A quote from Tony Bennett, a performer I adore:
Some people think that anyone could sing jazz, but they can’t. It’s a gift of learning how to syncopate but it’s also a spirit that you’re either born with or you’re not. And Amy was born with that spirit.
The Amy he spoke of was Amy Winehouse.
On March 23rd 2011, Tony and Dae Bennett met with Amy Winehouse at Abbey Road Studio 3 for what was to be the British singer’s last recording session, exactly four months before her death on July 23rd.
This is a video of that session.
I am gobsmacked with her choice of singing under Tony with her contra-alto on the second verse that just fucking slays me.
I did not know she started by accompanying herself by playing guitar.
At 21, she laid down jazz riffs and expounded on the virtues of a Stratocaster.
I mourn our loss.
