’m blessed with the fact that I have my health, and my wish is for this to continue, so I can keep plugging away for a long time. Long ago, I realized that nobody beats death. You’re as good as your last breath. Duke Ellington said it best: “Number one: Don’t quit. Number two: Listen to number one.”
The Zen of Bennett
It’s good to accept challenges. Never let people put you in a box.
You can’t plan life; life plans you.
If you stay flexible and roll with the punches, you can survive.
The more you study, the more you learn what to leave out and what to keep in.
A lifelong habit of reading allows you to learn from the masters.
Shed the idea of competition, and of being the best. Instead, desire to improve only by being yourself.
If you follow your passion, you’ll never work a day in your life.
Untitled
Artwork
The Duke Ellington Orchestra
Saxophone
Musician, The Pearl Bailey Show
Untitled
Musician (Bass)
San Francisco
My Mom
Ralph Sharon
Dick Hyman
Duke Ellington—Black Rain
Count Basie Band
Fred Astaire
The South of France
“Rosie” Clooney
Carmen McRae at the Blue Note, May ’90
Frank Sinatra
Lady Gaga
Danny Bennett Meditating
Jazz
John Heard
Louis by Bennett
k.d. lang (rehearsing)
Charlie Chaplin
Lady Gaga
Sinatra
Triborough Bridge From Astoria, June ’86
San Francisco
London
Self-Portrait
Bill Evans
Susan
Jon Burr
Ronnie White on Cole Porter’s Piano, At the Waldorf
“I Remember Clifford”
Untitled
My Quartet: Lee, Harold, Gray, and Marshall:
Self-Portrait
Lee Musiker—“Maestro”—Piano
Harold Jones—“Mr. Time”—Drums
Gray Sargent—The “Puccini” of Guitar
Marshall Wood—Bass
All artwork © Tony Bennett/Anthony Benedetto and used courtesy of Benedetto Arts, LLC.
Acknowledgments
I would like to acknowledge:
My son and manager, Danny Bennett, and the entire RPM Productions team: Sylvia Weiner, Hadley Spanier, Dawn Olejar, Joe Rhoades, and my assistant, Seth Ferris, for all their support and help at every turn.
I’d like to thank my tour manager, Vance Anderson; my sound man, Tom Young; and my quartet: Lee Musiker, Gray Sargent, Harold Jones, and Marshall Wood; as well as all the musicians who have supported me through the years.
Dick Golden, for his invaluable contributions.
WME and my literary agent, Mel Berger.
HarperCollins, for all their enthusiasm and belief in the project; particularly Lisa Sharkey and Amy Bendell.
Leslie Wells and Jonathan Ehrlich for all their great work.
My wife, Susan Benedetto, for keeping everything on track.
And my dear friend Mitch Albom for his kind words.
My Quartet: Lee, Harold, Gray, and Marshall
Photographic Insert
My brother, John, was a wonderful child opera singer—and a great dresser!
Courtesy of the author
John and me, all “suited up” in 1941 in Astoria, Queens.
Courtesy of the author
I gave this little boy food from my Army rations right after this photo was taken in Wiesbaden, Germany, during World War II.
Courtesy of the author
Singing with the quartet from the 255th Regiment Band.
Courtesy of the author
With my Army buddies, the brothers Freddie and Stan Katz.
Courtesy of the author
Columbia’s famed studio dubbed “The Church”—it was one of the best studios ever built. Don Hunstein © Sony Music Entertainment
My fans have been great to me throughout the years.
Don Hunstein © Sony Music Entertainment
I just love performing in front of a live audience.
Don Hunstein © Sony Music Entertainment
I had the chance to see Jimmy Durante as a teen at the Copacabana—it was one of the best spots in town for live performance. Don Hunstein © Sony Music Entertainment
With my mom, all dressed up in our Easter Sunday best.
Courtesy of the author
When I record in the studio, I try to get it as close to a “live” performance as possible. Don Hunstein © Sony Music Entertainment
Mitch Miller never cared for jazz, but we made a deal that every other album I did would be jazz.
Don Hunstein © Sony Music Entertainment
When I first started out, we would record four songs in three hours—today they take three weeks to record one song!
Don Hunstein © Sony Music Entertainment
It was a dream come true to record two albums and perform live with Count Basie—he was a jazz master.
Don Hunstein © Sony Music Entertainment
With my sons, Danny and Daegal—I love the fact that they are so invo
lved in my career. Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment
Louis Armstrong said to me, “You’ve out-Rembrandted Rembrandt!” He had a marvelous sense of humor.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Two of my all-time heroes, Cary Grant and Robert F. Kennedy.
Thomas Monaster ©
It was the greatest honor to march in Selma with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and my dear friend Harry Belafonte. Charles Moore/Black Star
My mom was loved by everybody. I still wear her ring on a chain around my neck.
Thomas Monaster ©
It was a thrill to get this signed photo from Frank in 1986.
Alan Berliner/BEImages
It was an honor to have Valentine’s Day 2012 named Tony Bennett Day in San Francisco. Magic! VanoPhotoSF
Piano and voice—I loved working this way with Bill Evans so much. We made two albums together. VanoPhotoSF
Dizzy Gillespie called me up onstage to have a bebop jam session at the Blue Note in New York.
Associated Press
Rosemary Clooney and I were the first American Idols. We started out together at Columbia Records—she was one of the most natural and gifted singers I have ever heard.
Courtesy of Farm Journal Media
I got a chance to see Maurice Chevalier when I was just a kid growing up in Queens—what an absolute inspiration he was for me as a performer.
