Fans of music legend Tony Bennett experienced a memorable event this weekend when Midland College hosted a concert in his honor.
According to a Facebook post by Midland College, "Michael Feinstein and the Carnegie Hall Big Band delivered an unforgettable tribute to Tony Bennett at the Chaps Center." The post further said, "From iconic songs to incredible energy, it was a night filled with music and memories. MC is proud to bring world-class performances like this to our community — completely free!"
According to a news release, the event featured the Carnegie Hall Big Band as part of the Phyllis and Bob Cowan Performing Arts Series. The performance was offered free of charge due to an endowment from the late Phyllis and Bob Cowan and underwriting by the Rea Charitable Trust.
"We are honored to bring an artist of Michael Feinstein’s caliber to Midland College as part of the Phyllis and Bob Cowan Performing Arts Series," said Adrian Vega, vice president of institutional advancement at Midland College. Vega added that they are committed to providing world-class cultural experiences to the community without cost. "We are grateful for the generosity of our donors who make this possible," he said.
The news release also mentioned that Feinstein was a close friend of Bennett. The performance explored the rich history of Carnegie Hall and its connections to the American big band tradition. Feinstein performed Bennett classics such as "Because of You," "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," and "New York State of Mind," among others.