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<\/p>\nIn the history of popular music, Tony Bennett stands tall. His professional singing career can be said to have started at age 13 when he was a singing waiter in New York City\u2019s Queens borough, but it was only after serving in WWII that he landed a recording contract. Bennett\u2019s recording career has seen him cutting more than 70 albums\u2019 worth of pop, jazz and show tunes. Today at age 92 he still tours and records, and his championing of younger artists has helped bring his music to newer generations of fans.<\/p>\n
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It was several decades into that recording career before Bennett \u2013 whose early hits like \u201cI Left My Heart in San Francisco\u201d had earned him a place in the pantheon of popular vocalists \u2013 started duetting with much younger singers. His collaborative spirit had already been on rich display through a series of projects with jazz pianist Bill Evans; the two recorded many sessions together, all of which would eventually be compiled and reissued in 2009. Bennett holds dear some advice Evans gave him shortly before the pianist\u2019 1980 death. \u201cTruth and beauty: that\u2019s what you need to follow,\u201d Evans told the singer. \u201cNothing else.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBill was such a profound artist,\u201d Bennett says. \u201cHis words have fueled me ever since, and I think he was absolutely right. You need to be as honest as you possibly can. But even in the midst of that honesty \u2013 which may be dark \u2013 you have to find the light, the beauty that is always present in life.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Tony Bennett\u2019s music, that beauty takes the form of romantic songs. Whether they\u2019re about heartbreak, loss or the joys of love, Bennett sings in a distinctive yet unaffected style. And while most singers would have long since retired, the nonagenarian vocalist is still going strong: Bennett\u2019s current tour finds him crisscrossing the U.S. for dates in California and the Midwest before heading to England for a pair of performances at the Royal Albert Hall.<\/p>\n
Bennett credits a series of breaks that came after his discharge from the Army as key in helping him maintain his singing voice. \u201cI was very fortunate to be able to study at the American Theatre Wing,\u201d he says. \u201cI took all kinds of classes: acting, movement and vocal instruction.\u201d He specifically cites his training in the Bel Canto singing method, one used by many opera singers. \u201cIt gave me the foundation I needed right through the years to be able to keep my voice in shape,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a saying that I was told once,\u201d Bennett continues. \u201cIf you skip your exercises for a day, you will know it. If you skip your exercises for two days, the band<\/i> will know it. And if you skip your exercises for three days, the audience<\/i> will know it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Though Bennett\u2019s type of music fell out of favor during the rock era, by the 1990s his career was once again in full flower. Once the new century began, he cut an acclaimed album with k.d. lang, following it up with Duets: An American Classic<\/i>. On that Platinum-selling release he was joined by a variety of singers from across the pop music landscape, including the Dixie Chicks, Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello and Stevie Wonder. 2011\u2019s Duets II<\/i> repeated the formula with similar success. Viva Duets<\/i> explored a Latin American style.<\/p>\n
In 2014 Bennett released one of his most successful albums, Cheek to Cheek<\/i>, with Lady Gaga. Bennett is effusive in his praise of the singer-actor-songwriter. \u201cWhen she gets on stage she understands that the audience wants to be entertained,\u201d he says. \u201cThat\u2019s why she has so many fans who absolutely adore her. I am one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
More recently, Bennett released yet another collaborative album, this one with Diana Krall; the two first sang together on the Grammy-winning Duets: An American Classic<\/i>; the new album, 2018\u2019s Love is Here to Stay<\/i> digs into the Great American Songbook with superb results.<\/p>\n
A consummate entertainer, Tony Bennett lives to perform. He says that his goal is to make sure audiences leave his shows saying, \u201cI enjoyed myself tonight.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s how I would like to be remembered,\u201d he says. \u201cAs an entertainer who made people feel good.\u201d<\/p>\n