Sylvia bennett biography

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.

Songs From The Heart featuring the Three Tenors emerged in the wake of Sylvia's tribute to Hampton, when her producer, two-time Grammy nominee and two-time ASCAP Award winner, Hal Batt, suggested that she record timeless love songs and standards, backed by a small band to convey the desired intimacy. Sylvia was enamored of the idea immediately. “I'm a hopeless romantic,” she says unhesitatingly, “I think that love is what life is all about - wanting it, having it, losing it and having it again.” The songs, classics from the great American songbook, were chosen for how they related to the experience of love, making it a concept album, akin in spirit to Frank Sinatra's great concept albums of the mid-

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

She’s one part jazz, one part pop, and one part sultry. If you like Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, and Rosemary Clooney, you’ll LOVE Sylvia Bennett.

Italian born and American raised Sylvia Bennett is a Grammy nominated international recording artist and song–writer who has performed at Presidential Inaugurations and opened for such renowned artists as Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller, Jackie Mason, Dizzy Gillespie, Barry Gibb and David Brenner. Discovered by the legendary Lionel Hampton, she has since captivated audiences and critics alike with her sultry, honeyed tones and seductive blend of jazz and pop. She’s the inimitable, unforgettable Sylvia Bennett.

Sylvia and Lionel Hampton’s first recording project was the Grammy nominated Sentimental Journey. A second project, There Will Never Be Another You, was a CD/DVD tribute she dedicated to her beloved mentor and would be followed by eight more CDs: Songs From the Heart, It’s Christmas Time, Smile, Sonríe, C’est Si Bon, Best Love Songs, It’s All About Love and For You.

It’s All About Love, was Sylvia’s first all original, contemporary jazz album. The project produced three hits before its release date in April 2016 reaching #24 on the 2016 SmoothJazz.com Year–End Chart. Sylvia continues her journey into smooth original music with the brand–new album FOR YOU which delivers another successful set of contemporary, sensuous songs from the Miami–based vocalist and songwriter. It features the successful collaborative combo with Ms. Bennett’s longtime producer and writing partner, Hal S. Batt. The renowned Miami producer and Afterhours Music studio owner has worked with some of the biggest names in Miami recording history including Ricky Martin, Julio Iglesias, Regina Belle and many more. Hungarian violinist and bandleader Peter Ferencz, from the Smooth Jazz Pop

Renowned for her enchanting voice that resonates deeply with audiences worldwide, Sylvia Bennett blends jazz sophistication with pop allure. Discovered by the legendary Lionel Hampton, Sylvia is a Grammy-nominated international recording artist and songwriter whose career has spanned illustrious performances at Presidential Inaugurations and alongside icons like Bob Hope and Dizzy Gillespie.

Her musical journey began with Hampton, leading to their Grammy-nominated collaboration on 'Sentimental Journey' and a touching tribute, 'There Will Never Be Another You.' Sylvia's discography boasts twelve albums, including 'Amazing Love,' a poignant ode to her late husband, Hal.

Beyond her music, Sylvia curates the Sylvia Bennett Gift Collection and delights in captivating live audiences with her versatile repertoire, spanning Broadway classics to international hits. Whether singing in English, Spanish, or French, Sylvia's mission remains unwavering: to uplift hearts and spirits through the universal language of music.