The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Nice Work If You Can Get It

The song of the day for Saturday, November 30, 2024, is “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”

About This Song

“Nice Work If You Can Get It” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 movie A Damsel In Distress, starring Fred Astaire, who introduced the song. It has been widely recorded by artists including Astaire, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Love Is Here To Stay. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement. The Bill Charlap accompanied the album with Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums.

Love Is Here To Stay won the 61st Grammy Best Traditional Pop Album Award.

“Nice Work If You Can Get It,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available on Apple Music.

Here is Fred Astaire dancing to “Nice Work If You Can Get It” from A Damsel In Distress.

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Song of the Day: The Best is Yet to Come

The song of the day for Saturday, November 16, 2024, is “The Best is Yet to Come.”

About Today

We are celebrating the great Diana Krall on her birthday. She was born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada on November 16, 1964. She started learning piano at the age of four. In high school she played in the student jazz group while playing professionally in local restaurants. Krall studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. She recorded her first album in 1992. She collaborated with Tony Bennett on Duets: An American Classic and Duets II. In 2018, Krall and Bennett released Love Is Here To Stay, consisting of songs written by George Gershwin.

Happy Birthday to Diana Krall!

About This Song

“The Best is Yet to Come” was written in 1959 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Some say that “The Best is Yet to Come” was written for Tony Bennett. In any case, the song is strongly identified with him and he sang it at most of his concerts. Other recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “The Best is Yet to Come” on February 15, 2006, for Duets: An American Classic. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“The Best is Yet to Come,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Do It Again

The song of the day for September 26, 2024, is “Do It Again.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the birth of the great George Gershwin, born on September 26, 1989, in Brooklyn, NY. He See Gershwin.com to learn more about his work.

About This Song

“Do It Again” was written in 1922 by George Gershwin and Buddy DeSylva. Gershwin was in a meeting with his publisher, Max Dreyfus, when DeSylva walked in and said “Let’s write a hit!” Gershwin started composing on the spot. DeSylva listened for a few minutes and then sang “Oh, do it again.” Gershwin played the song at parties when it was heard by Irene Bordoni, who wanted to perform it in her show The French Doll. It’s been widely recorded, including a wonderful Judy Garland recording from her 1961 concert at Carnegie Hall, released on Judy at Carnegie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Do It Again” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. The Bill Charlap Trio backed the singers on this album and Charlap wrote the arrangement.

“Do It Again,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: ‘S Wonderful

The song of the day for Sunday, July 14. 2024, is “‘S Wonderful.”

About This Song

“‘S Wonderful” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1927 Broadway musical Funny Face, which starred Fred and Adele Astaire. The song was introduced by Adele Astaire and Allen Kearns. This song has been popular since it was written, with many fine recordings, including those by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O’Day, John Pizzarelli, Sarah Vaughan, and many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “‘S Wonderful” in 2018 for their album of Gershwin songs, Love Is Here To Stay. They were accompanied by The Bill Charlap Trio, with Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums.

Love Is Here To Stay won the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“‘S Wonderful,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve also a clip from The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon when Tony Bennett and Diana Krall appeared is 2018:

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Song of the Day: Alright, Okay, You Win

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 14, 2024, is “Alright, Okay, You Win.”

About This Song

“Alright, Okay, You Win” was written by Maymie Watts and Sid Wyche for The Count Basie Orchestra. It was first recorded in 1955 by the Basie Orchestra with their male vocalist, Joe Williams. In addition to the Bennett/Krall recording, this song has been recorded by Peggy Lee, Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bette Midler.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Alright, Okay, You Win” in May 2001 for the album Playin’ With My Friends. This recording marks the first time Diana Krall and Tony Bennett sang a duet together. The vocals were arranged by Rob Mathes.

Playin’ With My Friends won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“Alright, Okay, You Win,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available on Apple Music.