Lady Gaga bid an emotional farewell to her iconic Jazz & Piano residency at Dolby Live Theater in Las Vegas’ Park MGM on Saturday, July 6. Over the course of the two-hour performance, Gaga hinted at a possible return to the Strip, acknowledged her father and boyfriend in the audience, and paid tribute to her jazz mentor, Tony Bennett.
Throughout the finale, Gaga teased the crowd with a mischievous remark, “I can’t believe this is the last time we are going to do this. No, it’s not, we’ll do it again…” During this run of Jazz & Piano, which commenced on June 19, Gaga suggested the prospect of a new residency, telling fans, “…when we come back, we hope you’ll come back, we’ll have a brand-new show for you.” She confirmed that the future show would lean towards pop music.
Gaga’s dual residencies in Las Vegas broke new ground in the entertainment capital. 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” (2014) and “Love for Sale” (2021).
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.
The evening began with a nostalgic touch, featuring a black-and-white backstage video of Gaga warming up with her band to Nat King Cole’s “Orange Colored Sky.” Backed by a full orchestra and her talented ensemble including Brian Newman, Alex Smith, Steve Kortyka, Donald Barrett, and Daniel Foose, Gaga kicked off the show with the classic “Luck Be A Lady.”
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Despite Bennett’s passing in July of the previous year at age 96, his presence lingered throughout the show. Introduced via voiceover, Bennett’s pre-recorded announcement set the stage for Gaga’s entrance: “Ladies and gentlemen, the incredible Lady Gaga.”
Every note and lyric on the closing night felt like a heartfelt farewell letter from Gaga’s jazz persona, “the Lady,” delivered with the kind of showmanship and emotional depth that has become her trademark.
Addressing the audience with both humor and sentiment, Gaga promised, “Las Vegas, you are in for a treat … it is Saturday, and you are going to feel like shit on Monday and in the morning, too. This is the last show of this residency in Las Vegas, which means tonight we will make you sick. You will be so sick, but the best is yet to come.”
As she sang Sinatra’s “The Best is Yet to Come,” modified to suit the occasion, Gaga visibly moved the audience with her heartfelt performance, accompanied by her band’s electrifying instrumentation and punctuated by multiple standing ovations.
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.”
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Reflecting her theatrical flair, Gaga’s costumes evolved throughout the residency, with each performance showcasing new additions. For this final stretch, her attire exuded a sense of grandeur, with one outfit reminiscent of Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic look from “Cleopatra.” Sitting at her piano in this gown, Gaga expressed, “‘Born This Way’ is everything I stand for.”
As the curtains closed on her Jazz & Piano residency, Lady Gaga left an indelible mark on Las Vegas entertainment history, blending her pop prowess with a newfound appreciation for jazz classics. With promises of future endeavors, Gaga bid farewell for now, but left her audience eagerly anticipating her next chapter in the City of Lights.
