Jazz legend Tony Bennett dies at 97

CNN reported on July 21 (Vietnam time) that Tony Bennett's longtime representative, Sylvia Weiner, confirmed that the famous singer had passed away in his hometown of New York at the age of 97.

The cause of the great jazz legend 's death has not been announced.

Tony Bennett is known as a great musical legend of Jazz music.

In 2021, Tony Bennett and his family shared that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, a brain disease that affects memory, thinking, and behavior.

However, Tony is optimistic: "Life is a gift - even when you have dementia."

The famous singer was diagnosed with the disease in 2016, but the music-loving public was unaware because he continued to perform as usual.

His wife, Susan, once said: "He is not the Tony of the past. But when he sings, he is still Tony."

Gayatri Devi, a neurologist who diagnosed Tony in 2016, said he had cognitive problems but many other areas of the brain had recovered and were functioning well.

"At 95, he is doing so many things that people without dementia cannot do. He is truly a symbol of hope for people with cognitive disorders," Gayatri Devi said in 2021.

Tony Bennett's last public appearance.

Tony Bennett was born in 1926 in Astoria, New York. He first came to prominence with the worldwide hit "Because of You" released in 1951. The song marked his first mark on the world music scene, and also marked the beginning of his seven-decade musical career.

In 1952, Tony Bennett released "I left my heart in San Francisco" - the song that made his name.

During his illustrious career, Tony Bennett released more than 70 albums and won 20 prestigious Grammy Awards - including the Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 2014, at age 88, Bennett broke his own record as the oldest active musician to have an album reach number one on the Billboard 200, with his duet with Lady Gaga, “Cheek to Cheek.”

His last album was "Love for Sale", a collaboration with Lady Gaga, released in 2021, selling 41,000 physical and digital copies upon its debut.

Tony Bennett has recorded two albums with Lady Gaga.

His contributions to music have received much respect from artists of many generations and love from a large number of fans.

Tony Bennett captivated audiences with his gentle, elegant manner and rare, gifted voice. He often called himself "a tenor who sings like a baritone."

“I like to entertain the audience, make them forget about the problems they are facing. I think people will be touched if they hear something sincere, honest, and maybe a little bit humorous. I just want to make people feel comfortable when I perform,” the veteran singer once confided.

In addition to singing, Bennett pursued his passion for painting, especially sketching. His paintings, including portraits of many of his colleagues, signed Benedetto, are displayed in the public and private collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (Washington).

In his personal life, Bennett had two previous wives but divorced them and is now married to his third wife, Susan Crow, whom he married in 2007. He has a total of 4 children and 9 grandchildren.