Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art celebrates Tony Bennett with
July 30, 2026
The Pawleys Island Festival of Music and Art (PIFMA) will host a tribute to one of the greatest icons of the Great American Songbook this fall. “The Good Life: A Tribute to Tony Bennett,” featuring the Joe Gransden Orchestra, takes the stage on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Held at The Reserve Golf Club of Pawleys Island, the high-energy performance promises an unforgettable, swinging journey through the life, music, and lasting legacy of Tony Bennett, who passed away in 2023 at age 96. 
Honoring a Legend of the Great American Songbook
Renowned vocalist and trumpeter Joe Gransden created the show as a personal tribute to Bennett’s peerless tone, phrasing, and operatic technique. “He had an almost classical breathing style when he sang—this Italian bel canto, almost operatic. It’s why he could sing well into his 90s… when I saw him in concert, he sang for 90 minutes straight with no intermission,” said Gransden. “His attention to lyrics and melody makes him one of the greatest singers.”
Gransden invites audiences of all generations to experience the performance—from lifelong fans who grew up listening to Bennett on vinyl to younger listeners who discovered him through his legendary collaborations with Lady Gaga.
“I think it’s important to pay respect to his music,” Gransden added. “To me, the Great American Songbook is some of the greatest music ever written, and Tony Bennett did it better than anyone.”
Tickets are on sale now. To reserve your seats or learn more about the 2026 festival lineup, visit www.pawleysmusic.com.
