Michael Bublé
Perhaps the most direct heir to the classic crooner throne, Michael Bublé has built a global career on the foundation Bennett helped lay. From his earliest days, Bublé modeled his approach on the masters, blending reverence for the Great American Songbook
with his own charismatic stage presence. Like Bennett, he possesses an uncanny ability to make a 70-year-old standard feel fresh and vital, connecting with audiences of all ages. He isn’t just covering songs; he’s inhabiting them, delivering lyrics with a sincerity and joy that makes the old feel new again. It was a craft he learned, in part, from the master himself, with whom he collaborated.
Harry Connick Jr.
A true multi-hyphenate, Harry Connick Jr. embodies the deep musicality that defined Tony Bennett’s career. As a pianist, singer, and arranger, Connick approaches the Songbook not as a museum piece, but as a living document. His deep roots in the jazz traditions of his native New Orleans give his performances an authentic, swinging feel that Bennett always championed. Whether he's leading a big band with explosive energy or delivering a tender ballad at the piano, Connick’s work is a testament to the enduring power of sophisticated arrangements and masterful interpretation—a core tenet of the Bennett school of thought.
Gregory Porter
Gregory Porter proves that the spirit of Tony Bennett isn't just about interpreting the past, but also about creating a timeless future. While he is a masterful jazz singer, Porter is also a gifted songwriter, penning original tunes that feel like they could have been written in 1950 or 2050. His warm, soulful baritone carries an emotional weight and empathy that draws immediate comparisons to the sincerity in Bennett's delivery. Influenced by Nat King Cole and gospel traditions, Porter’s music is imbued with a sense of healing and uplift, carrying forward Bennett's belief that music is a gift meant to be shared.
Diana Krall
One of the preeminent jazz pianists and vocalists of her generation, Diana Krall has dedicated her career to the elegant, nuanced interpretation of the Great American Songbook. Her cool, smoky vocals and sophisticated piano playing create an intimate atmosphere, inviting listeners to lean into the stories within the songs. She collaborated with Bennett on the 2018 album "Love Is Here to Stay," a project that showcased their shared reverence for the Gershwin songbook. Krall’s artistry lies in her subtlety and her deep respect for the material, proving that you don’t need vocal pyrotechnics to convey profound emotion—a lesson Bennett taught throughout his career.
Laufey
A breakout star for Gen Z, Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey is perhaps the most surprising and hopeful sign of Bennett's enduring influence. She blends jazz, classical, and pop to make the sounds of the Great American Songbook feel fresh and relevant to a new generation. Citing inspirations from Ella Fitzgerald to Taylor Swift, she uses platforms like TikTok to introduce millions of young fans to jazz standards and big band sounds. Her success demonstrates that the desire for beautiful melodies, clever lyrics, and heartfelt vocal delivery is truly timeless, proving Bennett’s mantra that if you stick to quality, the audience will eventually find you.
Cécile McLorin Salvant
Cécile McLorin Salvant is more than a singer; she's a musical scholar and a theatrical storyteller. Like Bennett, who delighted in unearthing and championing lesser-known gems, Salvant has a gift for finding forgotten songs and infusing them with new life and meaning. Her technically brilliant and deeply expressive vocal performances are often described as transformative, as she deconstructs and rebuilds songs to reveal hidden layers of humor, sorrow, and wit. Her inventive approach ensures that the tradition of jazz singing doesn't just survive but continues to evolve, pushing boundaries while honoring the past.
Seth MacFarlane
While best known as the creator of animated comedies, Seth MacFarlane is also a deeply serious and accomplished vocalist with a fervent passion for the big band era. He has released multiple Grammy-nominated albums of standards, arranged with meticulous care and backed by lush orchestras. MacFarlane even purchased the original chart library of Frank Sinatra to study the craft of the masters. His rich baritone is perfectly suited to the material, and his dedication to preserving the authentic sound of the 1940s and '50s is a testament to the enduring appeal of this music. It’s a surprising but fitting extension of Bennett’s legacy: a true believer using his platform to celebrate the Great American Songbook.
