Page 51 - Arts Management Magazine Iss 1

“The first time I met Frank Sinatra, he said something to me that
has stayed with me my entire life and has helped sustain my career.”

eye accomplished yesterday isn’t always Sting. Tony released Duets II in the fall makes you fall in love with life. You paint
relevant to today’s audience, particular- of 2011, and his work with Lady Gaga with nature out in the field and you real-
ly in The Arts. In order to be put into on “The Lady Is a Tramp” proved to be ize how magnificent being alive is. Most
the category of “legend” and have a long one of its highlights. The album also fea- people just walk past it. I used to walk
sustained career, one must stay strong tured another distinctive track—the late past it. Each day now, because of my age,
and continue to reinvent themselves. Amy Winehouse’s final recording. She I just look at it and cherish it. If people
In the early 1980s, Tony was able to revi- and Tony sang together on “Body and could only grasp how wonderful it is to
talize his music career, which had floun- Soul.” Their collaboration won a Gram- be part of this.”
dered under rock and roll’s dominance my Award for Best Pop Performance by a
in the music industry. He was at a loss as Duo or Group in 2012. Tony wanted to share his passion for The
to how to sustain his popularity while the Bennett finds his peace through painting. Arts with young people. In 2001, he and
public’s taste in music shifted away from Bennett paints under his given name, his wife Susan Benedetto, a former pub-
his classic, standards-based style. Anthony Benedetto. Even with his busy lic school teacher, founded The Frank
Tony credits his son Danny, who became schedule, he finds time to paint every Sinatra School of the Arts high school in
his manager, with making many of the day. It is truly his passion. He has been his hometown, which they fund through
key decisions that resulted in a complete painting since he was five years old and their non-profit organization, Exploring
career makeover. Danny put his father on has become an accomplished artist with the Arts (ETA). ETA also helps other
television—on the animated series The three of his originals being part of the schools grow their arts programs. You
Simpsons, on talk shows with David Let- permanent collection at the Smithsonian can learn more and become involved at
terman, and on MTV Unplugged. Institute. Among the many owners of his www.exploringthearts.org. ?
To mark his eightieth birthday in 2006, original art around the world are Presi-
Tony released Tony Bennett Duets: An dent Bill Clinton, Mickey Rooney, Katie TONY’S EMPOWERING THOUGHT:
American Classic, recorded with a collec- Couric and Carol Connors. “Stay true to yourself, and the rest of it
tion of stars including Barbra Streisand, Bennett explains his love for painting will take care of itself.”
Elton John, Elvis Costello, Bono, and in a 2002 article written by Simon Hat-
tenstone for Britain’s The Guardian: “It You can find a more in-depth profile of Tony
Bennett in Jerry Gladstone’s international best
selling book, The Common Thread of Overcom-
ing Adversity and Living Your Dreams. Jerry is
a success and life coach as well as a corporate
speaker. TheCommonThreadGroup.com.

AMM is honored to profile legendary singer,
Tony Bennett, whose groundbreaking leader-
ship in the full spectrum of the arts: education,
philanthropy, and masterful painting, continue to
elevate the Arts in America.

Michael Reiss with Tony Bennett

www.ArtsManagementMagazine.com I Arts Management Magazine 51