Life Is a Gift: The Zen of Bennett

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A moving and inspiring memoir from one of the greatest musical artists of all time "My given name is Anthony Dominick Benedetto, and Benedetto in Italian means 'the blessed one.' I couldn't say it any better than that."—Tony Bennett Legendary singer, artist, and performer, Tony Bennett has been one of the world's most beloved entertainers for more than six decades. From the 78 to the LP to the digital age, Tony has done it all and is still at the top of his game. In decade after decade, this artistic icon—who has won seventeen Grammys, sung for ten presidents, and performed for royalty—has refused to compromise his vision or values. His unwavering commitment to quality has helped him stay true to his classic sound and is the reason his music continues to endure. Mentored by such legends as Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole, Bennett has only gotten better with age, and his popularity continues to grow as each new generation discovers his timeless songs and incredible voice. In this entertaining and thoughtful memoir, a collection of soulful reflections and philosophies from his life and career, Bennett shares stories of friends and family and the essential lessons they have taught him: of the value of hard work and of creating art that continues to inspire; of perseverance and a dedication to excellence; of the necessity of humility, love, respect, and, most important, gratitude. Bennett cherishes the passion and insatiable thirst for knowledge that have shaped his life and made each day a journey of discovery. He pays tribute to all the remarkable talents he has had the honor to work with and to learn from, including Luciano Pavarotti, Judy Garland, Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Amy Winehouse, Willie Nelson, Lady Gaga, David Hockney, and k.d. lang, to name just a few. A magnificent testament to an extraordinary man and his art, and illustrated with Tony Bennett's own beautiful hand-drawn artwork, Life Is a Gift is a work that will captivate, delight, and be cherished by music lovers of all ages. From BooklistStarred Review At 86, iconic singer Bennett looks back on 60 years as a performer still beloved and loving what he does. Bennett has sung for presidents and royalty as well as adoring fans, carefully singing only well-crafted songs from the Great American Songbook . Bennett attributes his style to the techniques he learned in method-acting school as a young man on the GI Bill as well as from the lessons he learned from others during his long career, from Duke Ellington and Johnny Mercer to Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. Among his memories: a tired and aging Fred Astaire bemoaning the fact that when he went to parties all the women wanted to dance with him, yet spontaneously breaking into a dance; Judy Garland’s practical jokes; appearing with Rosemary Clooney on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, a forerunner of American Idol; collaborating and touring with k.d. lang. Bennett ends each chapter with the Zen of Bennett—the personal beliefs that shaped his success as an artist and a human being. Among them are improve yourself every day, create things of lasting quality, and when you choose friends, you’re choosing teachers. Bennett offers inspiring observations from a joyful life fully lived. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Bennett is revered by many generations, and promotion for this generous, upbeat memoir will be prominent and lavish. --Vanessa Bush About the AuthorTony Bennett 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. Over the course of his sixty-year career, he has sold millions of albums; has earned multiple platinum and gold records; has won two Emmy Awards and seventeen Grammys, including the Recording Academy's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award; and was named a Kennedy Center Honoree.