The song of the day for Friday, August 8, 2025, is “In a Mellow Tone.”
About This Song
“In a Mellow Tone” was written by Duke Ellington and Milt Gabler in 1939. The tune was based on the 1917 song “Rose Room” by Art Hickman and Harry Williams. The song is a favorite of both vocal and instrumental jazz performers, including Tony Bennett, Paul Gonsalves, Oscar Peterson, Coleman Hawkins, Ella Fitzgerald, and Annie Ross. The first recording of “In a Mellow Tone” was in 1940 and featured solos by Jimmy Blanchet, Cootie Williams, and Johnny Hodges.
About This Version
Tony Bennett recorded “In a Mellow Tone” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.
Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.
“In a Mellow Tone,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.
Here’s that 1940 recording of “In a Mellow Tone.”
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