The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 21, 2019, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the life and music of William James Basie, who was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, on August 21, 1904. In addition to his fine work on the piano, Count Basie was one of best and longest-lasting big band leaders. He founded the Count Basie Orchestra in 1935 and that orchestra is still playing today. Some of America’s finest jazz musicians played with Basie, including Buck Clayton, Lester Young, Thad Jones, Jo J0nes, Buddy Rich, and Paul Gonsalves are just a few of former members of the Count Basie Orchestra. Harold Jones, called Count Basie’s favorite drummer, currently plays in Tony Bennett’s quartet.

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John LaTouche and Ted Fetter, for the 1940 BRoadway musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” in 1958 for his second album with Count Basie and His Orchestra, In Person!, released in 1959. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Taking A Chance On Love

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“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: We’ll Be Together Again

The song of the day for Friday, August 16, 2019, is “We’ll Be Together Again.”

Pianist Bill Evans was born on August 16, 1929, 90 years ago. I wish he was still with us.

Today and for the next few days, we’ll be playing songs recorded by Tony Bennett and Bill Evans in 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album and in 1976 for Together Again.

About This Song

“We’ll Be Together Again” was written in 1945 by Carl T. Fischer and singer Frankie Laine. Fischer was Frankie Laine’s pianist and musical director. Fischer asked Laine to write the lyrics, which he, quite nicely. In addition to the recording by Tony Bennett and Bill Evans, this song has been recorded by Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra and, of course, Frankie Laine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “We’ll Be Together Again” in June 1975 in Berkeley, California at Fantasy Records, Evans’s label. It was released in 1975 on their first album The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

We’ll Be Together Again

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“We’ll Be Together Again,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

In honor of Bill’s birthday, I’d like to present his solo recording of the theme from film The Bad and the Beautiful, which was released on Together Again. During a break, Evans was working on this song and Tony loved it so much that he insisted that it be recorded and released on their second album. I’m very glad he did.

The Bad And The Beautiful

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Lena Horne

Lena Horne passed away on May 9, 2010. She was 92 years old. I read a news article about her death today. In any case, here is my much-belated post.

In 1973, Horne and Tony Bennett starred in Tony and Lena. She and Bennett subsequently toured the US and UK. Tony wrote about working with Lena in his book Life is a Gift.

Lena was such a class act, a great lady with an incredible work ethic. We sang Harold Arlen songs that had been arranged as duets for us, and later both Cary Grant and Fred Astaire separately told me that the concert with Lena was the best show they’d ever seen in their lives.

During rehearsals, we saw our managers talking in the wings. “I know what they’re saying,” Lena said. “They’re going to tell us to walk offstage in different directions, so it won’t seem as if we’re leaving together.” And sure enough, that’s what they told us to do. We could perform together, but we couldn’t appear to be friends or to be hanging out.

Here’s their medley of Harold Arlen songs, from their appearance on the Judy Garland show.

LENA HORNE and TONY BENNETT sing a HAROLD ARLEN medley

From the 70’s.

Lena Horne, Sultry Singer and Actress, Dies at 92

But when MGM made “Show Boat” into a movie for the second time, in 1951, the role of Julie was given to a white actress, Ava Gardner, whose singing voice was dubbed. (Ms. Horne was no longer under contract to MGM at the time, and according to James Gavin’s Horne biography, “Stormy Weather,” published last year, she was never seriously considered for the part.)

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The Tony Bennett Quartet

I can’t say enough about what a fine group of musicians comprise this quartet. They are all supremely talented, both as individuals and as a close, tight-knit group.

They will be performing at a local jazz club in Methuen, Massachusetts on April 10, along with singer Donna Byrne. I wish I could be there. If you live in the greater Boston area, you might want to head to Methuen on the 10th.

Tony Bennett Quartet (sans Tony) bound for Jocko’s Jazz in Methuen

It’s a rare bird. A first. The Tony Bennett Quartet will play a show without Bennett. On April 10 in Methuen, they’ll take the cabaret stage at Jocko’s Jazz, a Tuesday night staple for more than a decade at The Sahara Club and Restaurant.

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Constant Craving

Today’s New York Times had a lovely interview with k.d. lang, who is currently touring with the re-release of Ingenue on its 25th anniversary. This was the album where she showed us all what a versatile singer she is.

K.D. Lang Doesn’t Have to Indulge Your Constant Cravings

The album, which she wrote with Ben Mink, then her collaborator, was specifically made, as Mr. Mink pointed out recently, to be timeless, with nods to George Gershwin and Kurt Weill, European klezmer music and a dash of contemporary “MOR” (middle of the road) pop.

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