The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Mood Indigo

The song of the day for Saturday, May 1, 2021, is “Mood Indigo.”

About This Song

Originally titled “Dreamy Blues,” Duke Ellington wrote this song in 1930, which is based on a theme by Barney Bigard, who is said to have learned it from his New Orleans clarinet teacher, Lorenzo Tio. Ellington wrote the song specifically for “microphone transmission” and it was first played on a 1930 radio broadcast. Audiences loved the song, and so Irving Mills wrote the lyric, changing the name of the song to “Mood Indigo.” The song has been widely recorded by instrumental and vocal artists, including Tony Bennett, Charles Mingus, Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Mood Indigo” in 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. The arrangement by Jorge Calandrelli features Wynton Marsalis on trumpet and Al Grey on trombone.

We hope you have enjoyed Duke Ellington Week on The Year of Tony Bennett. To quote Duke: “We love you madly!”

Mood Indigo

Tony Bennett · Bennett Sings Ellington / Hot And Cool · Song · 1999

“Mood Indigo,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me

The song of the day for Friday, April 30, 2021, is “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me.”

About This Song

“Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” was written by Duke Ellington, with lyrics from Bob Russell, in 1940. As with most Ellington songs, the tune was written first and the lyrics added later. Also, as with most Ellington songs, it became a favorite song of both instrumental and vocal musicians. Ellington recorded the song in 1944 and it was a hit on both the R&B and Popular charts. Other recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis, Jr., Anita O’Day, and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded ” Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” in 1999 from Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Do Nothin" Till You Hear From Me

Listen to Do Nothin" Till You Hear From Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1999

“Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s 1944 recording of “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me.”

Do Nothin" "Til You Hear from Me

Listen to Do Nothin" "Til You Hear from Me on Spotify. Song · Duke Ellington · 2018

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Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 28, 2021, is “Day Dream.”

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written 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 this version of “Day Dream” in 1964 with Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sex), Ron Carter (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums).

Day Dream

Tony Bennett · Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 · Song · 2012

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

Here’s the original 1941 recording with Johnny Hodges and Strayhorn on piano:

Day Dream

Johnny Hodges, Billy Strayhorn · Johnny Hodges With Billy Strayhorn And The Orchestra · Song · 1961

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Song of the Day: Solitude

As we continue with Duke Ellington Week, the song of the day for Monday, April 26, 2021, is “Solitude.”

About This Song

“Solitude” was written by Duke Ellington in 1934; the lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills were added later. One of his masterpieces, Ellington is said to have written “Solitude” in twenty minutes at the recording session, as they were one number short. per Ted Gioia in Jazz Standards. It’s a very strong song for both vocalists and instrumentalists. Ellington made over a hundred recordings of this song. Other great recordings include those by Paul Robeson, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Billy Eckstine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Solitude,” his first, in 1958 for his second album with The Count Basie Orchestra, In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Solitude

Listen to Solitude on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1959

“Solitude,” as well as In Person!, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s 1934 recording of today’s song:

Solitude

Duke Ellington · In a Sentimental Mood · Song · 2018

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Song of the Day: I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart

The song of the day for Sunday, April 25, 2021, is “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart.”

About This Week

This week we are celebrating the life of Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington, who was born in Washington. D.C., on April 29, 1899. He was one of America’s great composers, bandleaders, and pianists. Tony Bennett had a close friendship with Duke Ellington and recorded many of his songs, starting with today’s song “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart.” We’ll also be including, when possible, recordings of Ellington’s orchestras playing the songs of the day.

About This Song

Duke Ellington wrote “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart” in 1938, with lyrics by Irving Mills, Henry Nemo, and John Redmond. It was a major hit for Ellington, reaching #1 on the charts. In addition to his own recording that year, other recordings by Benny Goodman and Mildred Bailey were made that year and were extremely popular as well. In 1952 Ellington named this song as one of his eleven favorites.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart” in 1967 for his album Tony Makes It Happen! It was arranged by Marion Evans, marking the first time they worked together.

I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart

Listen to I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967

“I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s original instrumental recording from 1938:

I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart

Listen to I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart on Spotify. Song · Duke Ellington · 2007