The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: All Of Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 2, 2024, is “All Of Me.”

About This Song

“All Of Me” was written in 1931 by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons. Early recordings included those by Louis Armstrong, Mildred Bailey, and Ruth Etting. In his masterful book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia writes ‘The definitive version of “All Of Me” wouldn’t appear for another decade, but when Billie Holiday recorded the song, with tenor saxophonist Lester Young on hand, she staked a claim of ownership that no one has managed to dislodge in subsequent years.’

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All Of Me” in June 1996 for his album dedicated to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett on Holiday. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“All Of Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1941 recording of “All Of Me” by Billie Holiday and Lester Young:

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Song of the Day: All Of Me

The song of the day for Sunday, February 28, 2021, is “All Of Me.”

About This Song

“All Of Me” ws written in 1931 by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons. It’s the only song by Marks and Simons to become popular in the jazz repertoire. Early recordings included those by Louis Armstrong, Mildred Bailey and Ruth Etting. In his masterful book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia writes

The definitive version of “All Of Me” wouldn’t appear for another decade, but when Billie Holiday recorded the song, with tenor saxophonist Lester Young on hand, she staked a claim of ownership that no one has managed to dislodge in subsequent years.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All Of Me” in 1996 for Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1977. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Tony Bennett won the 1998 Grammy Award For Best Traditional Pop Performance for Tony Bennett On Holiday.

All Of Me

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday · Song · 1997

“All Of Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s “All Of Me,” recorded in 1941 by Billie Holiday with Eddie Heywood and His Orchestra. Lester Young has a sweet solo.

All of Me

Listen to All of Me on Spotify. Song · Billie Holiday · 1996

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Song of the Day: All Of Me

The song of the day for Friday, April 3, 2015 is “All Of Me.”

About This Song

“All Of Me” was written in 1931 by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons. It is the only song by Marks and Simons to become popular in the jazz repertoire. Early recordings included those by Louis Armstrong, Mildred Bailey and Ruth Etting. In his masterful book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia writes:

The definitive version of “All Of Me” wouldn’t appear for another decade, but when Billie Holiday recorded the song, with tenor saxophonist Lester Young on hand, she staked a claim of ownership that no one has managed to dislodge in subsequent years.

About This Version

Today’s song is the second song on Tony Bennet On Holiday, the album of the month for April 2015. It’s just Tony and Ralph Sharon — in fact, you can hear Tony calling out to Sharon during the song. It’s a nice, swinging version.

All Of Me

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday · Song · 1997

” All Of Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

About Billie Holiday’s Version

Here is the 1941 version (MX: 29990-2) that Gioia references. It was recorded on March 21, 1941 with Lester Young (tenor sax), Lester ‘Shad’ Collins (trumpet), Eddie Barefield (alto sax), Eddie Heywood (piano), John Collins (guitar), Kenny Clarke (drums), Leslie Johnakins (alto sax), Ted Sturgis (bass).

All of Me (with Eddie Heywood & His Orchestra) - Take 2

Listen to All of Me (with Eddie Heywood & His Orchestra) - Take 2 on Spotify. Song · Billie Holiday, Eddie Heywood · 2015