Celebrity has left local people with favorable post-impression

Those who've worked with Bennett say he's sincere and humble.
By GUY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
Over the past 50 years, Tony Bennett has performed countless concerts across the globe.
For Bennett, who will play the Youngstown Convocation Center on Sunday, it's just part of the business.
But the living legend left a lasting impression on one Mahoning Valley entertainer who got a chance to work with him during one of those shows.
The year was 1982, and Mary Jo Maluso, who is now part of a well-established cabaret act with her husband, Rick Blackson, was just starting out in the business.
She got the chance to sing before Bennett took the stage at a benefit show for Boys Town of Italy at the old V.I.P. in Niles.
"Tony sang with his trio that night, and the songs had a jazzy feel," Maluso recalled. "He was very quiet that evening. He didn't talk much to the audience. The audience was very into it, but also quiet and subdued."
At the time, Maluso was the host of WYTV-33's "Good Morning Youngstown" television show and was also a newscaster on the noon news.
Bennett took the time to catch Maluso's performance. "He was very complimentary. He is a real gentleman," she said. "It was a thrill for me at that age. He influenced me to go on in a music career."
Quiet and charming
Despite his fame, Bennett seemed almost shy, according to Maluso. "But he was charming that way. He had no ego problem. That's probably why he lasted so long in this business."
Maluso called Bennett "the consummate artist. He created a style that set him apart and put him in the legend category. No one does what he does. It's his voice and his approach to a song. He is passionate about his music."
Maluso will definitely be in the audience when Bennett, 79, plays Youngstown.
"Even at his age, he's still got it," said Maluso.
Artwork
Louis A. Zona, director of the Butler Institute of American Art, never shared a stage with Bennett, but he did share a connection with the singer concerning his other passion: art.
Bennett is an accomplished artist, whose first museum exhibit was in 1994 at the Butler.
"I heard that he was an educated visual artist," said Zona. "So we approached him about doing an exhibit. He knew of the Butler because of his love of American art and jumped at the opportunity."
Zona described Bennett as "like the guy next door," and said he was easy to work with, personable and sincere.
"He's still very proud of his exhibit, to this day," said Zona, adding the Butler owns one of Bennett's best paintings.
To Bennett, painting is as important as singing. "He has said that when he's singing he thinks about painting, and when he's painting he thinks about singing," according to Zona.
Bennett is a skillful artist, Zona said. "His use of color is really good. His strength is his ability to see and paint light. His landscapes define his talent. He has a knack for capturing the subtleties of nature, how light is cast on plants and mountains."
New York memory
One memory of Bennett stands out in Zona's mind, from when he met with him in New York City.
"Tony and I were walking down Madison Avenue when he said, 'Come in here, I want to show you something.' He took me into a church and pointed to the stained-glass windows, with light streaming through them, and said, 'This is great art! I love to look at this.'"
Zona will attend Bennett's Youngstown concert and said he hopes the singer will stop by the Butler while he's in town.
"He's been kind to us over the years," said Zona.