Mathis writes new chapter to Great American Songbook

When you think of all the songs Johnny Mathis has recorded and sung over the decades, the iconic torch songs that propelled sales of 350 million-plus, you probably wouldn’t peg him to cover Pharrell’s infectiously poppy “Happy.”

Or, for that matter, A Great Big World’s “Say Something (I’m Giving Up On You).”

On his months-old album “Johnny Mathis Sings The Great New American Songbook,” Mathis makes an argument that contemporary pop songs by Pharrell and Adele will one day make it into the Great American Songbook that he has drawn from throughout his 65-year career.

“The young stuff nowadays can get kinda loopy and kinda crazy, so I had to look hard to find some songs,” he admitted during a phone call in late February to talk about his Tucson concert on Sunday, March 25, at Centennial Hall.

But once upon a time, someone listening to Walter Donaldson’s “Makin Whoopee” probably thought it was a little too loopy to have staying power.

Mathis’ next generation of Great American Songbook tunes also includes Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” Secret Garden’s “You Raise Me Up” and “Blue Ain’t Your Color” by the Nashville powerhouse songwriting trio of Hillary Lindsey, Clint Lagerberg and Steven Lee Olsen.

Mathis said he might sing one or two of those songs at Centennial Hall, but he admits it’s challenging. Today’s songwriters write for a specific singer or voice, which makes it hard to replicate live.

Take “Hallelujah” for example, which he described as a word picture painted through Cohen’s sparse lyrics.

“It doesn’t have many words, so I haven’t been able to do that (live),” said the 82-year-old. “But there was one I really like that I’m contemplating singing as soon as I get up enough nerve to do it. Sometimes they give you points for trying on stage, so long as it doesn’t go too long.”

What we can expect from him are his hits, the gems that defined his career from the beginning, when a 17-year-old kid from San Francisco gave up his shot at competing in the high jump in the Olympics to pursue his show business dreams. His iconic hits “Chances Are,” “It’s Not For Me to Say,” “Far From Never,” “Misty” and “Unforgettable” are sure to be on the setlist.

One song you won’t hear him sing is his only No. 1 hit, “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late,” his 1978 duet with Deniece Williams.

“I used to do it a long time ago when I had that No. 1 record, but then all of a sudden I didn’t do it and nobody seems to miss it,” he said with a little chuckle. “Maybe it wasn’t as big a deal as I thought it was.”

An orchestra of 23 Tucson musicians will support Mathis and his band, which includes his guitar player, who has been with him for 40 years; his drummer, who’s been around 25 years; his bass player — 15 years — and conductor — a decade.

Sunday’s concert is Mathis’ first in Tucson since 1992.

“I’ve always wanted to come back for the strangest reason. My mom was born in Arizona and every time I go back, I think of my mom,” he said. “I’m looking forward to coming there. It’s been a while, so let’s do it.”