Julien’s Auctions to Honor Tony Bennett

By DownBeat I Apr. 2, 2024

Exhibitions showcasing Bennett’s historic collection will be mounted at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco April 8–10 and the Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame in New York April 10–16, leading up to the April 18–19 gala and auction.
(Photo: Herman Leonard Photography LLC)

The music memorabilia auction house Julien’s Auctions has announced “Tony Bennett: A Life Well Lived,” an exclusive two-day auction event celebrating the life and career of the iconic pop jazz vocalist, to be held April 18–19 in the Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame in Jazz at Lincoln Center following a star-studded gala honoring Bennett. The auction will take place live and online at Julien’s Auctions.

Exclusive exhibitions showcasing highlights of Bennett’s historic collection will be mounted leading up to the gala and auction at two venues associated with Bennett’s illustrious career, beginning at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco April 8–10 and the Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame in New York April 10–16.

Danny Bennett, Tony’s son and long-time manager, said, “It is astonishing to have the opportunity to view all these items in a collection such as this, which represent Tony’s remarkable life, but also embody a part of our shared American history. Beyond his musical legacy, which is unparalleled and will continue to remain relevant, his lifetime of positive engagement impacted so many people and events. He did everything with such artistry, compassion and integrity, which is a testament to the extraordinary person he was each and every day.”

“Tony Bennett’s life mirrored America’s cultural, social and political history. This is reflected in these unique and priceless items that act as markers of his life and more,” said Olivier Chastan, founder and CEO of Iconoclast, the artist and brand development company that acquired and manages Bennett’s legacy. “This incredible collection speaks to Tony’s creative genius and his positive impact on others and the world.”

“The world was blessed beyond words to have had the incomparable Tony Bennett in it. He changed the world with his artistry, humanitarianism and one-of-a-kind voice that transcended generations,” said David Goodman, CEO of Julien’s Auctions. “Julien’s is honored to represent his estate and celebrate Mr. Bennett’s extraordinary legacy at this once-in-a-lifetime auction event at Jazz at Lincoln Center with exhibitions at two cities that were most dear to his heart, New York and San Francisco.”

An accomplished painter and sketch artist, Bennett was just as famous for his visual art as he was for his music. Some of his works of landscapes, wildlife and foliage scenes and portraits of his friends will be feted in this event. Equipment used by Bennett on stage and in the studio as well as personalized sheet music will be put up for auction, including one of Bennett’s primary performance microphones, a Neumann KK 105s supercardioid.

In a career spanning eight decades, Bennett was musical splendor. His masterful recordings and performances of the most popular classics from the Great American Songbook — from his signature 1962 hit “I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” “Because Of You,” “Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)” and “Rags To Riches” to numerous other standards and duets with top music artists like Frank Sinatra — became instant classics and cultural touchstones.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Bennett’s career soared and his fan base flourished under the management of his son, with his appearances on The David Letterman Show, MTV Video Music Awards and recordings of his Platinum-selling albums MTV Unplugged: Tony Bennett (and accompanying MTV special) and Duets: An American Classic, as well as the chart-topping albums Perfectly Frank, Steppin’ Out and The Art Of Excellence. In the new millennium, Bennett reached even greater artistic peaks with a streak of performances and albums featuring collaborations with high-profile pop music legends including Lady Gaga, with whom he recorded the Grammy-winning albums Cheek To Cheek and Love For Sale, his final release.

Bennett recorded more than 70 albums, selling 50 million records. His honors and record-breaking achievements include 20 Grammys with 41 nominations, including a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001, two Emmy Awards, a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2005, a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master in 2006, a Library of Congress Gershwin Prize in 2017 and a MusiCares Person of the Year in 1995. In 2007, Bennett was inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame for his lifelong activism and work in social justice. DB