The late great Frank Sinatra once said “For my money, Tony Bennett is the best singer in the business. He excites me when I watch him. He moves me. He’s the singer who gets across what the composer has in mind and probably a little more.” This past Thursday evening, the Avalon Ballroom in Niagara Falls was certainly excited and moved as Tony Bennett delivered a stunning performance filled with originals and a multitude of iconic covers. The longevity of Bennett’s career was mirrored in this pristine and polished show. At 89 years young, Bennett still has the moves and the voice that make him stand out as one of the great classic American singers. The evening started off with a very special guest, Tony Bennett’s daughter Antonia Bennett, taking the stage to warm up the audience with a captivating three song set. Highlighted by a stirring rendition of “Always on My Mind,” Antonia proved that talent is certainly a Bennett family trait. After Antonia bid farewell, Tony took the stage to a loud standing ovation.
Tony Bennett, being the legendary singer he is, has the privilege of being able to choose the best performers to back him. For tonight’s performance, he had the three piece support of Harold Jones (drums), Marshall Wood (bass) and Mike Renzi(piano). Mike Renzi, throughout the night, had the spotlight on him as he established why he is one of the most sought after pianists in the world.
Tony Bennett’s singing career has entered its seventh decade and the song list consisted of songs from his 1952 album “Because of You” all the way to his most recent 2015 release “The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern.” Bennett’s voice has not diminished in this time and classic hits such as “The Good Life” and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” were sang as perfectly as they had been years before. The evening was filled with memorable moments, including a very special duet between father and daughter during “Old Friends.” To close off the spectacular evening, Tony Bennett laid his microphone down and filled the room with his voice during “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Tony Bennett is truly a class act. With a humble smile and a skip in his step you can tell that he loves what he does and that, I believe, is the secret to what keeps him so youthful. Bennett is the renaissance man of music, having performed with the likes of Paul McCartney and Elton John as well as more modern artists such as Lady Gaga and John Legend. Bennett continually proves that he is multi-talented, young and able. Be sure you catch Tony Bennett the next time he is in town and don’t let the Good Life pass you by.
Antonia Bennett’s Setlist:
Teach Me Tonight
Always On My Mind (Brenda Lee Cover)
From This Moment On
Tony Bennett’s Setlist:
Watch What Happens
They All Laughed (George Gershwin cover)
Maybe This Time (Liza Minnelli cover)
I Got Rhythm (George Gershwin cover)
(In My)Solitude (Duke Ellington cover)
Sing You Sinners
Old Friends w/Antonia Bennett (Stephen Sondheim cover)
Steppin’ Out With My Baby (Irving Berlin cover)
But Beautiful (Johnny Burke cover)
Love is Here to Stay
Just the Way You Look Tonight (Jerome Kern cover)
Just In Time (Jule Styne cover)
Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Hal Kemp and His Orchestra cover)
The Good Life
How Do You Keep The Music Playing? (Michel Legrand cover)
Shadow Of Your Smile (Johnny Mandel cover)
One For My Baby and One More For the Road (Harold Arlen cover)
For Once in My Life (Jean DuShon cover)
I’m Old Fashioned
I Left My Heart In San Francisco
Who Cares
Smile (Charlie Chaplin cover)
When You’re Smiling (Seger Ellis cover)
Fly Me To The Moon (Kaye Ballard cover)
Photos by BackstageAxxess Correspondent Brandon Taylor.
We would like to thank Jennifer Murphy from the Fallsview Casino for the credentials to review the show.
