Legendary entertainer and 17-time Grammy Winner Tony Bennett will become the first non-Hispanic celebrity personality to star in a primetime broadcast special on Univision - the country's leading Hispanic television network. Set to air tonight, December 9th at 9:00pm ET, "Feliz Navidad Con Los Nuestros...Tony Bennett y Sus Amigos" is a unique mix of live performances and filmed vignettes related to Bennett's newly released CD, VIVA DUETS - which features the singer performing his greatest hits with today's top Latin music artists.
Hosted by Univision's Giselle Blondet, the hour-long special will share exclusive behind-the scenes footage from the recording of VIVA DUETS - including studio performances and Segments with Marc Anthony, Romeo Santos, Gloria Estefan, Vicente Fernandez, Thalía, Juan Luis Guerra, Chayanne & more of today's leading Latin music figures. Tony Bennett will also treat audiences to solo performances of his classic hits "I Wanna Be Around" and "I Left My Heart In San Francisco," and unveil new duet performances with Latin stars Shaila Durcal and Armando Manzanero. Bennett will join Manzanero on a special rendition of the famed composer's "Yesterday I Heard The Rain," and collaborate with Durcal on "Steppin' Out (With My Baby)," and a heartfelt performance of "Silent Night" to usher in the holiday season.
VIVA DUETS recently debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart, giving Bennett his third consecutive top five album during his '80's (including the multi-platinum DUETS and DUETS II releases). Hailed by press as "a sublime & jovial meeting of cultures... a bilingual beauty and musical masterpiece," VIVA DUETS also hit #1 on iTunes charts in the U.S. and several Latin-American countries - including Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and El Salvador.
Tony Bennett commented, "It has been a heartwarming journey to meet and record with all the artists from the Latin music world and I have been overwhelmed by their generous spirit and musicality. I am truly honored to have been welcomed into this community of artists."
"We are honored to have a musical legend like Tony Bennett on our air," said Alberto Ciurana, president of Programming & Content, Univision Networks. "His music transcends cultures and speaks to our commitment to celebrate our culture and connect America, which is why we are proud to bring this event alongside an A-list line up of guests to our viewers."
Photos courtesy of Univision
Tony Bennett, Armando Manzanero
Tony Bennett, Shaila Durcal
Videos