Jazz singer Antonia Bennett will perform with The New Lionel Hampton Big Band at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Saturday.
The daughter of jazz singer Tony Bennett, Antonia has been performing for more than 40 years and produced several albums. She has performed alongside well-known performers such as Rosemary Clooney and Count Basie.
Throughout the last 10 years, Antonia has been opening for her father performing in various venues such as Radio City Music Hall, the Hollywood Bowl and Caesars Palace.
Antonia and the band of will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. in the Kibbie Activity Center.
The following is a Q&A with Antonia:
When did you begin performing?
“I started performing when I was about 5 years old. My Dad would bring me up on stage to do a number with him. Then I started doing my own shows around 17 years old.”
What is your fondest memory of performing?
“It’s hard to pick one because there have been so many memorable moments. It has just been so wonderful to work with so many wonderful musicians in beautiful venues over the years. I feel truly blessed to do what I love.”
What is it like having such a well-known and detailed family history in music?
“I don’t really have anything to compare it to being this is the only family I have. It has been really cool to meet so many of my musical hero’s along the way.”
What do you think sets you apart from other jazz performers?
“I think I phrase well, have good time and a interesting sound.”
What is your favorite part about the jazz genre?
“I think my favorite thing about Jazz genre is that it’s so vast. There are so many great musicians that choose to play it and a lot of room for creativity.”
Hailey Stewart can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @HaileyAStew