Tony Bennett to Celebrate 90th Birthday at Ravinia This August

Tony Bennett's given name, Benedetto, means "blessed" in Italian! It was meant to be! As he approaches his 90th Birthday on August 3, the master interpreter of American popular song is still electrifying Sold-Out crowds all over the world and recording chart-topping albums He is America's ruling pop and jazz singer! Through his dedication to the pursuit of excellence and insistence on quality, TONY BENNETT has become keeper of the flame of The Great American Songbook, and the pre-eminent singer of our time.

Celebrate TONY BENNETT's 90th Birthday when he headlines under the Ravinia stars on Saturday evening, August 13, at 8:30 PM. He will be joined by his acclaimed Tony Bennett Quartet: Musical director and pianist MIKE RENZI, guitarist GRAY SARGENT, drummer HAROLD JONES, and bassist MARSHALL WOOD.

This nonpareil music icon is embraced by all generations which is why, now headlining his 32nd year at Ravinia (since 1984), Tony Bennett is their most anticipated returning artist, and continues to sell out each and every thrilling performance. Ageless and brilliant, he is a true Renaissance man who sings and swings like no other, and still cuts a dashing figure on stage. His dear friend, FRANK SINATRA, called Tony Bennett "The best singer in the business!"

TICKETS GO ON SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, TUESDAY, APRIL 26: PAVILION - $101.00/$91.00. LAWN - $34.00. For tickets and information go to www.ravinia.org or call (847) 266-5100. All major credit cards accepted. Ravinia is located at the intersection of Lake Cook and Green Bay Roads in Highland Park, IL.

In a recent interview with WTOP News, Tony remarked: "I'm so fortunate because here I am going on 90 years old and my voice is in top shape. I have what I call a blessed life. I'm doing what I love and I'll never retire...... I'm going to sing and paint and try to get better and better!"

Tony Bennett's extraordinary accomplishments over the last two years are remarkable and inspiring. His captivating "CHEEK TO CHEEK" internationally acclaimed Sold-Out Tour with the incomparable LADY GAGA, earned raves and headlines all over the world! Their two-night engagement at Ravinia last June became the fastest sell-out in the Festival's history! Their "Cheek To Cheek" album opened to raves, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts, was named Billboard's #1 Jazz Album of the Year, and honored with a "Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album" Grammy Award (Tony's 18th). DOWNBEAT made Tony Bennett their December, 2015 cover story (the second time in one year!). He was also inducted into the Magazine's renowned "Downbeat Hall of Fame," and named #1 Jazz Artist in their 89th Annual Reader's Poll.

Bennett's most recent album, released in September, 2015, "The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern," collaborating with the superb jazz pianist BILL CHARLAP, garnered Tony his 19th Grammy last February, for "Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album;" and also debuted at #1 on the Billboard Jazz Charts. Charlap has offered Bennett the highest praise: "On an expressive level, Tony's gotten deeper and deeper over the years... His singing has wisdom and experience in the most beautiful way, yet very powerful!"

In 2016, embarking on his 90th year and still headlining Sold-Out concerts all over the world, Tony has found time to collaborate on a forthcoming book with the noted NPR journalist and host (and native Chicagoan) SCOTT SIMON.

No one in American popular music has recorded for so long and at such a high level of excellence as Tony Bennett. In the last ten years alone he has sold over ten million albums world-wide, and has continued to record chart-topping hits each decade since the 50's and now into the first two decades of the 21st Century! With many Platinum and Gold albums to his name, Tony is the recipient of 19 Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Grammy for "Record of the Year" honoring "MTV Unplugged," the album that introduced this American music icon to a whole new generation of admirers. As The New York Times reported at the time, "Tony Bennett didn't just bridge the generation gap, he demolished it!"

Tony has introduced a multitude of hits into The Great American Songbook, beginning in the 1950's with "Because Of You" and "Rags To Riches;" and all have become standards. His signature song, the double Grammy Award-winning "I Left My Heart In San Francisco," which he has often said made him a "Citizen of the World," was recorded 54 years ago! The songs that Tony Bennett sings are timeless! Frank Sinatra told his dear friend to "Always stay with good music!" Count Basie offered this advice, "Why change an apple!" He was honored with seven Emmy Awards for his NBC Prime Time Special, "Tony Bennett: An American Classic."

