Tony Bennett Returns to Ravinia

Music icon Tony Bennett, the master interpreter of American popular song, returns to Ravinia on Saturday evening, September 8, at 8:30 PM, for his 39th concert since first headlining at the renowned suburban Chicago venue (America's oldest outdoor music festival) in the summer of 1984. He is one of the Festival's most beloved and eagerly anticipated artists, performing to thousands of Sold-Out crowds each season. Standing ovations begin before the legendary performer sings one note!

Tickets go onsale Thursday, May 10. To purchase and for further information go to ravinia.org. Pavilion: $153.00/$123.00; Lawn: $46.00. Ravinia is located at the intersection of Lake Cook and Green Bay Roads in Highland Park, IL.

Tony Bennett's Very Special Guest Antonia Bennett also embraces The Great American Songbook. Appearing with her father is "A distinct privilege!" There is a mutual love and pride between the two performers. Tony is often ringside cheering Antonia during her many solo engagements, including one at Manhattan's famed Café Carlyle. The very finest jazz musicians comprise The Tony Bennett Quartet: Pianist TOM RANIER, Guitarist GRAY SARGENT, Drummer HAROLD JONES, and Bassist MARSHALL WOODS.

About to celebrate his 92nd Birthday on August 3, Tony Bennett is the ageless and timeless jazz master singing and swinging to perfection and still cuts a handsome and dashing figure onstage. His millions of admirers span the generations and Ravinia audiences are no exception!

In the last decade alone, Tony has sold over ten-million albums world-wide and has continued to record chart-topping hits since the 1950's, now into the Millennium. He has been honored with 19 Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award and a "Record of the Year" Grammy for MTV Unplugged, plus many gold and platinum albums. Tony Bennett's name is synonymous with the multitude of hits he has introduced into The Great American Songbook, beginning with "Because of You" and "Rags to Riches." Tony's 2015 "Cheek to Cheek" Tour with Lady Gaga earned raves and made headlines around the world. The jazz album that followed received a Grammy for "Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album," debuted at #1 on The Billboard Top 200 Album Charts, and was named Billboard's #1 Jazz Album of the Year...making Tony, at a youthful 88, the oldest artist to have a #1 album! Bennett and Lady's two-night Ravinia engagement became the fastest sell-out in the Festival's 111-year-old history!

Throughout his life Tony Bennett has been a dedicated humanitarian making a difference in 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 with his good friend Harry Belafonte alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from Selma to Montgomery in support of Civil Rights. Coretta Scott King honored Bennett with the Martin Luther King Center's "Salute to Greatness" Award for his ongoing efforts in fighting racial discrimination.

A 2005 Kennedy Center Honoree is just one of the many honors bestowed upon this National Treasure. In 2006, he was named an NEA jazz master, received the United Nations "Citizen of the World" Award, and honored with Billboard's "Century Award" in recognition of his outstanding contributions to American music. In 2015, Downbeat inducted Tony into the Magazine's esteemed "Downbeat Hall of Fame." Last year he received the Variety Club's highest honor, their "Entertainment Icon" Award, only the sixth person (including Frank Sinatra) to be so honored in the Club's 112-year history.

Tony Bennett is, without question, the foremost interpreter of American popular song. In a sea of change, this brilliant artist has remained true to himself and to his music. He has not wavered in his integrity, humanity and dedication to his art, and to his millions of admirers throughout the world.

To post a comment, you must register and login.