Tony Bennett gives museum painting of jazz great

Bennett said Wednesday that the painting was inspired by his longtime friendship with Ellington.

The painting depicts Ellington with a bouquet of pink roses in the background. The jazz musician made a habit of sending Bennett a dozen roses every time Ellington composed a new song.

The 82-year-old Bennett says he has been a lifelong painter. He says painting always keeps him in a "creative zone" if he gets tired of singing.

This is the third painting he has donated to the Smithsonian.

The National Portrait Gallery is adding the new painting to its halls on the 110th anniversary of Ellington's birth.