Tag Archives: Tony Bennett

Tony & Me

The unlikely and continuing musical journey of a lifetime … so far

Guest Column by Gregg Field, 2018 Emmy Winner: Outstanding Music Direction, “Tony Bennett: The Library of Congress – Gershwin Prize for Popular Song”

Gregg Field holds his Emmy for his musical direction on “Tony Bennett: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Poplar Song.” A multiple Grammy winner, this marks Field’s first Emmy win. [Courtesy Gregg Field]

I had no idea how or why as a teenager I fell in love with Tony Bennett’s music. It happened sometime in the early seventies. I was a young kid playing drums in my high school jazz band in the San Francisco east bay area with all the dreams of making it as a pro someday.

Tony Bennett would regularly appear two or three times a year at the Fairmont hotel Venetian Room in San Francisco. Whenever he was in town, I would drag my girlfriend, who would have much preferred to be at the Fillmore to Tony’s buttoned down, coat and tie concert. Continue reading