Photo credit: Gregg Greenwood (PRNewsfoto/Verve Label Group)

Verve Records hosted a sparkling album launch event at the iconic Rainbow Room in New York City Wednesday night that was highlighted by a stellar performance from Tony Bennett and Diana Krall of songs from their new collaborative album, LOVE IS HERE TO STAY, which will be released today worldwide on Verve Records/Columbia Records. The album celebrates the music of the Gershwins and includes the jazz standard, “Fascinating Rhythm,” which Bennett and Krall perform as a duet. The inclusion of the song on the new album, was the impetus for a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for Tony Bennett, who in 1949, under his stage name of Joe Bari at the time, made his very first recording of the Gershwin standard. As a result, GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Adjudicator, Alex Angert, announced after last night’s performance, which closed with Bennett and Krall performing, “Fascinating Rhythm,” that Tony Bennett was verified as a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title holder for:

The longest time between the release of an original recording and a re-recording of the same single (“Fascinating Rhythm”) by the same artist is 68 years 342 days, achieved by Tony Bennett (USA) in New York, New York, USA, on 3 August 2018.

“These vocalists’ performances are a master class in the art of listening, reacting and then listening even more closely before responding.”  – DOWNBEAT

“Love Is Here to Stay,” a collection of George and Ira Gershwin gems, finds Ms. Krall and Mr. Bennett mining the playfulness and poignancy of the songs with a lovely, relaxed rapport that never takes each other’s artistry for granted.  – THE NEW YORK TIMES

“Like Gershwin, Krall and Bennett’s lovely music is here to stay – (four stars)” – THE TIMES OF LONDON

This marks Bennett’s third GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title as he currently holds the titles for the Oldest person to reach No.1 on the US album chart with a newly recorded album for Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga: Cheek to Cheek and Longest time between UK top 20 albums. 

Verve Label Group President and CEO, Danny Bennett remarked, “Tony And Diana performing the music of George and Ira Gershwin at the legendary Rainbow Room in New York City exemplifies the classic standing and timeless legacy of these two amazing artists. As Tony has always said, ‘Quality never goes out of style…and Tony and Diana are proof positive of that statement.'”

LINK TO TONY AND DIANA’S RAINBOW ROOM PERFORMANCE HERE

LOVE IS HERE TO STAY marks the first time that Diana Krall and Tony Bennett have recorded a full album together. The two multi-Grammy winning and platinum-selling artists are in New York City promoting the new album and will be appearing on NBC Nightly News, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Live with Kelly and Ryan among other media outlets.   LOVE IS HERE TO STAY was recorded with the Grammy award winning Bill Charlap Trio and the stunning result is a subtle, sophisticated and beautifully rendered love letter to The Gershwins’ music and their status as one of the premiere songwriters of the American popular standard. It is a masterclass in vocal delivery and phrasing and the command that Bennett and Krall display of the material in both their duets and solo tracks makes it appear effortless, belying the honed skill of the vocalists. The duet tracks include “Love Is Here to Stay”, “S’Wonderful,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me” and “Fascinating Rhythm,” among them.  Click here to order:  https://Verve.lnk.to/LoveIsHereToStay

LOVE IS HERE TO STAY was produced by Grammy Award winner Dae Bennett and Bill Charlap with Danny Bennett as Executive Producer. It will be released on CD, vinyl, digital and streaming platforms. The Bill Charlap Trio features Bill Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums.

ABOUT GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS:

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS (GWR) is the global authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the iconic annual Guinness World Records books have sold over 141 million copies in 22 languages and in more than 100 countries. Additionally, the Guinness World Records: Gamer’s Edition, first published in 2007, has sold more than 4 million copies to date.

Guinness World Records’ worldwide television programmes reach over 750 million viewers annually and more than 3.3 million people subscribe to the GWR YouTube channel, which enjoys more than 450 million views per year. The GWR website receives over 19.9 million visitors annually, and we have over 15 million fans on Facebook.

The Guinness World Records commercial sales division provides customized consultancy services for some of the world’s top brands and agencies to help place record breaking at the heart of their marketing campaigns, employee-engagement programmes, and live and experiential events.

ABOUT THE RAINBOW ROOM:

Quintessential New York glamour finds its home 65 stories above the landmark Rockefeller Center. Crowning the timeless Manhattan skyline, the iconic Rainbow Room offers a modern twist on classic old-world charm, tailoring special moments for private events. Since its debut in 1934, the Rainbow Room has drawn the world’s elite to its curated, elevated and glamorous luxury. First operating as a formal supper club, the venue quickly became a New York City entertainment focal point. The Rainbow Room name was inspired by the installation of a color organ that automatically converted music into changing colors in harmony with the moods expressed by the music. To mirror this effect, crystal curtains were added to the newly restored Rainbow Room to create a light shimmering veil at the windows without hindering the view. In 2012, the New York Landmarks Preservation Commission declared Rainbow Room a New York City. Rainbow Room is one of the few interior landmarks found in New York City.

NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Verve Label Group