Tony Bennett, masterful stylist of American musical standards, dies at 96

[Tanuki]

44. He was also a gifted and dedicated visual artist.

https://www.today.com/popculture/tony-bennett-paints-too-see-singers-art-studio-works-1d79991365


"July 29, 2014, 1:19 PM CDT
By Erin Quinlan
He may have 17 Grammys, a packed summer tour schedule and a new album on the way with Lady Gaga, but even Tony Bennett needs a break from the spotlight once in a while. That's when he picks up his paint set.

Some fans of the star's music will be surprised to hear that Bennett, under his given name of Anthony Benedetto, has been churning out watercolors, oil paintings and sketches every day for years, whether he's on the road or working from his bright New York studio.

Bennett caught the fine-arts bug as a kid drawing with sidewalk chalk near his childhood home in Queens, New York, according to his artist bio, and has trained with various masters throughout his life.

Photographer and TODAY producer Neal Carter went behind the scenes with Bennett to bring us a special glimpse of the singer’s self-described alter ego and colorful creative work."



­