Local singers find inspiration in Tony Bennett’s talent, longevity

Tony Bennett will turn 90 in August.

Let that sink in. Ninety.

He scored his first No. 1 hit, “Because of You,” in 1951. His signature song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” was released in 1963. In the past decade – you know, his 80s – he’s sold 10 million records and won six of his 19 Grammy Awards. He’s stayed contemporary with a series of smart duet projects with artists such as Amy Winehouse, John Legend, Bono, Elvis Costello, John Mayer and Carrie Underwood. His album-length collaborations with k.d. lang (2002’s “A Wonderful World”) and Lady Gaga (2014’s “Cheek to Cheek”) both won Grammys for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, as did his most recent release, 2015’s “The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern,” recorded with pianist Bill Charlap.

Bennett returns to Spokane on Saturday to perform a gala concert to benefit the Spokane Symphony. The symphony won’t be performing; instead, audiences will hear Bennett bring his remarkable voice to the Spokane Convention Center.

For local vocalists, Bennett is a true inspiration. Cabaret singer Abbey Crawford, who will miss Saturday’s show because she’s starring in “Anything Goes” at the Modern Theater Coeur d’Alene, said a song such as “The Way You Look Tonight” – her personal favorite – is a great example of what makes Bennett so special. He makes you feel you’re right there with him.

“He has such an intimate quality to his voice. He really exudes that love out of the song,” she said. “It’s one of the things I love about him so much is the fact that he makes the songs intimate. And he makes the songs actually mean something.”

Two other local vocalists, Julia Keefe and Jace Fogleman, will have an up-close view to how Bennett works. They’ll be opening the show, accompanied by the MasterClass Big Band.

Keefe and Bennett share someone in common: Mildred Bailey. Bennett has been quoted often citing Bailey – the Coeur d’Alene Indian who grew up in Spokane and who went on to fame as a jazz singer in the 1930s – as a major influence. He told Panama City Living in January that “I listened to her records all the time and, interesting enough, when Bing Crosby first heard me sing he said to me ‘You were influenced by Mildred Bailey, weren’t you?’ Which amazed me that he was able to hear that. Bing himself was greatly influenced by Mildred Bailey, and she is a ‘singer’s singer.’ I hope more people check out her music.”

Keefe feels the same way. She’s been performing a Bailey tribute for several years, and she’ll sing a couple of Bailey songs Saturday night.

Regularly in her act, she sings songs that Bailey and Bennett both recorded, including “These Foolish Things.” But she’s not sure she could ever sing something like “The Way You Looked Tonight” because Bennett’s version is perfect.

“I would love to do it. But at the same time, it’s like, ‘Should I do it, or should I just listen to Tony’s recording again?’ It’s that good,” she said with a laugh.

“His ballad game is strong,” Keefe added. “His phrasing is so lovely in that it’s conversational. I feel like Tony Bennett is always in style because his phrasing is so accessible to any music lover.”

She’s looking forward to performing at the symphony gala Saturday night.

“I was super excited when I got the call from Mark Stevens who runs the MasterClass Big Band and he asked me to do this gig,” Keefe said. “Yes! Dream come true!”

It’s also a dream come true for Fogleman, who actually met Bennett when the legend was in town for a 2013 gig at Northern Quest. Fogleman said he relished the opportunity to “pick his brain” on the music business and his inspiration.

“He said, ‘I’m going to tell you something that Duke Ellington told me one time: Always remember two things. Number one, never give up. Number two, never forget number one,’ ” Fogleman said. “It’s so simple and so true. It’s something I will always live by.”

Bennett’s lengthy career can be attributed to this philosophy. “He’s 89 years old, pushing 90, and still has the drive,” Fogleman said. “That his voice has kept up throughout the years says as much about his talent. I appreciate all that he’s done bringing in contemporary artists like Lady Gaga … I think that’s awesome because it introduces the Great American Songbook to a new generation.”

He added, “It’s truly an honor to be a part of this event. I’m very, very grateful.”