The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: A Child Is Born

The song of the day for Sunday, December 25, 2022, the 12th day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “A Child Is Born.”

About This Song

“A Child Is Born” was written in 1969 by Thad Jones, with lyrics by Alec Wilder. Thad Jones, whose younger brother, Elvin, was a noted jazz drummer. Thad Jones was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra starting in 1954. He left the orchestra in 1963 to pursue a career as an arranger and studio trumpet player and later moved to Denmark. “A Child Is Born” is his best-known composition; the wonderful lyrics are by Alec Wilder.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “A Child Is Born” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977 on Bennett’s Improv Label.

“A Child Is Born,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: While We’re Young

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 16, 2022, is “While We’re Young.”

About This Song

“While We’re Young” was written by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz, with lyrics by William Engvick, in 1944. It was first recorded in 1944 by the Fred Waring Singers and again in 1949 by Meredith Willson (who wrote The Music Man) and his Orchestra. Peggy Lee also recorded the song in 1949, but not to Wilder’s liking. Marion McPartland quotes Wilder as telling Miss Lee ‘The next time you come to the bridge (of the song), jump off!’ “While We’re Young” remains popular in the American songbook, having been recently recorded by Jane Monheit and Ben Sidron.

About This Version

In May 1977, Tony Bennett, with his trio, and Marian McPartland and her band (including Jimmy McPartland on cornet) played at the Statler Hilton in Buffalo, NY. In addition to singing, Bennett acted as emcee. The gig was released on Tony Bennett, The McPartlands and Friends Make Magnificent Music. It’s a nice mix of vocals and the instrumentals with Marian McPartland are really a joy.

“While We’re Young,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: While We’re Young

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 25, 2022, is “While We’re Young.”

About This Song

“While We’re Young” was written in 1944 by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz, with lyrics by William Engvick. The song was first recorded in 1944 by the Fred Waring Singers and again in 1949 by Meredith Willson (who wrote The Music Man) and his Orchestra. Peggy Lee also recorded the song in 1949, but not to Wilder’s liking. Marion McPartland quotes Wilder as telling Miss Lee ‘The next time you come to the bridge (of the song), jump off!’ “While We’re Young” remains popular in the American songbook, having been recently recorded by Jane Monheit and Ben Sidron.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “While We’re Young” on May 31, 1951. Percy Faith wrote the arrangement.

“While We’re Young,” as well as all of the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: A Child Is Born

The song of the day for Saturday, December 25, 2021, the twelfth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “A Child Is Born.”

About This Song

“A Child Is Born” was written in 1969 by Thad Jones, who played trumpet with The Count Basie Orchestra, and Alec Wilder. Jones, whose younger brother, Elvin, was a noted jazz drummer. He left the orchestra in 1963 to pursue a career as an arranger and studio trumpet player and later moved to Denmark. “A Child Is Born” is his best-known composition; the wonderful lyrics are by Alec Wilder.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “A Child Is Born” in 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1968.

“A Child Is Born,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: A Child Is Born

On Christmas Day, the 12th day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, the song of the day for Friday, December 25, 2020, is “A Child Is Born.”

About This Song

“A Child Is Born” was written by Thad Jones, whose younger brother, Elvin, was a noted jazz drummer. Thad Jones was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra starting in 1954. He left the orchestra in 1963 to pursue a career as an arranger and studio trumpet player and later moved to Denmark. “A Child Is Born” is his best-known composition; the wonderful lyrics are by Alec Wilder.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “A Child Is Born” in 1976 for their second album: Together Again, released in 1977.

A Child Is Born

Listen to A Child Is Born on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1977.

“A Child Is Born,” as well as Together Again, is available from Apple Music.

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