Tony Bennet & Lady Gaga – Cheek To Cheek Tour

TONY BENNETT & LADY GAGA CHEEK TO CHEEK TOUR – BETHEL WOOD CENTER
In celebration of their new collaborative jazz album Cheek To Cheek, the pair of icons will join forces July 25 at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

Both artists will be accompanied by a full orchestra along with each artist’s jazz ensembles who will also serve as special guests for the evening.

Cheek to Cheek debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts upon its release on Sept. 23. Now at 88, Bennett remains the oldest artist in music industry history to have an album on the #1 spot on the Billboard charts. Cheek To Cheek marks Lady Gaga’s third consecutive #1 album release in just over three years.

Cheek To Cheek features classic jazz standards sung by Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett in a combination of vocal duets and solo performances. From the title track to “But Beautiful” to “I Won’t Dance,” the record showcases the chemistry between the two artists, who span 60 years in age. As Bennett says, “What I really love about being a jazz singer is that jazz artists are very creative, very honest, from phrase to phrase” and Lady Gaga adds, “We wanted to make something that sounded perfect because of the quality of the emotion…the honesty.” Cheek To Cheek also features the Lady Gaga solo “Lush Life,” accompanied by Tony Bennett’s solo of “Sophisticated Lady.” The two songs complement each other, as Lady Gaga explains, “I loved making ‘Lush Life,’ Tony mentored me emotionally through the process,” and Tony Bennett adds, “I sang ‘Sophisticated Lady’ to answer her on ‘Lush Life,’ and because Duke Ellington wrote it, who collaborated with Billy Strayhorn, the writer of ‘Lush Life.’” Recorded in New York City, Cheek To Cheek took over a year to complete and features jazz musicians associated with both artists including members of Bennett’s quartet: Mike Renzi, Gray Sargent, Harold Jones and Marshall Wood as well pianist Tom Ranier. Jazz trumpeter Brian Newman, a long-time friend and colleague of Lady Gaga appears on the album as well with his NYC-based jazz quintet. Jazz soloists on selected tracks include tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano, trumpeter George Rabbai and flutist Paul Horn, who passed away in July.

What the critics are saying about the just aired TV special, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek to Cheek LIVE!

“Simply put Cheek to Cheek LIVE! is a full hour of great music” – Dallas Morning News

“We’ll just remind you they’re actually both divine live performers and they’ve got great chemistry.” – The Washington Post

“In Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek to Cheek Live!, this musical odd couple with 60 year age differences take on the Great American Songbook and prove again that the classics can bridge many divides” The New York Times

“Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett make beautiful music together. This goes beyond great, actually. Two splendid singers are backed by brilliant instrumentalists.” – The Californinan

What the critics are saying about the #1 CD, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek To Cheek:

“An unlikely pairing results in beautiful music…She’s a revelation” – People Magazine

“Cheek to Cheek serves up the real thing, start to finish. If you didn’t know the name of the vocalist and the kind of publicity that surrounds her, you’d surely say: Who’s that swing singer, and why haven’t I heard of her before?” – Chicago Tribune

“Gaga and Bennett? It’s an epic musical mash-up” – USA Today

“…Magical results…glorious jazz album…a musical match made in jazz/standards heaven…there is so much to enjoy and discover…intoxicating prowess…” – Chicago Sun Times

Member presale begins Friday, January 23.

BETHEL WOODS CENTER FOR THE ARTS IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CULTURAL ORGANIZATION THAT INSPIRES, EDUCATES, AND EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES
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