TONY BENNETT DIES AT 96:

The 19 – times GRAMMY Winner passed away at his home in NY surrounded by family. Anthony Dominick Benedetto (August 3, 1926 – July 21, 2023), known professionally as Tony Bennett, was an American singer with over 50 million records sold worldwide. He holds the record as the oldest artist to receive the #1 spot on Billboard 200, at age 85. In 2016 he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. His career spanned over 70 years. He served as a foot soldier in World War II. He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King and Selma, AL in 1965. A very big supporter of human rights for everyone.

Best known for his iconic song “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” earned Bennett his first career GRAMMYs for 1962 for Record Of The Year and Best Solo Vocal Performance. Other hits included, “Fly Me To The Moon,” “The Best Is Yet To Come,” and “The Way You Look Tonight” just to name a few.

Smooth Jazz Magazine had the honor to interview Mr. Bennett in 2016 before being diagnosed with the disease. I can truly say, he is the last of his era, a consummate professional with class and dignity, and after meeting him, you left with the feeling there is no one else like him. A favorite memory is getting a call from Lexi Lexis, who conducted the interview, and her excitement about receiving a handwritten letter thanking her and the magazine for the interview that we did with him.

You cannot get any more classier than that. You will be missed, sir… RIP Mr. Tony Bennett.