The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Mood Indigo

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 27, 2024, is “Mood Indigo.”

About This Song

“Mood Indigo” was written in 1930 by Duke Ellington with lyrics by Irving Mills. Originally titled “Dreamy Blues,” Ellington wrote this song 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, so Irving Mills wrote the lyrics, changing the song’s name to “Mood Indigo.” The song has been widely recorded by instrumental and vocal artists, including Tony Bennett, Charles Mingus, Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Mood Indigo” in May 1999 for his tribute album to Duke Ellington: Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. The album, released on September 28, 1999, coincided with what would have been Ellington’s centennial birthday year in 1999.

Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Mood Indigo,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s 1930 recording of “Mood Indigo.”

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Song of the Day: Sophisticated Lady

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 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.” “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 recorded this version of “Sophisticated Lady” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. The album was released to coincide with the 100-year anniversary of Ellington’s birth. The song was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli. Joel Smirnoff played the violin solo for this recording.

Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Sophisticated Lady,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Friday, September 15, 2023, is “Day Dream.”

About This Song

“Day Dream” was credited as written by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, with lyrics by John LaTouche. Acknowledged to have been written solely by Strayhorn, “Day Dream” is a lovely song with a strong Strayhorn touch, enhanced by the thoughtful lyrics by John LaTouche. The first recording was in 1941 and featured Johnny Hodges on saxophone and Billy Strayhorn on piano. Other notable recordings include this one by Tony Bennett, Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Day Dream” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. It features an arrangement by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Day Dream,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1941 recording, with Strayhorn on piano and Johnny Hodges on tenor sax from their album Johnny Hodges with Billy Strayhorn and the Orchestra. It’s really lovely.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Get Around Anymore

The song of the day for Saturday, September 2, 2023, is “Don’t Get Around Anymore.”

About This Song

“Don’t Get Around Anymore” was written in 1940 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Bob Russell. Originally written as an instrumental, Ellington named the song “Never No Lament.” Bob Russell’s lyrics came in 1942 and the song’s title was changed to the current “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.” The somewhat sad lyric of the jilted lover who would just rather stay home bumps up against the very cheerful tune.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Get Around Anymore” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Ralph Burns wrote the very fine arrangement and conducted the big band.

Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance.

“Don’t Get Around Anymore,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

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In A Sentimental Mood

The song of the day for Friday, August 11, 2023, is “In A Sentimental Mood.”

About This Song

“In A Sentimental Mood” was written by Duke Ellington in 1935; the lyrics by Manny Kurtz and Irving Mills were added later. The original 1935 Ellington recording features Otto Hardwick on alto sax; Benny Goodman recorded it that same year. Though the song has always been popular and is widely recorded, the 1962 recording with Ellington and John Coltrane is considered to be one of the most notable instrumental recordings.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In A Sentimental Mood” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

“In A Sentimental Mood,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the wonderful 1962 recording by Duke Ellington and Joan Coltrane: