At 87 years and more than six decades of career behind him, Tony Bennett never ceases to amaze. The crooner released in September Cheek to Cheek , a new jazz album on which he sings with Lady Gaga's golden age classics of American music.Read the full interview below and find out the new song title
You never miss an opportunity to participate in the Montreal Jazz Festival. What does that mean to you?
I give concerts around the world and I am always looking for rooms with a high quality audio. La Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier has become over the years one of my favorite rooms. In addition, I love Montreal!
What relationship do you have with your daughter Antonia?
She was singing with my band when she was 5 years old. I am very happy that she chose this profession; she understands me. This is a very good person. I've never met someone who makes friends too quickly! This is a very good jazz singer. We interpret all a very nice song by Steven Sondheim.
The song in your repertoire which you are most proud of?
I Left My Heart In San Francisco . This is undoubtedly the most important thing I've done and it's still my favorite song. I'm still happy to sing and the audience reacts every time when he hears it. At the time, Ralph Sharon, an incredible jazz pianist, had a friend who wrote this song. During our first performance in San Francisco, he told me it would be a good song for us. When we did it in rehearsal at the Fairmont Hotel, the people who were present recommended us to register. It was an immediate hit. I had great success, but never as big as this one.
Do you remember the first song you wrote?
Yes, it was a song for my wife entitled You And I . This is a love song which I am very proud.
Have you always wanted to sing?
My father died when I was 10. The whole family came to see us to help my mother to relax while working hard to put food on the table. They formed a circle around my brother, my sister and I and we were entertained. They always told me they liked the way I sang. Since that day, I keep the same passion for music, so I can still sing as if I had just started.
The most memorable encounter in your career?
Surely one with Lena Horne. We performed for two years in the world. Everyone saw us together. When I met Fred Astaire and Cary Grant, they both told me it was the best show they had seen!
Even the songs of Lady Gaga with which you release a new album?
I don’t understand why she makes contemporary music. When she sings great standards, she does it with such emotion… She will surprise people with the quality of her voice when making quality songs. We sing covers together on the album, but also separately. There are also some original songs, including one she wrote called Paradise. With this album, I think she will become bigger than Elvis Presley! Of course we recorded the album in New York. As the song says: “If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere”.
You expose your paintings regularly. What place has the painting in your life?
I paint every day. Nature is what inspires me the most. I love listening to music while I paint, like classical or jazz. I listen to anything current: I'm not one to follow the top 40 I actually do not even not pay attention.!
