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.

World War II and after

This was interrupted when Benedetto was drafted into the United States Army in 1944 during World War II. He served as a replacement infantryman in the U.S. 63rd Infantry Division in France and Germany, moving across France during the winter, then fighting on the front lines in March and April 1945 as the Germans were pushed back across the Rhine. Benedetto narrowly escaping death several times. He would later write, "Anybody who thinks that war is romantic obviously hasn't gone through one." At the war's conclusion he was involved in the liberation of a Nazi concentration camp near Landsberg.

Related Topics:
United States Army - 1944 - World War II - U.S. 63rd Infantry Division - France - Germany - Front line - 1945 - Rhine - Nazi - Concentration camp - Landsberg

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Benedetto stayed in Germany as part of the occupying force, but was assigned to an informal Special Services band unit that would entertain nearby American forces. Later some remarks he made against the Army's racial segregation policies led to his being demoted and reassigned to Graves Registration duties, leading to a further dislike of the military. http://www.military.com/Careers/Content1?file=trans_tony_bennett.htm&area=Content

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Subsequently he sang with the Army military band under the stage name Joe Bari and played with many musicians who would have post-war careers.

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Upon his discharge from the Army and return to the States in 1946 he studied at the American Theater Wing on the GI Bill. He was taught the bel canto singing discipline, which would keep his voice in good shape for his entire career. He continued to perform wherever he could, including while waiting tables. He developed an unusual style of phrasing that involved imitating other musicians – such as Stan Getz's saxophone or Art Tatum's piano – as he sang, thus allowing him to improvise as he interpreted a song.

Related Topics:
1946 - American Theater Wing - GI Bill - Bel canto - Waiting tables - Stan Getz - Art Tatum

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In 1949 Pearl Bailey spotted his talent and asked him to open for her in Greenwich Village. She had invited Bob Hope to the show; Hope decided to bring Bari on the road with him, but suggested he use his real name simplified to Tony Bennett. In 1950 Bennett cut a demo and was signed to Columbia Records by Mitch Miller.

Related Topics:
1949 - Pearl Bailey - Greenwich Village - Bob Hope - 1950 - Columbia Records - Mitch Miller

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