The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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

The song of the day for Thursday, May 1, 2025, 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 by Bob Russell. 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 May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

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

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

Here’s today’s song played by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra.

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Song of the Day: In a Sentimental Mood

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 30, 2025, is “In a Sentimental Mood.”

About This Song

“In a Sentimental Mood” was written in 1935 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Manny Kurtz and Irving Mills 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.

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

Here’s Ellington’s original 1935 recording.

And here’s the 1962 recording with Ellington and John Coltrane. It’s really extraordinary.

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Song of the Day: Mood Indigo

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 29, 2025, is “Mood Indigo.”

About Today

We are remembering Edward Kennedy Ellington on the anniversary of his birth in Washington, D.C. 126 years ago today on April 29, 1899. We’ll be playing songs by Duke Ellington for the next few days.

About This Song

“Mood Indigo” was written in 1930 by Duke Ellington; Irving Mills wrote the lyrics. The song 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 May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot And Cool, which was released in 1999 for Ellington’s centennial. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement. Wynton Marsalis played trumpet for this recording.

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

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

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Song of the Day: Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

The song of the day for Sunday, April 6, 2025, is “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.”

About This Song

“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” was written by Duke Ellington as an instrumental in 1940 and named “Never No Lament.” Bob Russell’s lyrics came in 1942, and the song’s title was changed to the current “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.” The somewhat sad lyric of the jilted lover who would just rather stay home bumps up against the very cheerful tune.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” on January 27, 1967, for the album Tony Makes It Happen! Marion Evans wrote the arrangements and conducted the album.

“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” as well as , is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)

The song of the day for Friday, March 7, 2025, is “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”

About This Song

“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” was written in 1931 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics credited to Irving Mills. It was one of the first songs to use the word “swing” in the title, and this song certainly defined what it meant to swing. Ellington recorded the song with Ivie Anderson on vocals, and it was an immediate hit. It has been widely recorded since it was written, and the song is a lot of fun to play and to listen to. Significant recordings include those by Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, Gigi Gryce, Tony Bennett, and Thelonious Monk.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington Hot & Cool. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the band. The extended drum solo is by Clayton Cameron.

“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the original recording of “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” with Ivie Anderson singing with Ellington’s band.