The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Just Friends

The song of the day for Saturday, December 13, 2025, is “Just Friends.”

About This Song

“Just Friends” was written in 1931 by John Klenner and Sam M. Lewis. The song has long been a popular jazz standard, including vocal versions by Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Parker, and Chet Baker. The song, both the music as well as the lyrics, seem more modern than most songs written in the early 1930s.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Just Friends” on October 15, 1964, with a remarkable quartet: Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums).

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

By Leave a Comment

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.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Have You Met Miss Jones?

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 26, 2025, is “Have You Met Miss Jones?”.

About This Song

“Have You Met Miss Jones?” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1937 musical I’d Rather Be Right. It’s one of their sweetest and most charming love songs, as the young man who is introduced to Miss Jones and falls in love immediately. In addition to Bennett’s recording, other significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Have You Met Miss Jones?” on October 15, 1964, with a terrific jazz quartet: Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass) and Elvin Jones (drums). This recording was released on several compilation albums. It’s currently available on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, originally available as part of the Complete Collection box set and online with music streaming services.

“Have You Met Miss Jones?” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Monday, May 19, 2025, is “Day Dream.”

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written by Billy Strayhorn with lyrics by John LaTouche, in 1941 (though Duke Ellington was also listed as the co-composer on the first recording of the song,  it is widely accepted to be written by Strayhorn). 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 “Day Dream” on May 25, 1964. “Day Dream” is one of five song Bennett recorded with Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums). I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks a Tony Bennett album with these musicians would have been extraordinary. They were released on the Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 disc included in the Tony Bennett Complete Collection box set released in 2011.

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

Here’s the 1941 recording of “Day Dream,” with Strayhorn and Johnny Hodges.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Out of This World

The song of the day for Friday, April 4, 2025, is “Out of This World.”

About This Song

“Out of This World” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1945 movie of the same name. Out Of This World starred Eddie Bracken; however Bing Crosby dubbed the vocals for Bracken and introduced the song. Alec Wilder was a fan of “Out of This World”, praising its ethereal quality and the excellent lyrics by Mercer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Out of This World” on October 15, 1964, with an outstanding jazz quartet: Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass) and Elvin Jones (drums).

“Out of This World,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.