Lady Gaga bids Vegas farewell in an emotional final night of her Jazz & Piano residency at Dolby Live Theater in Las Vegas’ Park MGM. The two-hour event was attended by the singer’s family and friends and paid tribute to the late Tony Bennett.
The Jazz & Piano series, spanning 48 performances, saw its share of highs and lows, including a 21-month hiatus, Tony Bennett’s passing, and an Oscar win for best song for A Star is Born.
Opening night was a memorable affair as Gaga and Bennett performed together, with Gaga praising Bennett on stage, “You know this guy right here: When everyone was calling me a tramp, he was calling me a lady. We love you, Tony.” They delighted the audience with renditions of “Lady is a Tramp” and “Cheek to Cheek.”
The final run of Jazz & Piano, the eighth iteration, maintained the residency’s traditions while introducing new surprises for Gaga’s devoted fans including a performance of her Born This Way deep cut, “Americano”
She began with the progressive pop show Enigma on December 28, 2018, followed by Jazz & Piano on January 20, 2019. This innovative approach featured jazz reinterpretations of Gaga’s hits alongside classics from the Great American Songbook, showcasing her versatility beyond her pop persona and collaborations with Tony Bennett on albums like Cheek To Cheek and 2021’s Love For Sale.
Bennett passes away at age 96 in 2023, though a pre-recorded message from the singer introduces the Jazz show.
Throughout the night, special guests added to the magic. Gaga acknowledged her father, Joe Germanotta, early in the show, raising a glass in his honor and reminiscing, “My daddy taught me how to do that—my daddy is in the audience tonight, thanks, dad—call me irresponsible…”
Later, before performing “Do I Love You,” Gaga affectionately mentioned her boyfriend, Michael Polansky, saying, “I don’t know if you brought anybody you love tonight, but I brought somebody with me that I love, Mr. Michael Polansky. I can’t bring you up on stage, but you are always in my heart, honey.”