Tony has been in the front lines of every major issue impacting our country's modern history. Throughout his life, Tony Bennett has been a dedicated humanitarian selflessly supporting many causes whose goals benefit the lives of millions. He is a WWII veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge and participated in the liberation of a concentration camp. Tony marched side by side with Dr. Martin Luther King in Selma to support civil rights; and Coretta Scott King honored Bennett with the King Center's "Salute to Greatness" Award for his continued efforts in fighting racial discrimination. In 2014, Tony and his son and manager, DANNY BENNETT, created "Voices Against Violence" in support of stronger gun legislation. In 2005, he became a Kennedy Center Honoree, and was named an NEA Jazz Master. Tony was also honored by the United Nations with a "Citizen of the World" Award, and he is the recipient of Billboard Magazine's Century Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to American music. In June, Tony will receive the Variety Club's highest honor: their Entertainment Icon Award. He is only the sixth person (including Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, and Robert De Niro) to be so honored in the legendary Club's 112-year history!

Tony Bennett's two greatest passions are singing and painting! A dedicated artist, Anthony Benedetto's life (he paints under his given name) is as colorful and vibrant as the original artwork he has been creating since he was a youngster. Benedetto Originals are exhibited in renowned galleries and museums all over the world, along with numerous private collectors (the late Cary Grant was one). Tony's art is on permanent display at The Smithsonian, The National Portrait Gallery collection (his portrait of Duke Ellington, which was completed while performing in Chicago), The Butler Institute of American Art, the United Nations, and the landmark National Arts Club of New York. Several years ago, Bennett gifted Ravinia with an original work, "Ravinia: Music Under the Stars," which the venue continues to proudly display, along with posters in their gift shop.

Tony Bennett's wonderfully revealing autobiography, THE GOOD LIFE, was followed by his inspiring memoir and NY Times bestseller, LIFE IS A GIFT, which highlights the singer's personal philosophies learned throughout his life and career. An accompanying documentary, THE ZEN OF BENNETT created and conceived by Danny Bennett, is an intimate portrait of this remarkable man. There are also two exquisite coffee table books devoted to his stunning paintings: TONY BENNETT: WHAT MY HEART HAS SEEN and TONY BENNETT IN THE STUDIO: A LIFE OF ART AND MUSIC. In 2014, Time-Life Books published a beautifully illustrated commemorative biography, LIFE UNSEEN: TONY BENNETT.

When young people ask Tony Bennett how to get started as a performer, his answer has always been, "Get a good education first!" With that in mind, in 2001, Tony founded THE FRANK SINATRA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS in honor of his dear friend and mentor. In 2009, a state-of-the-art permanent facility was build in Bennett's hometown of Astoria, Queens, providing an extraordinary educational opportunity for youngsters who wish to pursue a career in the arts. With his wife, SUSAN BENEDETTO, Tony established EXPLORING THE ARTS (ETA), a non-profit organization that supports arts education in 17 public high schools in NYC and Los Angeles. Tony has often remarked that the inspiration for this School came about after his longtime friend the late Lois Weisberg, the dynamic former Chicago Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, took him on a visit to the city's innovative Block 37 when it was an urban space for aspiring young artists to showcase their talents.

In a sea of change, Tony has remained true to himself and to his music. He is, without question, the foremost interpreter of American popular song. When Tony Bennett sings about love it comes straight from his heart, and the intimacy he evokes is unparalleled. In a 2001 Vanity Fair interview, Bennett was asked, "How do you sing?" He replied, "I go along in the song, paying attention to the nuances of each line, and the breathing, and the spirit. Until I come to the word 'Love!' Then I give that word my attention. The word 'Love.' Get it?"

Tony Bennett has achieved the Great American Dream and in doing so has never forgotten his own roots. He is constantly working toward ensuring that others can pursue their passions and achieve their dreams.

In a remarkable career that has already spanned 67 years, as Tony approaches his 90th Birthday he continues to pursue the art of excellence. He has not wavered in his integrity, humanity, and dedication to his art, his country, and to his millions of admirers throughout the world.

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