Although he is now recognized as one of the best jazz vocalists of all time, Tony Bennett (born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in Astoria, Queens, New York City, on August 3, 1926), was just a young and barely known singer when his first album, Cloud 7, was made in 1955. However, two years later, when Tony, his second LP appeared, he had already become a star. In fact, even though his early recordings advertised him as another romantic crooner, and admitting that through his whole career he never stopped making 'commercial' albums in the usual string or big band settings, Bennett always had a special touch, and his artistic ambition led him to assume different challenges. His later duet recordings with pianist Bill Evans represent another example of Bennett s creativity and sensitivity. His defined jazz orientation earned him the distinction of becoming the vocalist in the Count Basie orchestra in the late fifties, and he has since recorded with most of the finest jazz instrumentalists.