The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Saturday, January 4, 2020, is “That Old Black Magic.”

About This Song

One of the great songs by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, “That Old Black Magic” was written in 1942 and first recorded by Glenn Miller. It was also used in the 1942 movie Star Spangled Rhythm. It’s been recorded many times and used in several films, including the 1956 film Bus Stop, where it was sung by Marilyn Monroe.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, along with the Dave Brubeck Trio (Brubeck, piano; Eugene Wright, bass; Joe Morello, drums), recorded “That Old Black Magic” in an improv session after the rehearsed sets by both artists. I love the bet of this recording; Eugene Wright and Joe Morello do a great job backing the stars: Tony and Dave Brubeck. It’s a great recording!

The tape of concert was lost for years, misfiled in the classical vaults at Columbia. Luckily, the tapes were discovered and released on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 in 2013, not long after Dave Brubeck’s death.

“That Old Black Magic,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: There Will Never Be Another You

The song of the day for Friday, March 8, 2019, is “There Will Never Be Another You.”

About This Song

“There Will Never Be Another You” was written in 1942 by Harry Warren, with lyrics by Mack Gordon, for a Sonja Henie vehicle called Iceland, starring Miss Henie and John Payne as a U.S. Marine stationed in Iceland during World War II. The song was introduced in the movie by Joan Merrill. Amazingly, this beautiful song was not nominated for an Academy Award. No matter. The song has become a serious jazz standard and has had many fine recordings, including Bennett’s 1959 recording with Count Basie and his 1962 improvisation with Dave Brubeck at the White House Sessions. Other significant recordings include those by Lionel Hampton, Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Today’s version is the terrific improvisation of this tune at the 1962 White House Sessions with the Dave Brubeck Trio. In addition to Brubeck on piano, the trio features Joe Morello on drums and Eugene Wright on bass. The 2013 album Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 captures the sets for Bennett and Brubeck, as well as a nice improv session with both artists.

There Will Never Be Another You – Live

There Will Never Be Another You – Live, a song by Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck Trio on Spotify

“There Will Never Be Another You,” as well as Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: There Will Never Be Another You

The song of the day for Monday, December 31, 2018, is “There Will Never Be Another You.”

About This Song

“There Will Never Be Another You” was written in 1942 by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon. It’s ironic that one of Harry Warren’s most beautiful songs was written for a minor Sonja Henie vehicle called Iceland, starring Miss Henie and John Payne as a U.S. Marine stationed in Iceland during World War II. The song was introduced in the movie by Joan Merrill. Amazingly, this beautiful song was not nominated for an Academy Award. No matter. The song has become a serious jazz standard and has had many fine recordings, including Bennett’s 1959 recording with Count Basie and his 1962 improvisation with Dave Brubeck at the White House Sessions. Other significant recordings include those by Lionel Hampton, Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “There Will Never Be Another You” in 1962 with Dave Brubeck, Eugene Wright, and Joe Morello. After Bennett and Brubeck did their individual sets at this concert, they came back onstage for a few improvised numbers, including “There Will Never Be Another You.” Thankfully, all of this was taped. Alas, the tapes were thought to be long-lost. Soon after Dave Brubeck passed in 2012, the tapes were found in Columbia’s classical music section. Columbia released Bennett/Brubeck: The White House, Live 1962 in 2013.

There Will Never Be Another You – Live

There Will Never Be Another You – Live, a song by Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck Trio on Spotify

“There Will Never Be Another You,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Sunday, November 22, 2015 is “That Old Black Magic.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “That Old Black Magic,”was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer in 1942. It was first recorded by Glenn Miller in 1942; it was also used in the 1942 movie Star Spangled Rhythm. It’s been recorded many times and used in several films, including the 1956 film Bus Stop, where it was sung by Marilyn Monroe.

About This Version

Today’s version of “That Old Black Magic” is from the recently released Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962, the original tapes of which were only located soon after Brubeck’s death in 2012. Tony Bennett and The Dave Brubeck Trio were invited to perform at a summer concert honoring that year’s White House interns. The first part of the album is Dave Brubeck, followed by a set from Tony Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio. Finally, is a sweet improv session with Bennett and the Dave Brubeck Trio, with Eugene Wright on bass and Joe Morello on drums. “That Old Black Magic” is from that improv set.

That Old Black Magic (with The Dave Brubeck Trio) - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962

Listen to That Old Black Magic (with The Dave Brubeck Trio) - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2013.


“That Old Black Magic,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

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