Tony Bennett charms again, back on tour at 90, with spectacular concerts in southern California

Still packing concert halls and receiving standing ovations, Tony Bennett gives a gracious nod to his music director and accompanist, pianist Billy Stritch. The sold-out concert kicked off Bennett's latest tour at Harrah's Southern California. Born in Queens, of a grocer mother and seamstress father, Benedetto changed his name decades ago. Tony Bennett has been performing for nearly seven decades, and still has the chops as he proved last weekend at Harrah's. Tony Bennett is known for  inventive interpretations of pop and jazz tunes.

Anthony Dominick  Benedetto, is still cookin' on 90th birthday tour

 Some day, when I'm awfully low When the world is cold I will feel a glow just thinking of you

And the way you look tonight...... Tony Bennett is performing a busy concert schedule, this time solo. We've seen him several times with Lady Gaga, here at Planet Hollywood in Vegas.

Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett at a sell-out we caught, at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas on New Year's Eve, 2014.

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

and archival shots

AS HE HEADS TOWARD 91, Tony Bennett is not letting any grass grow under his entertainer's feet.

Tony Bennett keeps a studio in his New York apartment, and has given painting lessons to Lady Gaga. His art hangs in many galleries and private collections. Cookie and Nora enjoy Tony Bennett's heart in San Francisco on the famed Union Square.

HE  SANG many of his hits -- "Just the 

Way You Look Tonight," "Watch What Happens," "Our Love Is Here to Stay," "They All Laughed," "Teach Me Tonight," and more.

Bennett was in fine form on stage, as we saw in the tour opener, at Harrah's Rincon in southern California.

He effortlessly crooned classics like “The Good Life,” “Sophisticated Lady,” “Sing You Sinners” and his signature "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Tony Bennett and wife Susan Crow cavort  on a bit of rare R&R. He and the former school teacher were married nine years ago.

EARLIER CONCERTS we'd enjoyed with him and Lady Gaga featured standards including “Bang Bang,” and Billy Strayhorn's beautiful “Lush Life.” and a bouncy “Firefly,” which Bennett joined. He steered clear of those classics this time, perhaps saving them for another tour with his friend Gaga, who considers him a mentor and father figure. (We can only hope for a reunion for their collaboration is genius.)  When a fan shouted, " "When are you touring with Gaga again?" he said, "Who knows?" Then he added with a wink, "I've heard she needs the money!"

He played several elegant tunes with Gray Sargent on guitar, and introduced him along with Count Basie's favorite drummer, Harold Jones, and gifted bass player Marshall Wood. All seemed to be relishing their time on stage with the master. His arranger, music director and pianist Billy Stritch was in his element, proving why he is one of the most sought after pianists in the business.

NEAR THE SHOW's finale, Bennett did a touching version of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile," blowing kisses as he left the stage -- and returned for a couple more encore pieces. He blew a final farewell kiss and waved  to the audience when a fan shouted, "You know we love you, Tony."

 Coming: A bridge too far? Vancouver's the place  as Cookie continues to challenge her vertigo with her fifth international bridge climb,  Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver, B.C.

UP NEXT: We've climbed bridges on several continents,

 but never our own. That changed on a recent trip to Vancouver. We climbed several beautifully designed cliff walks and a famous suspension bridge, taking a hypnotizing tour of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. This British Columbia landmark offers nature walks and talks, eco tours, rainforests, a treehouse like no other and the challenging bridge, much loved by tourists and locals alike. Remember to explore, learn and live, and catch us weekends when we post anew our reflections on lively travel, arts and nature-driven adventure.

The veteran crooner has spent nearly 70 years in show business. Just  days ago, he performed two back-to-back concerts, an energetic 90-minute show near San Diego, to kick off his 90th Birthday Tour, then another sell-out in San Jose. The pair of venues were Harrah's Southern California, and City National Civic, where Bennett introduced his world-class quartet to a pair of packed houses, and gave generous shows that seemed as much love songs, as concerts.  They were love songs to the audience -- several generations of fans who have enjoyed his music through the years.

