The song of the day for Sunday, November 29, 2020, is “Day Dream.”
About Today
Composer, pianist, and collaborator with Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn was born on November 15, 1915, in Dayton, Ohio. Upon meeting Elligton backstage after the concert, Ellington invited the young man to come and visit him in Harlem to discuss his future. Strayhorn, using the instructions given to him by Ellington as lyrics, wrote the song Take the A Train. Other notable songs by Strayhorn include Lush Life and Chelsea Bridge. Billy Strayhorn died in 1967 esophageal cancer. After his death, Ellington recorded album in tribute to him: And His Mother Called Him Bill. This exquisite remembrance included song composed by Strayhorn while he was in the hospital and a touching piano solo of Lush Life, played by Ellington while the band was packing up.
About This Song
“Day Dream” was written in 1941 by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, 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 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool.
“Day Dream,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from Apple Music.