Latest news with #TonyBennett
CBS News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Commack High School's legendary band teacher retiring after 40 years
Commack High School has many standout features, including its teachers! Over 30, including the principal, are Commack High graduates. As teachers, they're now making an impact on the students' lives, especially Dr. Frank Hanson, the legendary band teacher. Commack's legendary band leader retiring Like many at Commack High, Dr. Hanson made his mark on his students. The ease with which he teaches music and his experience are legendary. "It's special because we have this teacher here, Dr. Hanson, who, he's played with Barbara Streisand, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra. He does Broadway shows in the pit, and he still does it with teaching. He's phenomenal," senior Forrest Meyer, said. "I think the kids really just want to know that you care about them. They really don't care about what you've done or what you do," Hanson said. "Every once in a while, I might say something because something that we do here might remind me of a professional situation that's gone on, and I might tell a story like that, but it's never to brag ... I was on the road with Tony Bennett, then 'who's Tony Bennett,' you know?" Hanson is hanging it up after 40 years, including 28 years at Commack High, where he helped orchestrate the musical paths of countless students. "You learn that a lot of times they just want to be seen. They want to be listened to, they don't want to be talked down to you, which Hanson never did. So it's a healthy balance between, hey, you've got to do this, but also, I get that you're still getting comfortable with this instrument," Meyer said. "Forrest is a great musician," Hanson said. "He's in our Jazz Messengers, and the Jazz Messengers is a very small jazz group, about five, six, seven, eight musicians that I handpick. So in order to be in that ensemble, you have to be of the very best in our department. So he's one of our best." Hanson is also one of the best. At the spring concert, his final as the conductor, over 60 former students returned to say thank you and job well done. "I have nothing but gratitude. I'm really, it's just an honor to get to be here every single day with these kids," he said.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MPT's Chesapeake Collectibles returns for 12th season in June
Popular weekly series set to deliver a season of surprises from collectors across the Chesapeake region Tony Bennett Lord of the Rings Owings Mills, MD, United States, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Maryland Public Television's popular original series Chesapeake Collectibles returns for its 12th season with a treasure trove of captivating finds beginning on Monday, June 2. A preview of the new season is available at Collectibles' 13 weekly episodes will be broadcast on MPT-HD and available on the MPT livestream on Mondays at 7:30 p.m., immediately preceding the acclaimed PBS series Antiques Roadshow. Viewers can also find full episodes of the series anytime on MPT's online video player and the free PBS broadcasts of episodes air on Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. on MPT2 and the MPT2 live of MPT's most successful flagship series, Chesapeake Collectibles showcases items from around the world brought to the show by individuals from across the Chesapeake region. During each episode, passionate collectors have their unique, antique, and collectible possessions evaluated by expert appraisers, who reveal fascinating facts about each item's history, provenance, and the new season's highlights are a rare first-edition set of The Lord of the Rings, a hand-annotated Lawrence of Arabia movie script, a sketch of the Baltimore skyline by legendary singer Tony Bennett, and a pair of exquisitely crafted silver seahorses by renowned Baltimore jeweler Carl Schon. Additional highlights include a letter from Fort McHenry's commander requesting the very flag that would inspire The Star-Spangled Banner, a bronze statue with a risqué surprise, and a pair of bloomers worn and signed by Baltimore icon Divine. A longer sneak peek of the new season is available for viewing at Nearly 1,000 guests attended the Chesapeake Collectibles season 12 taping event, which took place in October 2024 at The Irene and Edward H. Kaplan Production Studio on MPT's Owings Mills campus. The series' expert appraisers evaluated thousands of items, selecting the most fascinating for inclusion in the upcoming COLLECTIBLES - JUNE EPISODE SUMMARIESEpisode 1 (June 2): A guest shares mementos and memories from an unforgettable dinner with John Lennon. A sketch of Baltimore's Inner Harbor reveals another side of legendary crooner Tony Bennett. An eclectic 'crazy quilt' captures the eye of several appraisers. Hollywood history is found under a stack of books in a home in Baltimore. And, nostalgia for TV westerns fuels a collector's quest to hunt down childhood 2 (June 9): A rare promotional print for Gone with the Wind sheds light on a shameful chapter of Hollywood history. A two-faced ceramic