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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

September 15, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 16, 2020, is “That Old Black Magic.”

About This Song

One of the great songs by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, “That Old Black Magic” was written in 1942 and first recorded by Glenn Miller. It was used in the 1942 movie Star Spangled Rhythm. It’s been recorded many times and used in several films, including the 1956 film Bus Stop, where it was sung by Marilyn Monroe.

About This Version

In 1962, at the invitation of President John F. Kennedy, Tony Bennett and the Dave Brubeck Quartet performed for the outgoing class of Presidential Scholars. After each had done their own set, Bennett returned with The Dave Brubeck Trio (minus Paul Desmond on alto sax) to do a series of completely unrehearsed improvs. This recording was one of them (and is also my favorite). In addition to Brubeck on piano, Joe Morello (drums) and Eugene Wright (bass) filled out the trio. The tape of the concert was long thought lost, but was rediscovered in 2012 and released as Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 in 2013.

“That Old Black Magic,” as well as Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from Apple Music.

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Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962, Dave Brubeck, Eugene Wright, Joe Morello, Tony Bennett

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