Bennett enthralls with inspiring music

MANILA, Philippines - With his marvelous voice and fantastic appeal, legendary singer Tony Bennett has figuratively left his heart not only in San Francisco — to paraphrase the title of his signature song — but in many other corners of the world where his music has enjoyed immense popularity and acclaim.

In the Philippines, where he has touched the lives of millions of fans with his songs, he counts a strong and loyal following that never seems to have enough of him despite the number of times he has performed here in the past.

The years have not dimmed the luster of Bennett’s star and his magic lives on among diverse fans inspired by his vocal wizardry and technique that breathe life to the sweet melodies and beautiful harmonies of his music.  

Bennett, whose warm, husky voice made I Left My Heart In San Francisco and other standards all-time favorites, will reunite with his Pinoy fans in another journey down memory lane during his much-awaited return engagement on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center at the CCP Complex in Pasay City.

MMI and Ovation Productions have teamed up to bring back the American superstar to the country as part of the Asian segment of his current world tour that covers major cities in the US, South America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

Billed as Tony Bennett In Concert 2013, the one-night musical event promises a wonderful evening of classic popular music, standards, show tunes and jazz through an awesome array of songs popularized by one of the best-selling male singers and artists of all time for more than 60 years.

It will spotlight the talent and style of a musician who, at 87, still exudes an enduring appeal and irresistible charm as he dazzles audiences with his music in his strong and perfect-pitch tenor.

Other standards that Bennett has been acclaimed for include Because Of You, Blue Velvet, Rags To Riches, Stranger In Paradise, The Lady Is A Tramp, The Way You Look Tonight, Smile, Who Can I Turn To, The Best Is Yet To Come and many more.

Bennett, who began singing at an early age, made his recording debut in 1951 with his first single, Because Of You, which sold over a million copies and reached No. 1 on the pop charts. This was followed by other hits like Blue Velvet, Rags To Riches and Stranger In Paradise, which made him one of the most popular recording artists of the time.

After creating his own singing technique to encompass jazz, Bennett reached the peak of artistic achievements with the release in the late ’50s of two incomparable jazz albums, Bennett Sings and The Beat Of My Heart, and his collaboration with Count Basie that resulted in two albums, with Chicago and Jeepers Creepers becoming popular songs.

(Tickets are priced at P12,657, P10,548, P6,328 and P3,164. For info, call Ticketworld  at 891-9999 or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph)