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| Tony Bennett and musical director Lee Musiker |
To celebrate her 50 years as Queen of England, the 76 year old Elizabeth II held the Golden Jubilee at Buckingham Palace in London, in June. The Golden Jubilee was an opportunity for the Queen to express her thanks for the support and loyalty she has enjoyed during her reign.
Amid four days of fireworks and tea parties, musical concerts chimed into the night. Ozzy Osborne, Ricky Martin, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, Phil Collins, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, and Tony Bennett rocked the U.K. Bennett performed with his usual class and style for the Queen, accompanied by a Yamaha S6 grand piano.
“When we were approached to do the Queen’s Jubilee Party at the Palace, Julian Lavender, the concert production manager, wanted Lee Musiker to use a digital piano due to limited stage space,” explains Tom Young, sound engineer for Tony Bennett. “However, an acoustic piano is the most integral part of Tony’s reference to the musical melody and pitch of his performance. He positions himself in the curve of the piano and it becomes ‘his office.’ Fortunately, Yamaha Corporation of America was able to assist in providing an S6, which accommodated both the Palace and Mr. Bennett’s requirements. Tony references himself to the natural acoustic sound coming off the piano soundboard, so there is never a need for the piano sound to be put electro-acoustically into his monitors.”
Approximately 12,000 guests attended the Prom at the Palace in the first public concert ever staged on the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
