They say you can judge a man by the company he keeps. And in the case of Tony Bennett, we have one very impressive and open-minded man.

Richard Drew, Associated Press At 80, singer Tony Bennett has sold 50 million records worldwide, has charted an album in every decade from the '50s on, and has won 13 Grammys. Tony Bennett With: Members of the Pittsburgh Symphony. Where: Heinz Hall. When: 8 tonight. Tickets: $70-$100; 412-392-4900.

On "Tony Bennett: Duets/An American Classic," a record due out next month, the legendary crooner is joined by artists who work in his own traditional pop-jazz style -- Barbra Streisand, Chris Botti, Michael Buble -- but he also reaches beyond that to the likes of Bono, Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, the Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw and John Legend.

Along with the musical diversity, it speaks to the vitality of a man who just turned 80 and has enjoyed a career that spans all the way back to the late '40s, when he was discovered in New York opening for Pearl Bailey by none other than Bob Hope. The son of an Italian grocer, he signed to Columbia Records in 1950 and has been with the label longer than any other recording artist in its history.

In that time, he's racked up more than 50 million records sold worldwide, he's charted an album in every decade and won 13 Grammys, including one last year for "The Art of Romance."

Name another World War II veteran that is still winning Grammys and duetting with New Wave artists.

Bennett comes to Heinz Hall tonight in the midst of a banner 80th year. Bennett is the subject of an NBC special this fall that was shot at the Los Angeles Theater by Oscar winner and Pittsburgh native Rob Marshall. And then there is the "Duets" record, which, unlike Frank Sinatra's similar project, found the singer actually working in the same studio as the other artists.

Bennett's schedule is jam-packed right now, but he did agree to an interview -- provided it was in the modern-day style of the e-mail exchange.

First off, happy birthday, and congratulations on being so vital at the age of 80. Did you think you would still be performing at 80?

Thank you. ... It's funny in that ever since January everywhere I go people have been wishing me a happy birthday and presenting me with birthday cakes, so it was nice to finally have my birthday actually happen! [It was Aug. 3.] My heroes have always been George Burns, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante -- performers who actively performed all the time until very late. I still love what I do and I love to perform, so I am thrilled that I can still continue to do this at this point in my career.

Do you think your voice has changed in the last decade?

I started out as a tenor, but over the years I have become a baritone. ... But it's not just your voice that changes, it's over time learning how to hone your craft, what to leave out, what to leave in ...

How was the overall experience in making the "Duets" record?

I had a great time doing the "Duets" CD. We traveled to Los Angeles and London and then to New Jersey to my son Dae's studio, Bennett Studios, to record the record. Every artist was very prepared, but each one had their own approach. So it was very interesting to record with so many different artists in a very condensed period of time.

Were there any surprises?

I was surprised at how prepared everyone was -- they all came into the studio having learned the material. I think some of the artists were surprised that we were recording live with my quartet, as that is not the way they were used to recording ... but they seemed to love that approach by the end of the session. Paul McCartney told me how much he was influenced by Cole Porter in his songwriting, which I did not know, and Stevie Wonder played some great jazz on the piano during a break, and we talked about Oscar Peterson and how much Stevie loved jazz.

How does it work better to actually sing with the person?

Singing is all about communication, and the only way to really be properly involved with a performer is to be side by side when you are singing a duet. ... There is a chemistry that keeps it vital and alive that you cannot re-create if the two performers are separated.

You seem to be one of the few artists of your generation who has reached out to rock performers. Why have you done that?

Most of the artists that performed with me on "Duets" are at that point in their career where they are very established and really have their own musical legacy all on their own. I think some of the newer artists that we recorded with (John Legend, Juanes) have what it takes to have long successful careers, so there was a great energy to work with these artists so early on in their careers.

Are there still things you would like to accomplish musically?

I have so many ideas for my music and my painting that I only hope I have another 20 years to get it all accomplished! I love jazz -- it's still my favorite -- and through the years I have always tried to record and perform with jazz artists since they are so spontaneous that you can sing songs over and over each night and every time they sound different. So I have this wonderful jazz quartet that tours with me around the world, and each time we perform it feels like it's for the first time.

You left your heart in San Francisco, but how would you define your relationship with audiences in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh is very fortunate to have such a magnificent concert hall in their town. Heinz Hall happens to be one of my most favorite places to perform, and the fans there have always welcomed me and treated me beautifully. It really makes every time I come there feel very special.