The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: My Funny Valentine

The song of the day for Monday, February 26, 2024, is “My Funny Valentine.”

About This Song

“My Funny Valentine” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes in Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. This ballad is one of the most-loved songs in the American songbook and has been sung by most jazz and cabaret artists. In addition to Tony Bennett’s excellent recordings of this song, others include those by Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Funny Valentine” sixty years ago today on February 26, 1964, for his album A Time For Love. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and with the rest of his trio (Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums) accompanied Bennett for this recording.

“My Funny Valentine,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Love For Sale

The song of the day for Saturday, February 3, 2024, is “Love For Sale.”

About This Song

“Love For Sale” was written by Cole Porter in 1930 for the Broadway musical The New Yorkers, sung by a prostitute advertising her services. The song was considered rather scandalous at the time. In fact, for the production of The New Yorkers, it was supposed to be sung by the white star Kathryn Crawford, but the song was assigned to an African-American singer instead. Despite being banned from playing on the radio, “Love For Sale” has had many fine recordings, including those by Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Love For Sale” on October 24, 1957, for his second jazz album, The Beat of My Heart, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. Bennett invited percussionists to play on the album; for this song he used Candico, Sabu, and his regular drummer, Billy Exiner.

” Love For Sale,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Autumn Leaves

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 8, 2023, is “Autumn Leaves.”

About This Song

“Autumn Leaves” was composed in 1945 by Joseph Kosma, with French lyrics by Jacques Prévert. Johnny Mercer wrote English lyrics in 1947. Known as “Les feuilles mortes” (The Dead Leaves) in the original French, the English song is known as “Autumn Leaves.” Mercer wrote the lyrics in 1947 and Jo Stafford was the first artist to record the song with the English lyrics. Other notable recordings include those by Edith Piaf and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Autumn Leaves” on October 14, 1964, for his album Who Can I Turn To. George Siravo wrote the arrangement. The recording features The Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Bill Exiner on drums).

“Autumn Leaves,” as well as the album Who Can I Turn To, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Small World

The song of the day for Monday, August 28, 2023, is “Small World.”

About Today

Fifty-five years ago, on August 28, 1962, Tony Bennett and Dave Brubeck performed in a concert honoring that year’s White House interns. The concert got so much attention that it had to moved from The White House Rose Garden to the Mall by the Washington Monument. Dave Brubeck, with his trio, performed first, followed by his trio, and ended up with an improv session with Brubeck, with Joe Morello (drums) and Eugene Wright (bass) from Brubeck’s trio.

Today we’re featuring a song from Bennett’s set, with The Ralph Trio (Sharon on drums, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums). William B. Williams, a DJ on New York’s WNEW introduced Tony Bennett and his trio:

About This Song

“Small World” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, in 1959 for the Broadway musical Gypsy. “Small World” is sung by Rose and Herbie, who has the misfortune to fall in love with Rose. Gypsy is arguably the best musical ever written and has been revived many times on Broadway.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Small World” on August 28, 1962, released on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962.

The recording of the concert was long thought lost. Thankfully, it was found in the Columbia/Sony Records archive in the Classical section and finally released on May 28, 2013.

“Small World,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962
 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Oh! You Crazy Moon

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 5, 2023, is “Oh! You Crazy Moon.”

About This Song

“Oh! You Crazy Moon” was written in 1939 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was the first song that Van Heusen and Burke wrote together in what would be a long and successful partnership. The bouncy, uptempo song gained immediate popularity and was widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Oh! You Crazy Moon” on February 6, 1964, for his album When Lights Are Low. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon and features the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

“Oh! You Crazy Moon,” as well as When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.

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