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Sylvia Bennett

Grammy nominated Sylvia Bennett, the timeless smooth jazz and pop vocalist sings of love with a warmth, clarity and spirit that is enveloping and tender, showcasing the depth of her skill, talent and experience. She's sung with Lionel Hampton and she's s

About Me

”Man, the lady can sing! Her magic gets to the ears and the hearts of the audience.” - Lionel Hampton

Sylvia Bennett sings of love and romance with a warm and smooth vocal delivery that leaves you longing for more. Her passion for keeping the Great American Songbook alive has resulted in a repertoire of music that shows her love for the timeless standards.

The Italian born and American raised Bennett is a singer’s singer, having sung on TV, in Community Theater, club dates, conventions and even the inaugurations of presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush. Walking in the footsteps of her idols such as Barbra Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald, Barry Manilow and Bette Midler, Sylvia has opened for artists as diverse as Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller, Jackie Mason, Dizzy Gillespie, Barry Gibb and David Brenner.

Her big break came in the 1980’s, when legendary vibraphonist and National Arts Award Winner, Lionel Hampton took Sylvia under his wing and made her the first female singer to record with him in thirty years. She recounts, “Lionel validated me as a performer and inspired me to be the best singer I can be. He made me realize that the audience was the most important thing and that all I needed to do was to sing from the heart and be honest.” Sylvia worked with Hampton for ten years, touring and recording two albums together. The first, Sentimental Journey, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1987. The second project, There Will Never Be Another You, was a CD/DVD tribute to “Hamp” from Sylvia, and she furthered the honor to her mentor with the show, “The Lady and the Legend,” premiering in Miami in 2007.

Since that time, Sylvia has gone on to record four more CDs: Songs From the Heart, It’s Christmas Time, Smile and Sonríe. Her latest CD, Sonríe, was inspired by her passion for Latin music and culture, Sonríe realizes one of Sylvia Bennett’s most cherished dreams: a Spanish-language recording of timeless classics. It is an irresistible Latin seduction, a tropical concoction as intoxicating as a first kiss.

In addition to her recordings, Sylvia loves to perform in front of a live audience. She has created a unique blend of different shows covering everything from Broadway to pop and from swing to international singing in English, Spanish, and French. Her goal of making people happy motivates her to continue bringing music and joy to the world.