The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Some Other Time

The song of the day for Saturday, May 3, 2025, is “Some Other Time.”

About Today

We are celebrating Betty Comden, who co-wrote the lyrics for “Some Other Time” with Adolph Green. Betty Comden was born in Brooklyn, NY on May 3, 1917.

About This Song

“Some Other Time” was written by Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, for the 1944 Broadway musical On The Town, the story of three sailors on leave in New York City and their romantic adventures. This song is sung at the end by two of the couples. Inexplicably, this beautiful song was cut from the 1949 film version.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Some Other Time” in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album. The album was released in 1975 on the Fantasy Records label, where Bill Evans had a contract.

“Some Other Time,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

I’d like to include a version of “Some Other Time” from a 1960 studio recording of On The Town, conducted by Bernstein. It features two of the couples saying goodbye to each other, even though it’s unlikely they’ll meet again. Betty Comden sang for this recording — hers is the first voice in the recording.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Let a Song Go Out Of My Heart

The song of the day for Friday, May 2, 2025, is “I Let a Song Go Out Of My Heart.”

About This Song

“I Let a Song Go Out Of My Heart” was written in 1938 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Mills, Henry Nemo, and John Redmond. Tt was a major hit for Ellington, reaching #1 on the charts. In addition to his own recording in 1938, other recordings by Benny Goodman and Mildred Bailey were made that year and were extremely popular as well. In 1952 Ellington named this song as one of his eleven favorites of songs he had written.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Let a Song Go Out Of My Heart” on January 22, 1967, for Tony Makes It Happen! Marion Evans wrote the arrangement and conducted the band.

“I Let a Song Go Out Of My Heart,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen! is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s 1938 recording of “I Let a Song Go Out Of My Heart.”

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me

The song of the day for Thursday, May 1, 2025, is “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me.”

About This Song

“Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” was written by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Bob Russell. As with most Ellington songs, the tune was written first and the lyrics added later. Also, as with most Ellington songs, it became a favorite song of both instrumental and vocal musicians. Ellington recorded the song in 1944 and it was a hit on both the R&B and Popular charts. Other recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis, Jr., Anita O’Day, and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s today’s song played by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: In a Sentimental Mood

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 30, 2025, is “In a Sentimental Mood.”

About This Song

“In a Sentimental Mood” was written in 1935 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Manny Kurtz and Irving Mills added later. The original 1935 Ellington recording features Otto Hardwick on alto sax; Benny Goodman recorded it that same year. Though the song has always been popular and is widely recorded, the 1962 recording with Ellington and John Coltrane is considered to be one of the most notable instrumental recordings.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In a Sentimental Mood” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“In a Sentimental Mood,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s original 1935 recording.

And here’s the 1962 recording with Ellington and John Coltrane. It’s really extraordinary.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Mood Indigo

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 29, 2025, is “Mood Indigo.”

About Today

We are remembering Edward Kennedy Ellington on the anniversary of his birth in Washington, D.C. 126 years ago today on April 29, 1899. We’ll be playing songs by Duke Ellington for the next few days.

About This Song

“Mood Indigo” was written in 1930 by Duke Ellington; Irving Mills wrote the lyrics. The song is based on a theme by Barney Bigard, who is said to have learned it from his New Orleans clarinet teacher, Lorenzo Tio. Ellington wrote the song specifically for “microphone transmission” and it was first played on a 1930 radio broadcast. Audiences loved the song, and so Irving Mills wrote the lyric, changing the name of the song to “Mood Indigo.” The song has been widely recorded by instrumental and vocal artists, including Tony Bennett, Charles Mingus, Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

“Tony Bennett recorded “Mood Indigo” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot And Cool, which was released in 1999 for Ellington’s centennial. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement. Wynton Marsalis played trumpet for this recording.

Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot And Cool won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Mood Indigo,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot And Cool, is available on Apple Music.