jug reveals the two sides of a politician's personality. An appraiser solves a question that has puzzled the owner of an intricately designed table. A macabre memento proves that love transcends death. And, a ceremonial machete uncovers a remarkable story of service during World War 3 (June 16): A hand-annotated copy of a speech by President John F. Kennedy is the star of a collection of JFK memorabilia. An unusual collection of political artifacts reveals a love for the democratic process. A pair of jeweled seahorses pays tribute to the shimmering treasures of the Chesapeake. A work of art made as compensation for a leaky pipe reveals fascinating techniques. And, an antique blasting machine ends the episode with a 4 (June 23): An elegant bronze statue reveals a risqué surprise. A pair of religious reliefs once owned by America's first Black millionaire opens a window into a remarkable legacy. A set of 18th-century medical texts sparks fresh appreciation for modern medicine. An awe-inspiring collection of World War II artifacts from the Pacific Theater tells a story of service and survival. And one appraiser quite literally steps into his role, donning traditional garb to examine textiles from the 5 (June 30): A veteran reveals the purchase made with his enlistment bonus: a first edition set of The Lord of the Rings. A young collector shares the pieces that launched his journey as a treasure hunter. A stunning trove of elegantly illustrated vintage songbooks is saved from the dumpster. A fashionable find from the Baltimore Orioles' clothing line turns heads. And, a majestic monstrance, rescued from a deconsecrated church, shines for the more information about the series, including how to register for the show's Season 13 taping weekend on October 4-5, visit The website also features the series' Talkin' Collectibles blog, found at funding for season 12 of Chesapeake Collectibles is provided by Alex Cooper Auctioneers and Second Story Books. About Maryland Public TelevisionMaryland Public Television (MPT) is a statewide, public-supported TV network and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) member offering entertaining and educational content delivered by traditional broadcasting and streaming on TVs, computers, and mobile devices via its online video player and the free PBS app. A state agency operating under the auspices of the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission, MPT also produces local, regional, and national programming and frequently earns regional Emmy® awards for its work. MPT's commitment to educators, parents, caregivers, and learners of all ages is delivered through its Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education and MPT's year-round community engagement activities connect viewers with resources covering a wide range of topics. More information is available at Attachments Tony Bennett Lord of the Rings CONTACT: Tom Williams Maryland Public Television 4105814031 tomwilliams@
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Tony Bennett's daughters lay bare family turmoil as they speak out on being unable to see their dying father amid bitter legal battle
Tony Bennett 's heartbroken daughters have suggested they were prevented from seeing their ailing father in the days before his death as they questioned the level of care he received in an explosive new interview. The legendary singer died in his hometown of New York, aged 96, on July 21, 2023, seven years after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Speaking exclusively to his daughters Johanna, 53, and Antonia Bennett, 51, shed light on his final weeks and their agonizing ongoing legal war with their 'complicated' step-family. 'In the end, we were unable to see him very much,' Johanna revealed. 'I would have these times where I would go and sit with him. He was kind of like in a dream state all the time. He was falling asleep all the time. He always recognized me and [Antonia] as well. 'He could maybe not find the word "Johanna" or something, but when he would find it, he'd be really excited about it, and he'd be like, "Johanna!"' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The legendary singer died in New York, aged 96, on July 21, 2023, seven years after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (pictured with his daughters in 2016) The indie film producer explained how as 'part of his therapy,' the legendary crooner would perform daily the 'entire 90-minute show' he put on in 2021 with Lady Gaga at Radio City Hall – but 'towards the end, [it was] more like three days a week.' But when it came to his care, they claim they were not fully made aware of the plans. 'We're not 100 percent about his level of care,' Johanna said. 'It's a complicated family dynamic in our family.' Antonia, who last saw her father 'three or four weeks' before he died, explained about his health: 'We all knew that something was wrong. It was difficult to watch him slowly fade away. The main thing was understanding that there's was a diagnosis and that's what it is. 