Lady Gaga’s career has been characterized by blossoming and becoming, from her embryonic electro-pop and neo-burlesque phases to acting roles and her current course as the queen of cabaret singing. Her evolution led to the upper echelon of Las Vegas resident headliners when she became the first performer to launch two residencies at Park MGM beginning in 2018, but in the post-pandemic era her heart seems to be more aligned with her tribute to the Great American Songbook, Lady Gaga: Jazz & Piano.
That’s not to say her pop concert residency, Lady Gaga: Enigma, won’t return, but April marks the second time she’s booked a Jazz & Piano engagement since live performing returned to the Strip. That has a lot to do with Tony Bennett, with whom she released a second recording of standards, Love for Sale, in September. The Cole Porter tribute became a No. 1 jazz album and a Top 10 pop album.
Although Bennett retired from performing regularly in February 2021, he celebrated his 95th birthday by teaming up with Gaga at Radio City Music Hall for two August shows titled One Last Time: An Evening with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. Fueled by the emotion of the moment, Gaga danced and sang like she was born to keep the legacies of jazz standards—and Bennett himself—alive.
It’s safe to say Bennett left his heart with Lady Gaga at those shows. His spirit is with her in Lady Gaga Jazz & Piano, mingling with her devotion to kindness that she expressed to Oprah Winfrey on Oprah’s Super Soul podcast in February.
“I think after the past 10 years as my career has grown and changed and I’ve done different things, I’ve really become pretty mindful of my position in the world and my responsibility to humanity and for those who follow me,” she said. “I consider myself to be a kindness punk.”
Dolby Live at Park MGM, 8 p.m. April 14, 16-17, 21, 23-24, 28, 30 & May 1, starting at $165 plus tax and fee. ticketmaster.com
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