Life

From his 1950s jukebox ditty "Because of You," to a special tribute to him aired on NBC this fall, Tony Bennett's career has encompassed countless memorable moments.
The renowned singer has been through ups and downs, and at 80 years old, he's still going strong. He returns to the King Center in Melbourne on Wednesday for a classic performance with his jazz quartet.

In an interview by e-mail, Bennett shared with FLORIDA TODAY how he got to where he is and what it's like to be a music legend.
FLORIDA TODAY: Let's start with your new record, "Duets: An American Classic." There are so many great contemporary artists that you collaborated with.

How would you describe this album?
TONY BENNETT: Well, it was an album of proper involvement in that we chose songs that were meaningful to me and the artists, who got to choose which song they wanted to perform. We recorded them live in the studio.

FT: Do you have a favorite track?
TB: Stevie Wonder really knocked me out with his performance. Not just his singing, but his instrumental on the harmonica.

He is really an accomplished jazz artist.
FT: Can you give us a preview of your show at the King Center? Will you perform many of the songs from "Duets?

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TB: My jazz quartet will be joining me, and we like to keep things spontaneous, but I'm sure there might be a song or two from the new CD.
FT: You are undoubtedly idolized by the artists featured on "Duets." Who was your biggest idol when you started out?

TB: Sinatra and Bing Crosby were both great influences, but I had a wonderful music teacher, Mimi Speer, who gave me excellent advice early on. She told me to avoid imitating other singers, to pay attention to jazz instrumentalists and try to learn their approach. I loved Art Tatum, so I think a lot of my vocal style was influenced by him.

FT: Frank Sinatra once said you were the best singer in the biz. How did that make you feel at the time?
TB: Oh, boy, that was such a compliment for me and really changed everything .

. . all of a sudden everyone felt that they should pay attention to this singer who is Sinatra's favorite.

I will never forget that.
FT: At what age, and how did you come to realize that you wanted a singing career?
TB: I always had two passions: singing and painting, and have studied both all my life.

On Sundays, our family would get together and myself, my brother and my sister would all be in a circle, surrounded by my relatives, and we would sing for everybody. I knew then that I wanted to perform.
FT: Did you ever consider doing anything else career-wise?

TB: There was a time in high school when I was studying art. I thought I might just concentrate on that and stop taking my music classes, but my music teacher told me to stick with it, so I did.
FT: As we know, you turned 80 in August.

What's your secret to longevity?
TB: As a performer, you have to be true to yourself, and as long as you do that, you will be able to have a long career.
FT: What does Tony Bennett do when he's not on the road?

I know you're an avid painter. Do you have any other hobbies?
TB: I paint every day, and I like to play tennis as much as I can.

FT: You've also dedicated much of your time to helping others, such as the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and the American Cancer Society. Are there any philanthropy projects you are working on right now, or do you have any coming up?
TB: I started a public arts school in my hometown of Queens, called the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts.

It is in its fifth year and over 90 percent of the kids graduate and go on to college, which is very high. We are raising money for the permanent site, as we are in a temporary site right now, so I have been focusing on the school for the last several years.
FT: Being someone who has won 13 Grammy awards, sold more than 50 million records and has received countless more prestigious honors in his lifetime, when you look back on everything, how does it feel?

Help us understand what it is like to be Tony Bennett.
TB: I still can't get over it . .

. and this year, when I turned 80, has been my best year ever. It's hard for me to understand it, but I have always just wanted to entertain people, and for 90 minutes or so, make them forget their daily problems.

That's very satisfying to me and keeps me going.