The Art of Romance was recorded live at the newly reopened BergenPAC in Englewood, New Jersey, with Bennett's regular quartet, a 60-piece orchestra, and guests including saxophonist Phil Woods. "The first day, as I walked on stage and was surrounded by all these wonderful musicians, was a great moment," Bennett said. "It was like falling in love at first sight, and that emotion just carried through until we finished making the album."

The CD includes such standards as Harold Arlen's "Don't Like Goodbyes," Stephen Sondheim's "Being Alive," and "Where Do You Start," by Johnny Mandel and Alana and Marilyn Bergman.

The album also features Bennett's first credit as a lyricist: He wrote the words to "All for You," a vocal setting of Django Reinhardt's Nuage. "I sat down with a piece of paper and the words just flowed out," Bennett said. "It was a great experience to be on that side of the musical process."

Bennett has sold 50 million records since the early 1950s, and has won 12 Grammy Awards.