'There were times where I thought 'oh maybe he's mad' or 'why is he reacting like that?' When you finally understand what's happening, you're able to release some of that, and just be more in the moment and present with the person.' The sisters have been dealing with their grief alongside a year-long legal war with their stepbrothers, Daegal 'Dae' Bennett and D'Andrea 'Danny' Bennett, who was Tony's manager, as well as their stepmom, Susan Crow, who married Tony in 2007. Tony had Danny, 71, and Dae, 68, with his first wife Patricia Beech. They divorced in 1971, the same year he married Antonia and Johanna's mother Sandra Grant, 84. They divorced in 1983. The music icon then married Susan, 58, in 2007. They were together up until his death. In a lawsuit filed in June 2024, Johanna and Antonia accused Danny of mishandling their father's assets which they claim were 'dramatically diminished' by the time he died. His lawyers responded in February with a motion to transfer to Surrogate Court, or, alternatively, dismiss the petition. As of April 29, a judge has agreed to transfer, court records show. A second suit, filed in March 2025, has them seeking a removal of Danny as head of the family trust for allegedly breaching his fiduciary duty. In the latter filing, Johanna and Antonia argue there are 'multiple instances' of Danny making 'gifts to himself from the Family Trust, including during Tony's incapacity.' 'Danny made multiple withdrawals (in the forms of loans, 'gifts,' and commissions) to himself or to or for the benefit of his children in his capacity as trustee,' it read. 'And he even borrowed $750,000 from the Family Trust to purchase a personal residence for himself and his family and executed a mortgage in favor of the Family Trust to secure that private loan.' He also allegedly took out a '$450,000 loan' from the Family Trust in 2020, and had not paid it back, per the complaint. The filing also claims, 'Tony's earnings from live performances alone during the final 15 years of his active career exceeded $100 million' and that 'Tony and the Family Trust owned property valued in excess of $12,000,000.' However: 'Tony's net worth at the time of his death, including assets in the Family Trust, was dramatically diminished as a result of Danny's self-dealing, conflicted transactions, and other personal benefits that he obtained through the abuse of his fiduciary roles,' according to the court filing. The defendants have yet to respond to the second lawsuit, but court records show that Danny, Dae and Susan have all been served. As they approach the two-year anniversary of their father's death, Johanna and Antonia, who miss dining with their father at his favorite NYC restaurants and browsing museums together, said it is still 'very, very hard to find your footing.' 'He was this larger-than-life being gone, is really an adjustment,' Johanna said. Meanwhile, Antonia added, 'One day you think you're doing alright then you're not. And to be honest it's still happening… I still have days where it's really hard to imagine he's not here.' But Antonia has found some solace in her father's piano, which she inherited per his will, but court docs claim she was 'prohibited' from getting the piano for 'months.' The will was executed in October 2016 and stated Johanna, Antonia and Danny would each receive $900,000. 'I have his piano. He left that to me and I have it in my house and it was the piano that was in our house when I was growing up, and it was picked out by Bill Evans, who's a very well-known jazz pianist,' the singer told Her daughter, Maya, nine, is learning to play, while Antonia uses it to record her upcoming album Expressions- adding it makes her feel like 'he's there with me.' New music from their late father could be released posthumously, with Antonia claiming he has 'over 200 records that are just sitting there unreleased.' 'In his later years, what he would do is just go in [the studio] and record and record,' she said. 'So there's a lot of stuff. I don't know if it will get released or what they're planning on doing with it, but there is a lot of material there that hasn't been released.' Danny's company, RPM Music Productions, Inc. sold rights to Tony's music but it remains 'unclear' per court docs 'what music assets (and other property) were or were not sold as part of the deal,' because Tony's daughters have not been provided with various details of the transaction. Addressing Johanna and Antonia's latest comments, the Defendants' attorney Eve Rachel Markewich, told 'These comments are unequivocally false and disappointingly self-serving. It is a universally well know fact that Susan Benedetto and Danny's devotion to Tony was beyond reproach. Danny and Tony Bennett have worked together for over 40 years, and that the record of their successful partnership speaks for itself. 'Tony thoughtfully planned his estate many decades ago to reflect his wishes and generously provided for his loved ones. Danny has always acted in Tony's best interest and has worked diligently to ensure his father's plans were honored and carried out. It is unfortunate and sad that some are choosing to refute his decisions rather than honoring their father's legacy.'
