The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: A Child Is Born

The song of the day for Saturday, December 25, 2021, the twelfth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “A Child Is Born.”

About This Song

“A Child Is Born” was written in 1969 by Thad Jones, who played trumpet with The Count Basie Orchestra, and Alec Wilder. Jones, whose younger brother, Elvin, was a noted jazz drummer. He left the orchestra in 1963 to pursue a career as an arranger and studio trumpet player and later moved to Denmark. “A Child Is Born” is his best-known composition; the wonderful lyrics are by Alec Wilder.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “A Child Is Born” in 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1968.

“A Child Is Born,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: O Christmas Tree

The song of the day for Friday, December 24, 2021, the eleventh day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “O Christmas Tree.”

About This Song

Also known as “O Tannenbaum,” this song is based on a 16th-century German folk song. Originally, the lyric was not specifically about Christmas, but about the “evergreen” qualities of the fir tree and dealt with faithless love.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “O Christmas Tree” for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas. The lovely arrangement is by Lee Musiker; Monty Alexander plays piano, beautifully.

“O Christmas Tree,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Christmas Waltz

The song of the day for Thursday, December 23, 2021, the tenth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “The Christmas Waltz.”

About This Song

“The Christmas Waltz” was written in 1954 by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn. They wrote it for Frank Sinatra to sing; it was released on the B-side with “White Christmas.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Christmas Waltz” for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas.

“The Christmas Waltz,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 22, 2021, the ninth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” was written by Irving Berlin for the 1937 movie On The Avenue, starring Dick Powell and Alice Faye, who introduced the song in the movie. Billie Holiday recorded it 1937 as did Mildred Bailey. Other notable recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald and Doris Day.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and his daughter, Antonia Bennett, recorded “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” for the 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas. Lee Musiker wrote the arrangement.

“I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 1`, 2021, the eighth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town.”

About This Song

“Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town” was written in 1934 by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie; the song had a spectacular debut. It was first sung on Eddie Cantor’s radio show in November, 1934. On the day after the broadcast, there were 100,000 orders for the sheet music; by that Christmas, over 400,000 copies of the sheet music had been sold.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town” in 1967 for the album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album, which was released the following year. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town,” as well as Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album is available on Apple Music.

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