Benedetto/Blessed: Celebrating The Life & Music of Tony Bennett at

The best is yet to come as singer and recording artist Russ Lorenson honors an American music icon, the man whom Frank Sinatra called "the best singer in the business."

He’s that regular guy from Astoria, Queens, who left his heart in San Francisco. He's the civil rights pioneer whose groundbreaking friendship with an African-American Army buddy during World War II caused his superiors to punish him by making him dig graves. He’s the postwar heartthrob who inspired hundreds of young girls to wear black outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral on his wedding day. His first music video - at age 67 - made him the darling of the MTV generation. He’s the consummate artist known worldwide for his paintings. He's the recording artist who's sold over 50 million records, won 15 Grammy Awards, and released the best selling album of his career - at age 80! The world knows him as Tony Bennett, but his birth name - Benedetto - means "blessed", an accurate adjective to describe both the man and his fans....

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The best is yet to come as singer and recording artist Russ Lorenson honors an American music icon, the man whom Frank Sinatra called "the best singer in the business."

He’s that regular guy from Astoria, Queens, who left his heart in San Francisco. He's the civil rights pioneer whose groundbreaking friendship with an African-American Army buddy during World War II caused his superiors to punish him by making him dig graves. He’s the postwar heartthrob who inspired hundreds of young girls to wear black outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral on his wedding day. His first music video - at age 67 - made him the darling of the MTV generation. He’s the consummate artist known worldwide for his paintings. He's the recording artist who's sold over 50 million records, won 15 Grammy Awards, and released the best selling album of his career - at age 80! The world knows him as Tony Bennett, but his birth name - Benedetto - means "blessed", an accurate adjective to describe both the man and his fans.

In honor - not impersonation - Russ will perform an array of the crooner's hits in the warm and husky style of the star, including "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," "Fly Me To The Moon," "Because of You" and "The Shadow of Your Smile," and tell the story of this amazing artist's life.

"...Lorenson's tribute is solid gold."
~Napa Valley Register

"...with his quartet accompaniment, he revealed the artistry of a master crooner...Lorenson's own vocal technique is a masterpiece."
~San Francisco Examiner

"Lorenson handles the material skillfully, and uses his own remarkable voice and style to make the tunes his own..."
~San Jose Mercury News

"This tribute to Tony Bennett is also a tribute to Russ Lorenson...He embodies every nuance about Tony Bennett without trying to act like him. And that, my friends, is what great genius is all about."
~BeyondChron

"Bennett's credo: Perform only the best music. Lorenson takes this and one-ups it...Even if you're not a Bennett fan (do they exist?), you'll become one by evening's end."
~San Francisco Bay Times

"[The] audience thrilled to Lorenson. An elegant performer, he brought a supple voice and strong sense of characterization to all his songs. And he shined with an understated charm..."
~The Los Angeles Times

"…[his] relaxed, easy deliveries…seem natural and heartfelt..."
~San Diego Union-Tribune

"…irresistible..."
~The Coronado Journal

Concert tickets are $20; Concert with Pre-show Reception tickets are $42.50.
Tickets are available online at http://www.russlorenson.com/celebration

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