Live Nation is pleased to announce a very special evening with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga on Monday 8th June 2015 at the Royal Albert Hall, London to celebrate their new collaborative jazz album Cheek To Cheek. The event will benefit WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children which has Prince Harry as its Patron. Colin Dyer, Chief Executive, WellChild comments that “WellChild is thrilled that Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett are supporting WellChild through this concert. The proceeds will be a massive boost to our work to support seriously ill children and their families across the UK.” This special performance of tracks from an album that was greeted with widespread praise and critical acclaim will feature both big band and orchestra. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday 31st of October and are available from www.livenation.co.uk
Cheek To Cheek features classic jazz standards sung by Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett in a combination of vocal duets and solo performances. From the title track to “But Beautiful” to “I Won’t Dance,” the record showcases the chemistry between the two artists, who span 60 years in age. As Bennett says, “What I really love about being a jazz singer is that jazz artists are very creative, very honest, from phrase to phrase” and Lady Gaga adds, “We wanted to make something that sounded perfect because of the quality of the emotion…the honesty.” Cheek To Cheek also features the Lady Gaga solo “Lush Life,” accompanied by Tony Bennett’s solo of “Sophisticated Lady.” The two songs complement each other, as Lady Gaga explains, “I loved making ‘Lush Life,’ Tony mentored me emotionally through the process,” and Tony Bennett adds, “I sang ‘Sophisticated Lady’ to answer her on ‘Lush Life,’ and because Duke Ellington wrote it, who collaborated with Billy Strayhorn, the writer of ‘Lush Life.’” Recorded in New York City, Cheek To Cheek took over a year to complete and features jazz musicians associated with both artists including members of Bennett’s quartet: Mike Renzi, Gray Sargent, Harold Jones and Marshall Wood as well pianist Tom Ranier. Jazz trumpeter Brian Newman, a long-time friend and colleague of Lady Gaga appears on the album as well with his NYC-based jazz quintet. Jazz soloists on selected tracks include tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano, trumpeter George Rabbai and flutist Paul Horn, who passed away in July.
Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga is produced by Live Nation Global Touring.
What the critics are saying about Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: ‘Cheek To Cheek’:
“Cheek to Cheek reiterates Bennett’s easy charm and flawless pitch, and shows Gaga in a fascinating new light. Pop’s odd couple strike gold” – 4*, Daily Mail
“Two accomplished vocalists having fun – Bennett keeps it suave, Gaga is a wonder” – 4*, The Guardian
“Songs from the Great American Songbook are sung with fealty to their roots, with backing by the cream of New York’s jazz scene. It’s a revelation.” – 4*, The Times
“What sounded on paper like a gimmick, turned out to be a match made in heaven.” – 4*, Daily Telegraph (Live show review from Brussels, Belgium)
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga tickets are on-sale from 9am on Friday 31st October priced at £130 / £125 / £110 / £85 / £65 / £55 / £45 (subject to per-ticket charge plus order processing fee) and are available from www.livenation.co.uk
WELLCHILD (www.wellchild.org.uk)
There are thousands of children and young people in the UK living with a serious or complex health condition. WellChild is the national charity working to ensure the best possible care and support for all these children and their families wherever they are and whenever they need it.