Tony Bennett

Available for 25 days

Singer Tony Bennett is castaway by Michael Parkinson. The son of Italian immigrants, Antony Benedetto started singing competitively with his brother and earned a living as a singing waiter in restaurants in New York while at art school. After singing in American military bands during the Second World War, he returned to New York, where he had his first hit with Because of You in 1951. Since then, he established himself as one of the most popular jazz singers of his generation and worked with Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Woody Herman among others. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his life and work, and chooses the eight discs he would take to the mythical island. DISC ONE: Duke Ellington and His Orchestra - Take The A Train DISC TWO: Ella Fitzgerald - These Foolish Things DISC THREE: Art Tatum - Don't Blame Me DISC FOUR: The Julliard Quartet - Maurice Ravel's String Quartet in F Major DISC FIVE: Judy Garland - Last Night When We Were Young DISC SIX: Bill Evans - Waltz For Debby DISC SEVEN: Frank Sinatra - Deep In A Dream DISC EIGHT: London Symphony Orchestra - Igor Stravinsky's The Rite Of Spring CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Art Tatum - Don't Blame Me BOOK CHOICE: Fyodor Dostoyevsky - Crime & Punishment LUXURY CHOICE: Suit Producer: Derek Drescher First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1987.