The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Monday, May 19, 2025, is “Day Dream.”

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written by Billy Strayhorn with lyrics by John LaTouche, in 1941 (though Duke Ellington was also listed as the co-composer on the first recording of the song,  it is widely accepted to be written by Strayhorn). 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” on May 25, 1964. “Day Dream” is one of five song Bennett recorded with Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums). I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks a Tony Bennett album with these musicians would have been extraordinary. They were released on the Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 disc included in the Tony Bennett Complete Collection box set released in 2011.

“Day Dream,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1941 recording of “Day Dream,” with Strayhorn and Johnny Hodges.

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Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Friday, November 29, 2024, is “Day Dream.”

About Today

We remember Billy Strayhorn, born on November 29, 1915. Strayhorn was an American jazz composer, pianist, lyricist, and arranger who collaborated with bandleader and composer Duke Ellington for nearly three decades. His compositions include “Take the ‘A’ Train,” “Chelsea Bridge,” and “Lush Life”.

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written 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 May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

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

Here’s the 1941 recording of “Day Dream” with Johnny Hodges and Billy Strayhorn:

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Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Thursday, August 22, 2024, is “Day Dream.”

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written in 1941 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 LaTouche. The first recording was in 1941 and featured Johnny Hodges on saxophone and Billy Strayhorn on piano. Other notable recordings include this recording 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, released in 1999 for the centennial celebration of Duke Ellington’s birth. The song was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

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

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

Here’s the original recording with Johnny Hodges and Billy Strayhorn on piano:

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Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Saturday, April 13, 2024, is “Day Dream.”

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written in 1941 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” on May 24, 1964, with Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums). The group made several recordings, which were included in Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, released in the 2011 Tony Bennett Complete Collection.

“Day Dream,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Take The A Train

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 30, 2023, is “Take The A Train.”

About Today

Today we are honoring Billy Strayhorn, who was born on November 29, 1915. Born in Ohio, he grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He studied classical music at the Pittsburgh Musical Institute and wrote “Lush Life” during that time. In 1938, he met Duke Ellington, who invited Strayhorn to visit him at his home in the Sugar Hill neighborhood in New York. Ellington wrote down instructions on how to get to his home after arriving in New York, starting with “take the A train.” Strayhorn worked with Ellington for 25 years, until Strayhorn’s death from cancer.

About This Song

“Take The A Train” was written by Billy Strayhorn in 1939, with lyrics by Joya Sherrill (which were added in 1944). It became Ellington’s signature tune and was played at virtually every concert he gave.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Take The A Train” on May 20, 1999, and features the Ralph Sharon Quartet, with Paul Langosch (bass), Gray Sargent (guitar) Clayton Cameron (drums) Also featured are Al Grey on trombone and Wynton Marsalis on trumpet. It was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns. This recording was an unreleased outtake from Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. It was included in Rarities, Outtakes and Other Delights, Vol. 2, in the 2011 Complete Collection box set.

“Take The A Train,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes and Other Delights, Vol. 2, is available on Apple Music.

I’m adding Lady Gaga’s solo recording of “Lush Life, from her album with Tony Cheek to Cheek, released in 2014.

A Note to Readers

I will likely be posting intermittently for a while. I won’t be able to see well for a while (cataract surgery, no big deal) which makes it difficult to post. No fear, The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas will start on December 14, as usual. Thank you all for your support of The Year of Tony Bennett.