Song of the Day: Azure

The song of the day for Thursday, April 21, 2016 is “Azure.”

About This Song

Duke Ellington wrote “Azure” in 1937; the lyrics by Irving Mills were added later. In his liner notes for Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennett writes of “Azure” that

The composition of this song is the absolute pinnacle of inventiveness and originality as it relates to the art of music composition.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Azure” in 1999 for his centenary tribute to Duke Ellington: Tony Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. The arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli. The very fine pianist is Ralph Sharon.

“Azure,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from iTunes.