The song of the day for Wednesday, November 29, 2017 is “Day Dream.”

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written in 1941 by Billy Strayhorn, with lyrics by John LaTouche. The first recording was in 1941 and featured Johnny Hodges on saxophone and 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 this version of “Day Dream” in 1999 for the album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool.

“Day Dream,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is happy to honor the great Billy Strayhorn, who was born on November 29, 1915 in Dayton, Ohio. He studied at the Pittsburgh Music Institute. It was during that period that he composed one of his most notable songs: “Lush Life.” In 1938, Strayhorn was introduced to Duke Ellington, who was impressed with the young man. He gave him directions to his home in Harlem and invited Strayhorn to New York. Strayhorn wrote a song to those directions–the result was “Take The A Train.” They worked together closely up to Strayhorn’s death from cancer in 1967. A few months later, Ellington recorded the studio album … And His Mother Called Him Bill, featuring songs written by his good friend. A favorite of mine from that album is Ellington’s solo of “Lotus Blossom,” which also features Harry Carney on baritone sax.

The album also includes one of Strayhorn’s last songs, “Blood Count,” which features his good friend Johnny Hodges on tenor sax. It’s an exquisite recording.