The song of the day for Thursday, April 29, 2021, is “Sophisticated Lady.”
About Today
Today marks the 122nd anniversary of the birth of Duke Ellington, born in Washington D.C. on April 29, 1899. His music will never be forgotten and will never be outdated.
About This Song
“Sophisticated Lady” was written by Duke Ellington in 1932, with lyrics by Irving Mills and Mitchell Parish. Ellington is said to have been inspired to write this song by two of his grade school teachers, who toured Europe in the summers after teaching all year. “To me that spelled sophistication.” “Sophisticated Lady” was first recorded in 1933 on the flip side with Harold Arlen’s “Stormy Weather.” It is, of course, one of Ellington’s most popular and often-played songs. In addition to numerous recordings by Ellington over the years, the song has been recorded by Art Tatum, Anita O’Day, Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hodges, Sarah Vaughan, and Glenn Miller.
About This Version
Tony Bennett was recorded in 1999 for the album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.
“Sophisticated Lady,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from Apple Music.
Here’s Ellington’s 1932 instrumental recording.
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