The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: In a Sentimental Mood

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 13, 2026, is “In a Sentimental Mood.”

About This Song

“In a Sentimental Mood” was composed in 1935 by Duke Ellington; the lyrics by Manny Kurtz and Irving Mills were added later. The original 1935 Ellington recording features Otto Hardwick on alto sax; Benny Goodman recorded it that same year. Though the song has always been popular and is widely recorded, the 1962 recording with Ellington and John Coltrane is considered to be one of the most notable instrumental recordings.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In a Sentimental Mood” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement. The album was released in 1999 to coincide with Duke Ellington’s centenary celebration.

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

“In a Sentimental Mood,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got “In a Sentimental Mood” from the 1963 album Duke Ellington & John Coltrane. It’s an extraordinary recording.

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Song of the Day: Azure

The song of the day for is “Azure.”

About This Song

“Azure” was written in 1937 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Mills. In his liner notes for Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennett writes of “Azure” that “the composition of this song is the absolute pinnacle of inventiveness and originality as it relates to the art of music composition.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Azure” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

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

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Song of the Day: Prelude to a Kiss

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 3, 2025, is “Prelude to a Kiss.”

About This Song

“Prelude to a Kiss” was written in 1938 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Gordon and Irving Mills.

In The Jazz Standards, Ted Gioia writes that in the late 1930s, having practically invented swing music:

At this juncture he does the exact opposite. The Duke uses his fame and great artistic freedom to become more ambitious, more experimental, less beholden to the formulas of swing music. “Prelude To A Kiss” from 1938 is a case in point.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Prelude to a Kiss” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Prelude to a Kiss,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

We have Ellington’s original recording of “Prelude to a Kiss” from 1938:

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Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Saturday, November 29, 2025, is “Day Dream.”

About Today

We are honoring Billy Strayhorn on the anniversary of his birth on November 29, 1915, in Dayton, Ohio; the family moved to Pittsburgh soon after his birth. He was a serious piano student who originally studied classical music but switched to jazz in his late teens. One of his most well-known songs is “Lush Life,” was written when Strayhorn was a teenager. You can learn more about Billy Strayhorn at billystrayhorn.com.

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written in 1939 by Billy Strayhorn with lyrics by John LaTouche. The song was widely recorded, including a 1940 recording by Johnny Hodges. Other significant recordings include those by Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Chet Baker.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Day Dream” on May 25, 1964, accompanied by Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums).

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

We’ve got the 1962 recording of “Day Dream” by Strayhorn and Johnny Hodges:

Billy Strayhorn died from esophageal cancer in 1967. He continued to compose while hospitalized, including his final composition “Blood Count.” Soon after his death, Duke Ellington recorded a memorial album to his friend and colleague, And His Mother Called Him Bill. During the recording of that album, while everyone was taking a break, Ellington began to play Strayhorn’s song “Lotus Blossom,” which the engineer decided to record thankfully.

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Song of the Day: I’m Just a Lucky So and So

The song of the day for Monday, November 176 2025, is “I’m Just a Lucky So and So.”

About This Song

“I’m Just a Lucky So and So” was written in 1945 by Duke Ellington and Mack David. It’s been widely recorded by artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Diana Krall, Mose Allison, and Harry “Sweets” Edison with Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m Just a Lucky So and So” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

“I’m Just a Lucky So and So,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Duke Ellington, with Al Hibbler, recorded “I’m Just a Lucky So and So” on November 26, 1945.