The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 28, 2015 is “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”

About This Song

Today’s song, “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” was written in 1931 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Mills. This song was one of the first songs to use the word “swing” in the title and this song certainly defined what it meant to swing. Ellington recorded the song with Ivie Anderson on vocals and it was an immediate hit. It has been widely recorded since it was written and the song is a lot of fun to play and to listen to. Significant recordings include those by Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, Gigi Gryce, Tony Bennett and Thelonious Monk.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” in May 1999 for his centennial tribute album to Duke Ellington, Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. The arrangement is by Ralph Burns and features the Ralph Sharon Quartet.

It Don"t Mean A Thing (If It Ain"t Got That Swing)

Listen to It Don"t Mean A Thing (If It Ain"t Got That Swing) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1999


“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 25, 2016 is “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me.”

About This Song

“Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” was written in 1940 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Bob Russell. As with many Ellington songs, the tune was written first and the lyrics added later. Also, as with most Ellington songs, it became a favorite song of both instrumental and vocal musicians. Ellington recorded the song in 1944 and it was a hit on both the R&B and Popular charts. Other recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis, Jr., Anita O’Day and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song for his tribute album to Duke Ellington: Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. The album was released in 1999, in the centennial year of Ellington’s birth. Today’s song was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli; the album was produced by Tony Bennett and Danny Bennett.

About Today

Ellington-portrait

This afternoon at the office, I was listening to an Ellington playlist on the new Apple Music service (which I am enjoying quite a bit). In the introduction to their playlist, he was introduced as:

Quite possibly the coolest, most elegant man that ever lived, Edward Kennedy Ellington ranks with Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis, as one of the most influential artists in the history of jazz.

I can’t disagree with that. And after listening to Ellington most of the afternoon, choosing one of his songs as the song of the day came easy.

Today, I would like to honor my late father, Thomas Chiles, who would have been 89 years old today. Dad, I think of you often and miss you every day.

Do Nothin" Till You Hear From Me

Listen to Do Nothin" Till You Hear From Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1999


“Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Sophisticated Lady

The song of the day for Friday, February 6, 2015 is “Sophisticated Lady.”

About This Song

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Duke Ellington wrote “Sophisticated Lady” in 1932 as an instrumental. Lyrics were added later by Mitchell Parish and Irving Mills. 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

Today’s version is from Tony Bennett’s wonderful Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, released in 1999, the centennial year of Ellington’s birth. It’s a lovely, quiet arrangement that features Gray Sargent on guitar and Joel Smirnoff on violin.

About Today

Today’s song was a request from a good friend of the blog. We’re always happy to honor your request for an upcoming song of the day. Just leave a comment and we’ll be happy to oblige.

Sophisticated Lady

Tony Bennett · Bennett Sings Ellington / Hot And Cool · Song · 1999


“Sophisticated Lady,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Sophisticated Lady

The song of the day for Monday, December 29, 2014 is “Sophisticated Lady.”

About This Song

Duke Ellington wrote “Sophisticated Lady” in 1932 as an instrumental. Lyrics were added later by 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,’ said Ellington. “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

Today’s version is Bennett’s third studio recording of “Sophisticated Lady,” the first two were included on Alone Together and Tony Bennett’s Greatest Hits Volume 7. A fourth version was just released on his album with Lady Gaga, Cheek To Cheek. This version is from his 1999 album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, released in the centennial year of Ellington’s birth. This beautiful arrangement features Gray Sargent on guitar and Joel Smirnoff on violin.

Sophisticated Lady

Tony Bennett · Bennett Sings Ellington / Hot And Cool · Song · 1999


“Sophisticated Lady,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Mood Indigo

The song of the day for Friday, December 19, 2014 is “Mood Indigo.”

About This Song

Originally titled “Dreamy Blues,” Ellington wrote this song in 1930. It is based on a theme by Barney Bigard, who is said to have learned it from his New Orleans clarinet teacher, Lorenzo Tio. Ellington wrote the song specifically for “microphone transmission” and it was first played on a 1930 radio broadcast. Audiences loved the song, and so Irving Mills wrote the lyric, changing the name of the song to “Mood Indigo.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Mood Indigo” in 1999 for his tribute album to Duke Ellington, Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, which was released in the centennial year of Ellington’s birth.

Mood Indigo

Tony Bennett · Bennett Sings Ellington / Hot And Cool · Song · 1999


“Mood Indigo,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from iTunes.

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