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Two headshots of Tony Bennett, one young and one recent, superimposed on a geometric background.

Tony Bennett

The Gershwins created some of our most beautiful music. Their songs had gorgeous poetry and wonderful musicality. Their music is timeless and will live forever.
—Tony Bennett

2017 Gershwin Tony Bennett Videos

The legendary Tony Bennett has been a star since 1951, exemplifying the essence of the Great American Songbook with hits such as “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” and “The Shadow of Your Smile.” He has won 19 Grammys, including a 2001 Lifetime Achievement Award and a Grammy for Album of the Year for his 1994 release “MTV Unplugged,” which introduced him to a whole new generation. His 2006 release “Duets: An American Classic” featured performances with Paul McCartney, Elton John, Bono and others, winning three Grammys and going on to be one of the best-selling CDs of Bennett’s career. The follow up release in 2011 “Duets II” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Album charts, making Bennett the only artist at age 85 or older to achieve this in the history of recorded music. He broke this record three years later with his 2014 chart-topping collaboration with Lady Gaga, “Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek to Cheek”, which debuted at No. 1 and received a 2015 Grammy. Recently retired, Bennett leaves an unmatched legacy of musical accomplishment and a unique place in recording history.

Image gallery

American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in Tony Bennett's honor and a congratulatory certificate Honoree Tony Bennett receives an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in his honor. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden (holding certificate) with Members of Congress presenting Tony Bennett with a United States flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in his honor and a congratulatory certificate Honoree Tony Bennett with dinner hosts Buffy Cafritz and Marjorie Furman, Hay-Adams Hotel Honoree Tony Bennett addressing dinner attendees at reception for the Gershwin Prize at the Hay-Adams Hotel Honoree Tony Bennett posing in front of a step-and-repeat for Gershwin Prize concert Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and Tony Bennett pose in front of a step-and-repeat at the Gershwin Prize concert. Tony Bennett giving a thumbs-up to the audience from the honoree's box Tony Bennett addressing the audience at the Gershwin Prize concert Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden presenting Tony Bennett with the Gershwin Prize medal on stage Tony Bennett performing on stage at the Gershwin Prize concert Tony Bennett with Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and guests giving performer Wé McDonald, a standing ovation at the Gershwin Prize concert Stevie Wonder and Gloria Estefan performing on stage at the Gershwin Prize concert Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and Nancy Pelosi with Congressional leadership applaud Tony Bennett (center) while he salutes the audience. Tony Bennett viewing a special display of items from the Library's collections. Tony Bennett and Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden view rare items from the Library's collections. Close-up profile shot of a smiling Tony Bennett Tony Bennett visits the Gershwin Room in the Library of Congress. Tony Bennett vewing the exhibition in the George and Ira Gershwin Room at the Library of Congress Tony Bennett and Gloria Estefan on concert night at Constitution Hall Concert night at Constitution Hall, November 15, 2017 2 of 6 Concert night at Constitution Hall, November 15, 2017 3 of 6 Concert night at Constitution Hall, November 15, 2017 4 of 6 Concert night at Constitution Hall, November 15, 2017 5 of 6 Concert night at Constitution Hall, November 15, 2017 6 of 6