Tony Bennett, going strong at 93, gives his take on music, world peace and finding passion

Tony Bennett, a constant of American music for nearly 70 years, is still crooning at age 93.

“It’s not that you want to sing, it’s that you have to sing,” Bennett remembers jazz great Joe Williams telling him on a plane ride.

It’s a sentiment that Bennett has found to be true. And so he keeps singing.

But more than that, he continues to attract generations of listeners while staying true to his own voice.

Part of the secret may be the style with which the entertainer moves right along with the times; his long list of collaborations spans Judy Garland to Lady Gaga, and his discography includes everything from Christmas records to an MTV unplugged album.

Bennett spoke with the Bradenton Herald via email ahead of his visit to Van Wezel Performing Arts Center in Sarasota on Tuesday.

Here’s what he had to say.

It’s amazing that you’ve the passed the legacy of music-making on to your kids. What is it like to share a stage with Antonia?

I have a very creative family and my two sons are involved with my career - my son Danny is my manager and my son Dae produces my recordings.

It’s been wonderful to have Antonia on the road with me for the past few years. When she was little she would often join me on stage and sing a song, so she got her start performing in public early on.

I like the fact that my family is part of what I am doing.

You’ve had a long and successful career in the public eye. What’s one thing that you think people would be surprised to know about you?

It doesn’t often come up in conversation but I don’t drive - I drove a car once when I was a young pup and it didn’t go so well, so I never drove again.

You have collaborated with many amazing artists over the years. Which collaborations stick out in your mind?

In particular many of the collaborations I have done with female singers come to mind - whether singing with Judy Garland on her TV show or touring with Lena Horne in the ‘70s.

And then being wowed by k.d. lang, who, like all great artists, makes it look effortless. And touring and recording an album with her as well as having her on my duet albums.

Most recently of course is Lady Gaga, and my first impression was that she was an excellent piano player. And then when I heard her sing “Orange Colored Sky” at a benefit we were both performing at, I was not only astounded by her artistry but also how the audience responded to her. After the show I went backstage and asked if she would record a song with me for “DUETS II” and she instantly said yes. We have been having fun together ever since.

You have dedicated years upon years upon years to a craft. How did you know that music was your calling? What advice would you have for people who are trying to find something to dedicate their lives to?

My Italian-American family inspired me to become a performer. They would gather at our house every Sunday afternoon and we would have a big meal together and then afterwards they would sit in a circle and my brother, sister and I would perform for them. They gave me so much encouragement on those afternoons that I think it was that early on in my life that I started to have the idea of becoming a performer.

I once met the singer Joe Williams on a plane and he said it best, “It’s not that you want to sing, it’s that you have to sing.” So finding something you love to do - whatever it may be - is the key, and it’s more important that you love doing it than how good you are at doing it when you first start out. If you have a passion for something, then it will improve over time because you are doing something you love.

You have managed to create a timeless sound that has drawn in generations of listeners. In that sense, you are somewhat of an authority on making good music. What modern musicians, vocalists or music movements excite you? What do you think the future of music will be?

Well, I definitely think what Lady Gaga is doing is wonderful — especially in her “Jazz and Piano” show at Las Vegas — and she has proven that you can merge genres and do it all, but she has extraordinary artistry and dedication.

As to the future of music, that will take care of itself, as humans are a highly creative species and good music will always rise to the top eventually.

As someone who witnessed the horrors of World War II firsthand, what do you think of the state of the world today? Is there anything that you would like to pass on to people who did not live through that time period?

Being a foot soldier in World War II made me a lifelong pacifist, and I still hope that there will be a time when all the weapons are in the junk pile and violence has diminished. I think if we always try to be kind to each other and understand that we have more in common with another human being that outweigh our differences, we can move away from hatred.

My wife Susan and I started a non-profit we called Exploring the Arts that supports arts education in public high schools. And the premise is not to necessarily foster professional singers and dancers but by ensuring that students get a well-rounded exposure to the arts and the chance to express their own creativity and experience the creativity of their classmates, they will not only become better artists but will be better citizens.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just that I look forward to performing the best possible songs I can find for the public, and I like to make them feel good. If after they leave the theater they say they enjoyed themselves, then I feel wonderful.

Details: 8 p.m. Tuesday. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $98-$148.

Info: vanwezel.org.

This story was originally published November 29, 2019 at 5:30 AM.