NJ music community pays tribute to Tony Bennett

Legendary crooner Tony Bennett was beloved worldwide, but a unique portion of the memories and condolences that came pouring in as news spread Friday of his death showed the special connections he shared with New Jersey and its artists.

Representatives for Bennett, who was 96, tweeted on Friday morning: "Tony left us today but he was still singing the other day at his piano and his last song was, “Because of You,” his first #1 hit. Tony, because of you we have your songs in our heart forever."

In 2021, it was announced that Bennett had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016, although he was able to continue performing up to that point.

Bennett had a special fondness for the Count Basie Center for the Arts, of which he once said "This is my favorite place."

He made frequent visits to the Red Bank theater, along with a long collaboration with its namesake and band, including 1959's "Count Basie Swings/Tony Bennett Sings."

The feeling was mutual.

As news of Bennett's death broke early Friday, the Basie swiftly changed its marquee to a photo of the singer, saying simply "Beloved icon and friend."

Bennett last performed in Red Bank on March 11, 2020, one of the final performances of his career. "We cherish that evening," the Basie tweeted.

The State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick was also quick to pay tribute to the icon.

"We were so fortunate to present the legendary Tony Bennett at the STNJ," the theater tweeted. "Not only were his performances spectacular, he was a spectacular human being as well. Greeted everyone with a smile and shook every hand, no one went unnoticed. He will be missed."

E Street Bank member Stevie Van Zandt paid tribute, tweeting "RIP Tony Bennett. The best of the best. The last of the legends. A man whose heart was as big as his voice. The world’s foremost practitioner of the "Art Of Excellence.""

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted Friday afternoon that "Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco, but he left his legacy in New Jersey. From his time in Englewood to becoming a member of the @NJHallofFame, Tony will forever be one of the greatest vocalists of all time."

He continued, "Take it from another Jersey great, Frank Sinatra, 'For my money, Tony Bennett is the best singer in the business...He's the singer who gets across what the composer has in mind, and probably a little more.'"

Stars react to Tony Bennett's death

Billy Joel called Bennett "one of the most important interpreters of American popular song during the mid to late 20th century" in a tribute on Twitter.

"He championed songwriters who might otherwise have remained unknown to many millions of music fans," Joel wrote. "His was a unique voice that made the transition from the era of Jazz into the age of Pop. I will always be grateful for his outstanding contribution to the art of contemporary music. He was a joy to work with. His energy and enthusiasm for the material he was performing was infectious. He was also one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever known."

The United States Army paid tribute to Bennett's history of service, as well as his musical contributions.

"Rest in peace, Soldier. You led, 'The Good Life." #TonyBennett, who died today at age 96, was a #USArmy veteran. We salute his service to the Nation and his iconic career as a singer," it tweeted.

Actor George Takei payed tribute to Bennett on Twitter, saying, "The great Tony Bennett has passed away at the age of 96. He was the last of his kind, a master of the American songbook. He may have left his Heart in San Francisco, but he won all of our hearts, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. Be at peace, and sing to us now from the stars, Tony."

Even "Sesame Street" got onto the memory train, sharing a clip of Bennett singing the parody "Slimy to the Moon" in 1998.

"Sesame Workshop mourns the passing of Tony Bennett, who brought joy and music to millions of people around the world. Mr. Bennett joined us on Sesame Street in 1998 to turn a classic of his into a new favorite of ours."

Broadway's Melissa Errico shared wisdom from Bennett on Twitter:

"At a @jazzdotorg tribute to Alan & Marilyn Bergman, #TonyBennett said “Keep singing the good songs, Melissa. You’ll never be sorry.” And “when you get to the word LOVE, always stop - in your mind, while you’re singing — and PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION.” I do. I will. RIP, to a master."

Bernice King thanked Bennett for his long history of activism and fights for fairness.

"Goodnight, #TonyBennett. Thank you for your commitment to love, civil rights, and a better world," she tweeted.

Actor Josh Gad said "This one shouldn’t sting so much because any of us would take 96 years, but man is it hard to imagine a world without the great Tony Bennett."

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Tony Bennett news: The Basie, Stevie Van Zandt, NJ artists honor icon