Courtesy of the author
What a treat to win my first Emmy Award and have it presented to me by my dear friend Carol Burnett.
© 1996 Academy of Television Arts & Sciences ©® ATAS/NATAS
One of my favorite duet partners—my daughter Antonia.
Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment
One of my all-time favorite presidents and people—William Jefferson Clinton. Sharon Farmer/Official White House Photograph
Stevie Wonder played phenomenal jazz piano for me at this session—he reminded me of the jazz maestro Oscar Peterson.
Mark Seliger
Once, while singing “Lost in the Stars” at the Hollywood Bowl in L.A., a shooting star went right over the stage. Ray called me the next day and asked, “Tony, how did you do that?” Christy Bush
k.d. lang is so honest when she sings. I just love her.
Mark Seliger
I have the utmost respect for Stevie—as a musician and a humanitarian.
Mark Seliger
I love having my daughter Antonia perform on the road with me these days. She’s terrific! Annique Delphine, taken at the iTunes Festival 2010
My daughters, Johanna and Antonia, celebrating Exploring the Arts at our gala in 2011. Their support is so important to me.
Femal Countess/Getty Images
I gave the Beatles their first major awards in 1965, and my first thought of Paul was that he had “it”—the star factor. Steve Fennings
The master of Zen—it was an honor to meet His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, at an event I attended in 2010 through the Gere Foundation with my daughter Johanna. David Turnley
I always have fun hanging around with Michael Bublé!
Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment
John Legend is an exceptional composer and singer.
Reuben Cox
I love working and spending time with James Taylor.
He is a true gentleman. Reuben Cox
When I sang “Lullaby of Broadway” with the Dixie Chicks, I thought they sounded just like the Andrews Sisters.
Reuben Cox
What a thrill to sing one of my all-time favorite songs, “Smile,” with Barbra Streisand. Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment
Diana Krall is a wonderful jazz musician—every time I see her, she gets better and better. Reuben Cox
Jazz music has no bigger fan than Clint Eastwood—and he composes his own music. Adam Rose
I was honored to be invited by the president and first lady to sing at the White House at a tribute to Stevie Wonder.
Pete Souza/Official White House Photograph
Elton John is the ultimate professional—when we recorded “Rags to Riches” for Duets, we did it in thirty-six minutes!
Reuben Cox
Recording with Lady Gaga was the most fun I have ever had in the studio. She is a true artist, and she will be as big as Elvis Presley.
Kelsey Bennett
Willie Nelson has a wonderful face—I was glad to have a chance to sketch him when we recorded together in Nashville.
Monroe Robertson
Nat King Cole would be so proud of his daughter Natalie—she is a magnificent singer and a beautiful person. Josh Cheuse
Performing at the Metropolitan Opera, I loved having Aretha Franklin join me onstage for a duet. Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Josh Groban got a kick out of singing with just my jazz quartet, and not a symphony orchestra, when we recorded together. Kelsey Bennett
Amy Winehouse was one of a kind—an absolute genius.
Kelsey Bennett
I loved the fact that John Mayer wore a suit to our recording session—and he is a wonderful blues singer. Courtesy of the author
It was such fun to get to work with Robert De Niro when I did a cameo in the film Analyze This. Larry Busacca/Getty Images
One of my dearest friends, Harry Belafonte, with his lovely wife, Pam, visiting the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts. Kelsey Bennett
Susan and me on the opening day of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in 2009. The students there are fantastic—they give their all every day.
Gary Gershoff/Getty Images
My beautiful wife, Susan, and our Teacup Maltese, Happy.
Rubén Martín
There is no better inspiration for art than studying nature.
Courtesy of the author
With Daegal and Danny, visiting our ancestral home, Podargoni, in Calabria, Italy. Kelsey Bennett
In Calabria, Italy, re-creating the family legend that my father would sing on the top of the mountain overlooking his village, and that people at the foot of the mountain could hear him.
Kelsey Bennett
Seventeen Grammy Awards! I can hardly believe it!
Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/Danny Clinch © 2007
About the Author
Tony Bennett, a true “Renaissance man,” grew up in Astoria, Queens, during the Great Depression in a family of Italian immigrants. After serving as an infantryman in World War II, he studied singing, and then signed with Columbia Records, releasing his first hit in 1951. He entered his seventh decade as a recording artist with seventeen Grammy Awards to his name, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a multiple Emmy winner. He made history in the 1990s when he won the coveted Grammy Album of the Year for his MTV Unplugged, beloved by audiences from nine to ninety. He is credited with heralding in the iPod generation; as the New York Times aptly put it, “he has not just bridged the generation gap; he has demolished it.” He has performed for eleven United States presidents, and has appeared at seven Royal Command Performances.
In addition to performing, Tony Bennett is an accomplished visual artist, with three of his original paintings featured in the permanent collection at the Smithsonian Institution. Tony marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King in 1965 on the historic march to Selma, and his humanitarian efforts are renowned; the United Nations honored him with their Humanitarian Award in 2007. Bennett founded, in association with the Board of Education in New York City, the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts—a public high school for the arts in his hometown of Astoria, Queens. With his wife, Susan, he established Exploring the Arts, a charitable organization that supports arts education in public high schools in New York City.
Tony is the author of three books, The Good Life, Tony Bennett: What My Heart Has Seen, and Tony Bennett in the Studio: A Life of Art and Music. A new documentary, The Zen of Bennett, created and conceived by the singer’s son Danny Bennett, recently premiered at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival, and is a companion project to this lates
t book by Tony, Life Is a Gift: The Zen of Bennett.