Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett (born August 3, 1926) is an American popular music, standards, and jazz singer who is widely considered to be one of the best interpretative singers in these genres.

Early life

Anthony Dominick Benedetto was born in the Astoria section of Queens in New York City. (Though some records show that the first name on his birth certificate is Antonio.) His father was a grocer and his mother a seamstress.

Related Topics:
Astoria - Queens - New York City - Grocer - Seamstress

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He grew up listening to Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, and jazz artists such as Louis Armstrong, Jack Teagarden, and Joe Venuti. An uncle was a tap dancer in vaudeville, giving him an early window into show business.

Related Topics:
Al Jolson - Eddie Cantor - Judy Garland - Bing Crosby - Louis Armstrong - Jack Teagarden - Joe Venuti - Tap dancer - Vaudeville - Show business

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By age 10 the young Benedetto was already singing, performing at the opening of the Triborough Bridge.

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He attended New York's High School of Industrial Arts where he studied music and painting (an interest he would always return to as an adult), but dropped out at age 16 to help support his family. He then set his sights on a professional singing career, performing as a singing waiter in several Queens Italian restaurants.

Related Topics:
High School of Industrial Arts - Music - Painting

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