Still packing concert halls and receiving standing ovations, Tony Bennett gives a gracious nod to his music director and accompanist, pianist Billy Stritch. The sold-out concert kicked off Bennett's latest tour at Harrah's Southern California.

Born in Queens, of a grocer mother and seamstress father, Benedetto changed his name decades ago. Tony Bennett has been performing for nearly seven decades, and still has the chops as he proved last weekend at Harrah's.

Tony Bennett is known for  inventive interpretations of pop and jazz tunes.

Anthony Dominick  Benedetto, is still cookin' on 90th birthday tour Some day, when I'm awfully low When the world is cold I will feel a glow just thinking of you

And the way you look tonight...... Tony Bennett is performing a busy concert schedule, this time solo. We've seen him several times with Lady Gaga, here at Planet Hollywood in Vegas.

Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett at a sell-out we caught, at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas on New Year's Eve, 2014.

AS HE HEADS TOWARD 91, Tony Bennett is not letting any grass grow under his entertainer's feet. Tony Bennett keeps a studio in his New York apartment, 

and has given painting lessons to Lady Gaga. His art hangs in many galleries and private collections. Cookie and Nora enjoy Tony Bennett's heart in San Francisco on the famed Union Square.

The veteran crooner has spent nearly 70 years in show business. Just  days ago, he performed two back-to-back concerts, an energetic 90-minute show near San Diego, to kick off his 90th Birthday Tour, then another sell-out in San Jose. The pair of venues were Harrah's Southern California, and City National Civic, where Bennett introduced his world-class quartet to a pair of packed houses, and gave generous shows that seemed as much love songs, as concerts.  They were love songs to the audience -- several generations of fans who have enjoyed his music through the years.

HE  SANG many of his hits -- "Just the Way You Look Tonight," "Watch What Happens," "Our Love Is Here to Stay," "They All Laughed," "Teach Me Tonight," and more.

Bennett was in fine form on stage, as we saw in the tour opener, at Harrah's Rincon in southern California.

He effortlessly crooned classics like “The Good Life,” “Sophisticated Lady,” “Sing You Sinners” and his signature "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Tony Bennett and wife Susan Crow cavort  on a bit of rare R&R. He and the former school teacher were married nine years ago.

EARLIER CONCERTS we'd enjoyed with him and

Lady Gaga featured standards including “Bang Bang,” and Billy Strayhorn's beautiful “Lush Life.” and a bouncy “Firefly,” which Bennett joined. He steered clear of those classics this time, perhaps saving them for another tour with his friend Gaga, who considers him a mentor and father figure. (We can only hope for a reunion for their collaboration is genius.)  When a fan shouted, " "When are you touring with Gaga again?" he said, "Who knows?" Then he added with a wink, "I've heard she needs the money!"

He played several elegant tunes with Gray Sargent on guitar, and introduced him along with Count Basie's favorite drummer, Harold Jones, and gifted bass player Marshall Wood. All seemed to be relishing their time on stage with the master. His arranger, music director and pianist Billy Stritch was in his element, proving why he is one of the most sought after pianists in the business.

NEAR THE SHOW's finale, Bennett did a touching version of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile," blowing kisses as he left the stage -- and returned for a couple more encore pieces. He blew a final farewell kiss and waved  to the audience when a fan shouted, "You know we love you, Tony."

 Coming: A bridge too far? Vancouver's the place  as Cookie continues to challenge her vertigo with her fifth international bridge climb,  Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver, B.C.

UP NEXT: We've climbed bridges on several continents,

 but never our own. That changed on a recent trip to Vancouver. We climbed several beautifully designed cliff walks and a famous suspension bridge, taking a hypnotizing tour of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. This British Columbia landmark offers nature walks and talks, eco tours, rainforests, a treehouse like no other and the challenging bridge, much loved by tourists and locals alike. Remember to explore, learn and live, and catch us weekends when we post anew our reflections on lively travel, arts and nature-driven adventure.