The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Shakin’ the Blues Away

The song of the day for Friday, March 20, 2026, is “Shaking the Blues Away.”

About This Song

“Shakin’ the Blues Away” was written by Irving Berlin for The Zeigfeld Follies of 1927. It was introduced by Ruth Etting, who was making her first appearance in the Follies. Berlin pulled it out of the trunk for 1948 film Easter Parade, where it was a dance number for Ann Miller.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Shakin’ the Blues Away” in May 1987 for Bennett/Berlin.

“Shaking the Blues Away,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available on Apple Music.

Dear Mr. Bennett

The John Pizzarelli Trio (Pizzarelli on guitar and vocals, Michael Karn on bass, and Isaiah J. Thompson on piano) recorded “Shakin’ the Blues AWay” for Dear Mr. Bennett, released in March 2026.

Dear Mr. Bennett

The John Pizzarelli Trio (Pizzarelli on guitar and vocals, Michael Karn on bass, and Isaiah J. Thompson on piano) recorded “Shakin’ the Blues Away” for Dear Mr. Bennett, released in March 2026.

Dear Mr. Bennett is available for purchase on CD and vinyl at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tower Records, and other record stores. It is also available on most popular streaming services.

We’ve got Ann Miller singing and dancing “Shakin’ the Blues Away” from the 1948 film Easter Parade. Or tapping the blues away …

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Song of the Day: From This Moment On

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 26, 2021, is “From This Moment On.”

About This Song

Cole Porter originally wrote this song for his musical Out Of This World, but it was dropped from the show. It was used instead in Kiss Me Kate. For the film version of Kiss Me Kate, It was the basis for a fantastic dance choreographed (and danced) by a young Bob Fosse, featuring Ann Miller. Doris Day recorded this song as a single in 1950; the Frank Sinatra 1957 recording for A Swingin’ Affair! was instrumental in the popularity of this song. It has also been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, and Susannah McCorkle.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “From This Moment On” at his stage show at the grand opening of The Sahara hotel in Las Vegas. The performance was captured for the album Live at The Sahara — Las Vegas 1964.

From This Moment On - Live at the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, NV - April 1964

Listen to From This Moment On - Live at the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, NV - April 1964 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964

“From This Moment On,” as well as Live at The Sahara – Las Vegas 1964, is available from Apple Music.

Thanks to YouTube, we’re happy to include that trademark Bob Fosse dance.

From This Moment On

Ann Miller, Tommy Rall, Jeanne Coyne, Bobby Van, Carol Haney and Bob Fosse dancing to From This Moment On from Kiss Me Kate

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Song of the Day: The Cole Porter Medley

The song of the day for Thursday, June 9, 2016 is “The Cole Porter Medley.”

About This Song

This masterful medley of Cole Porter songs covers the full arc of Porter’s songs. For information about each of the songs in the medley, including lyrics, see The Cole Porter Medley entry in our companion discography.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded the Cole Porter Medley in 1975 for his Improv album Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful. The wonderful arrangement is by Torrie Zito.

Cole Porter Medley

Listen to Cole Porter Medley on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“The Cole Porter Medley,” as well as all of the songs released on Bennett’s own Improv label, is available from iTunes on The Complete Improv Recordings.

About Today

Today marks the 125th anniversary of Cole Porter, born on June 9, 1891 in Peru, Indiana.

Here are a few Cole Porter birthday presents!

A nice NPR story called Get To Know: The Cole Porter Songbook, with links to recordings.

A pretty nice film biography of Cole Porter called De-Lovely, starring Kevin Kline as Porter and Ashley Judd as his wife Linda, came out in 2004. Here are a few clips to whet your interest.

This clip of “Night and Day” features Kevin Kline and John Barrowman in rehearsal with a segue to the performance:

And “So In Love” featuring Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd (whose character is in the process of dying from lung cancer and knows she won’t live long enough to see the premiere and asks her husband to play the score for her)–and another segue. By the way, Kline is an accomplished pianist and played the piano in real-time while filming! No fake cut-aways to someone else’s hands!

I hear that the recent wave we had here in Portland is heading for the rest of country. So I offer up a favorite Cole Porter song from Kiss Me Kate.

In closing, stay cool and enjoy some great Cole Porter music today.

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Song of the Day: It Only Happens When I Dance With You

The song of the day for Thursday, May 21, 2015 is “It Only Happens When I Dance With You.”

About This Song

“It Only Happens When I Dance With You” is one of the many fine songs that Irving Berlin wrote for the 1948 film Easter Parade, which starred Fred Astaire and Judy Garland.

About This Version

After a series of uptempo songs, “It Only Happens When I Dance With You” is a lovely ballad, sung with great tenderness. It’s a very nice Irving Berlin song: no artifice, just genuine emotion.

It Only Happens When I Dance with You

Listen to It Only Happens When I Dance with You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993


“It Only Happens When I Dance With You,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

I have two videos of today’s song, both from Easter Parade. The first is Fred Astaire singing the today’s song and dancing with Ann Miller.

Ann Miller leaves him for greener pastures and Fred Astaire seeks out a new partner, Judy Garland, who sings this song for Astaire (after falling in love with him first).