BBC Radio 2 pays tribute to Tony Bennett following his death

Following the sad news of the death of Tony Bennett, BBC Radio 2 has paid tribute to the legendary New York pop and jazz singer.

In addition to featuring his songs on air, two special programmes are available on BBC Sounds.

Tony Bennett Presents The Great American Songbook is another chance to hear his series originally broadcast in 2010.

A legend from the American swing era, Tony Bennett guides the Radio 2 audience through his selection of the 40 defining songs from the Great American Songbook.

Tony lived the songs, sung the songs and now he offers his personal thoughts, insights and insider’s view on the greatest compositions ever written.

As Sir Michael Parkinson leads the way through the ten songs covered each week, we hear Tony’s anecdotes about the people who created them, the pantheon of singers who have interpreted them and, of course, his views about what makes each one special.

The Great American Songbook is an informal phrase, originally coined by Tony himself, which describes the interrelated music of Broadway musical theatre, the Hollywood musical and Tin Pan Alley, in a period that begins in the 1920s. Aside from the enduring popularity of this music in its original context, it also became the central repertoire for jazz musicians.

Listen on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0014qm4/episodes/player

Tony Bennett at the BBC is a celebration of the life and music of the singing superstar (1926-2023). Tony talks about his early life, starting out as a singer, his involvement in the Civil Rights movement and his approach to songs and music making which would bring him so much success in a career spanning more than 70 years.

He also talks about his many collaborations with a list of great artists that includes Count Basie, Stan Getz, Bill Evans, Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga.

Featuring Boulevard Of Broken Dreams, Stranger In Paradise, (I Left My Heart) In San Francisco, I Wanna Be Around, Steppin’ Out With My Baby, Body and Soul, It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) and How Do You Keep The Music Playing.

Listen on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001pgg1