Tony Bennett is back in Las Vegas at Encore Theater

By Brock Radke (contact)

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017 | 2 a.m.

It’s hard to believe there could be any awards left for Tony Bennett to win after 70 years of entertaining the world. But in November, the 91-year-old legend will receive the Gershwin Prize from the Library of Congress, becoming the first singer to receive the honor that traditionally has been given to composers.

“I didn’t know about that part,” Bennett told me from New York a few weeks ago. “I’m very honored and thrilled about it. You know, I’ve had a great life. The public has been wonderful to me through the years. And I love doing what I do.”

Bennett is back in Las Vegas, one of his favorite cities to perform, for a series of shows at the Wynn’s Encore Theater beginning Wednesday.

Your production at Encore Theater is called “The Best is Yet to Come.” Is this something you’ve done elsewhere or is it exclusively for Wynn? It’s strictly for Las Vegas.

Your daughter Antonia will be there, too. What’s it like to share the stage with her? She opens the show for me and she’s doing a great job. She’s just a terrific person and I love performing with her, and I love being close to my family.

You’ve performed in Las Vegas through every possible era of entertainment in this city, from before the Strip was the Strip. I’ve had some great days in Las Vegas, unforgettable times. The last time I played there they named the street after me! I was very honored. I love doing it, I love being in Las Vegas because you run into so many performers you love. It’s a great feeling to be part of the whole scene there.

Are you still painting? It’s something I do every day. I’m always learning something from observing nature and seeing how wonderful it is and trying to give an impression of the way I see it.

Is painting a similar experience like singing, or is it something you do because it’s different? I think I’m still performing because I love doing what I do and it’s always so interesting to me still. I always feel like it’s the first time I’m doing something. It’s very exciting at my age to still be going strong and being accepted by the public … I’m very honored they’ve chosen me and accepted me, so it’s a thrill.

Are you planning to record more music soon? Yes, I’m doing another album with Lady Gaga, coming up. [Their collaborative album Cheek to Cheek was released in 2014.]

What is it about Gaga that makes her such a great collaborator? A lot of people know her in so many different ways, but I accept her as a great singer, one of the best I’ve ever heard. And I’m going to try to bring that out on the next recording we put together.

Tony Bennett: The Best is Yet to Come will be presented at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas at 8 p.m. November 1, 3, 4, 8, 10 and 11. For tickets and information, visit wynnlasvegas.com.