Who was Joe Bari?
And What is His Real Legacy?
“Blessed is the nightbird that sings for joy and not to be heard.” ~ Marty Rubin
On July 21, 2023 Joe Bari died. His real name? Anthony Dominick Benedetto. We remember him as Tony Bennett. He was 96. In seven decades he won 19 Grammy’s.
When you hear his name, what’s the first thing that you think of? Is it “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”?
Compassion and Kindness
Bennett may best be remembered for his voice 🎶. Yet those who knew him, said they remember Tony even more for his compassion and kindness.
Exploring the Arts
During his long career, Bennett founded Exploring the Arts, a non-profit that brought arts education to the New York City schools. People who worked there called him the ‘North Star’ for the positive influence he made on students, families and the community.
They said, “Tony envisioned a world where all young people could experience the transformative experience of the arts.”
Central Park
There’s a commemorative plaque on a bench in Central Park bearing Bennett’s name on his 95th birthday. Central Park carriage drivers mourned his passing by leaving notes that said, ‘One more time around the park’ on Bennett’s bench.
Michael’s Trattoria
Before a 2015 concert, Bennett dined at Michael’s Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Connecticut. Michael Tiscia, the owner remembers how kind and complimentary he was to the staff and how he offered to have his picture taken with the owner. “We were all nervous, wanting to make sure everything went out right,” Tiscia said. “But he wasn't that type of person. He was just a downright good person.”
World War II
Tony was a World War II Veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge and participated in the liberation of a concentration camp.
Bob Hope and Joe Bari
In 1949, Bennett was performing in Greenwich Village with Pearl Bailey when Bob Hope arrived to check out his act. Afterward, Hope went to Bennett’s dressing room and said “Come on kid. You’re going to come to the Paramount and sing with me.”
But first, Hope said that he didn’t care for his stage name…. Joe Bari. “What’s your real name?” Hope asked.
“Anthony Dominick Benedetto”.
“We’ll call you Tony Bennett,” said Hope. And that was the beginning of history.
Humanitarian
Throughout his career, Tony has been heralded as a humanitarian.
He raised millions of dollars for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
His original paintings are featured on the American Cancer Society’s annual holiday greeting cards…with all proceeds going to cancer research.
He was given the ‘Salute to Greatness’ award by the Martin Luther King Center in Atlanta for his efforts in fighting racial discrimination. He had marched side by side with Martin Luther King in Selma.
His love for his country earned him the distinction as ‘national treasure’.
The United Nations named him ‘Citizen of the World’ as one of their foremost ambassadors.
Remembered by Others
Katie Couric remembers Bennett for his ‘warmth, kindness, and compassion’.
On Bennett’s 85th birthday, former President Clinton said, “Now in his seventh decade of singing, Tony Bennett has somehow kept his unique voice, with its beauty and range, its strength and style, and still in perfect pitch. But as talented as he is, Tony's most impressive quality is his giving spirit!”
Alzheimer’s
Tony Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016. The Alzheimer’s Foundation remembers him for using his voice to raise awareness of the disease. Even with Alzheimer’s disease, Bennett still performed with Lady Gaga at Radio City Music Hall, helping support their album, ‘Love for Sale’.
Legacy
Since Tony Bennett’s death, the airways have been full of ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco’.
Although the last line of the song refers to San Francisco, ‘Your golden sun will shine for me’, I like to think that Tony’s golden light of kindness and compassion will continue to shine for all of us.
Most of us will never sing like Tony Bennett….win 19 Grammy’s….or even live to 96. But each of us can leave a legacy that shines like Tony’s. That’s an award that I would be proud to win.
May your week be filled with kindness. 💚
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For more information visit the Tony Bennett official site.
To learn more about Bennett’s involvement in the Selma-Montgomery march click here.
Wow, Heather! I learned so much here. I had no knowledge of Bennet's active role in the civil rights movement, or about the school programs he founded. An amazing man. I played the video and actually shed tears. Thank you, as always for excellence.