The Great American Songbook Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission
to inspire and educate by celebrating the Great American Songbook.
Tony Bennett
2019 NEW STANDARD AWARD
No one in popular American music recorded for so long and at such a high level of excellence than Tony Bennett. Originally born in 1926 in the Astoria section of Queens, Tony sold millions of records world-wide and received nineteen Grammy Awards—including a 1995 Grammy for Record of the Year for his MTV Unplugged CD—and the Grammy Lifetime Award. His initial successes came via a string of Columbia singles in the early 1950s, including such chart-toppers as “Because of You,” “Rags to Riches,” and a remake of Hank Williams’ “Cold, Cold Heart.” He had 24 songs in the Top 40, including “I Wanna Be Around,” “The Good Life,” “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me),” and his signature song, “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.” Tony Bennett is one of a handful of artists to have new albums charting in the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and the first two decades of the 21st century. Tony’s collaborative jazz album with Lady Gaga, released in 2014, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 album charts, making Bennett, at the age of 88, the oldest artist to have a #1 album—breaking his own previously established historical record. Tony Bennett became a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2005, was named an NEA Jazz Master in January of 2006, a Citizen of the World award from the United Nations, and a Billboard Magazine Century Award in honor of his outstanding contributions to music. In November 2017, the Library of Congress presented Tony with The Gershwin Prize, marking the first time the honor has been bestowed upon an “interpretive singer” as, to that date, it had only been given to composers.
Learn more about Tony Bennett.
"Through song and art, I can communicate what I believe is the essence of life - truth and beauty. In my time, I've seen both go out of style but they always come back in vogue again."
- TONY BENNETT (1995 Good Housekeeping magazine interview)
Explore Tony's Life & Music
"Tony Bennett is the most unselfish performing artist today. He gives credit to everybody with him, including the fourth triangle player."
- DUKE ELLINGTON (in his autobiography, "Music Is My Mistress")
Remembering Tony Bennett
"I've met two presidents in office. I've met the Pope, Pavarotti - and Tony Bennett."
- B.B. KING (AARP magazine in 2003)
The Power of Music
In honor of Tony's battle with Alzheimer's disease, we encourage you to learn more about the power of music for older adults living with a dementia diagnosis or cognitive decline and our Perfect Harmony program, which seeks to engage seniors through meaningful, shared music experiences.