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lady Gaga wins Sports Emmy, placing her just a Tony Award short of EGOT
At Tuesday night's 2025 Sports Emmy Awards, Lady Gaga took home her first Emmy. She won for Best Music Direction of "Hold My Hand" for the Super Bowl LIX pregame show. With previous victories at the Oscars and Grammys, that places her just a Tony Award short of EGOT. This marked her fifth try at winning an Emmy following nominations for her variety specials Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga: Cheek to Cheek Live!, and One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, plus the special class program Super Bowl LI Halftime Show Starring Lady Gaga. More from GoldDerby 'Sentimental Value' hailed as a 'masterpiece,' the 'best movie' at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival 'The Daily Show' editor Cathy Trasborg on letting Trump supporters 'reveal themselves' in the edit: 'We just let them play out' 'Beast Games' editor Mack Hopkins on the scene that was inspired by 'Dunkirk' Lady Gaga won her Academy Award for the song "Shallow" from the 2018 film A Star Is Born. She is a 14-time Grammy Award winner, with the first for The Fame and "Poker Face" in 2010 and the most recent earlier this year for "Die With a Smile" recorded with Bruno Mars. SEEWho Needs a Tony to Reach EGOT? Thirty-three people who have won the combination of Emmy, Oscar and Grammy without a Tony Award. The 26 living people are composer-singer Adele, composer Kristen Anderson-Lopez, actress Julie Andrews, composer Alan Bergman, actress-singer Cher, composer and producer Common, composer-rapper Eminem, composer Michael Giacchino, director-producer Alex Gibney, sound editor Alex Gibson, composer Ludwig Goransson, producer Brian Grazer, composer Hildur Guðnadóttir, composer and singer H.E.R., producer-director Ron Howard, composer-singer Lady Gaga, composer-singer Paul McCartney, director James Moll, director-producer Morgan Neville, composer Randy Newman, composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, director-producer Martin Scorsese, composer-singer Ringo Starr, actress-singer Barbra Streisand, composer John Williams, and actress Kate Winslet. For those keeping score at home, Streisand received an honorary Tony but has never won in competition, a requirement to be considered an EGOT champion. The seven deceased artists who won the three awards are composer John Addison, composer Burt Bacharach, composer Marilyn Bergman, actor George Burns, composer Sid Ramin, actor Peter Ustinov, and actor Robin Williams. SEEWhich 21 people have the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony)? Only 21 people have won the awards grand slam known as the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). They are (in chronological order of achievement) composer Richard Rodgers, actress Helen Hayes, actress Rita Moreno, actor John Gielgud, actress Audrey Hepburn, composer Marvin Hamlisch, orchestrator Jonathan Tunick, writer-director-composer Mel Brooks, director Mike Nichols, actress Whoopi Goldberg, producer Scott Rudin, composer Robert Lopez, singer-actor John Legend, composer Tim Rice, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, composer Alan Menken, actress-producer-singer Jennifer Hudson, actress Viola Davis, composer-singer Elton John, and composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The Sports Emmys were presented by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). SIGN UP for Gold Derby's free newsletter with latest predictions Best of GoldDerby 'Étoile' editor Tim Streeto on reuniting with the Palladinos for the Prime Video ballet series 'The Daily Show' editor Cathy Trasborg on letting Trump supporters 'reveal themselves' in the edit: 'We just let them play out' 'Beast Games' editor Mack Hopkins on the scene that was inspired by 'Dunkirk' Click here to read the full article.
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Lady Gaga Is One Step Away From Her EGOT
Lady Gaga wins her first Emmy Award at the 2025 Sports Emmys for music direction during her Super ... More Bowl performance of "Hold My Hand." HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 02: Lady Gaga speaks onstage at the Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl LI Halftime Show Press Conference on February 2, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) Lady Gaga has been collecting major entertainment awards for more than a decade, and now she's one step closer to securing EGOT status, which is often considered the most coveted accomplishments in showbiz. The singer and actress has earned her first Emmy Award, her third of the four major trophies handed out in the entertainment industry. Gaga is among the winners at the 2025 Sports Emmy Awards, which celebrate excellence in television production focused on sports. The pop icon came out on top in the Outstanding Music Direction category. She shares the win with a team of producers and a music editor for her performance of her Oscar-nominated track "Hold My Hand" during the Super Bowl. Gaga is now officially an Emmy winner, though she's been nominated multiple times before at the Primetime Emmy Awards, which are generally considered the main Emmys. She received her first nomination in 2011 for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special for Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden. She returned to that arena more than once alongside Tony Bennett for their televised specials. Gaga was also nominated for her headline performance during the Super Bowl halftime show but did not win that year. With this latest win, Gaga has now collected the E, G, and O in her future EGOT. She's a 14-time Grammy winner with a total of 38 nominations. That number that grew at the 2025 ceremony when "Die With a Smile," her collaboration with Bruno Mars, won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. She's also already an Oscar winner, having claimed Best Original Song in 2019 with "Shallow" from A Star Is Born. That same year, she was also up for Best Actress for the same film. Impressively, Gaga has earned a trio of Best Original Song nominations in less than a decade. She was first up for the honor in 2016 with "Til It Happens to You," and she returned in 2023 with "Hold My Hand" from Top Gun: Maverick. Now, Gaga only needs to score a Tony Award — the prize that honors the best in Broadway — to complete her EGOT. She could go about it through various routes, but for now, she hasn't announced any plans to head to the Great White Way.
