IU Auditorium announced Tony Bennett will perform as the official start to its 75th anniversary season.
Bennett will appear Sept. 20 at IU Auditorium.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Bennett back to the Auditorium stage,” managing director of IU Auditorium Maria Talbert said in an email. “We are presenting Tony Bennett not only because he is a living legend, but also because he is as shining example of the qualities we hold dear as an organization: excellence, longevity and relevance to audiences of all ages and backgrounds — something that is of particular poignancy in this, our 75th anniversary year.”
“This performance is a rare opportunity for our audiences to witness this musical legend live on stage,” IU Auditorium Director Doug Booher said in a press release.
Talbert said Bennett’s last performance at IU Auditorium was in 1993.
Bennett’s musical career has progressed during the past six decades, as he’s collaborated with famed artists such as Michael Bublé, John Mayer and Lady Gaga.
He has sold more than 10 million records within the last 10 years, according to the release, and he has received a total of 17 Grammy Awards throughout his career.
“Mr. Bennett is a one-of-a-kind performer, and is the last great song-stylist from the golden era of jazz-inspired crooners that defined the genre,” Talbert said in an email. “Not only is he an original in the company of the other performances on our schedule this season, he is unique amongst all artists everywhere. Mr. Bennett may have inspired many new generations of great singers, but there’s nothing like seeing the man that started it all!”
Bennett will perform a blend of new pieces and classic jazz standards with a group of specially chosen musicians for his show at IU Auditorium, according to the release.
Tickets are currently on sale online or at the IU Auditorium Box Office. For students, tickets start at $30 with a valid student ID. Tickets start at $58 for the general public.
Bridget Murray
