The song of the day for Tuesday, September 26, 2023, is “Fascinating Rhythm.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the great George Gershwin, who was born in New York City on September 26, 1898.

About This Song

“Fascinating Rhythm” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the Broadway musical Lady Be Good and was introduced by Cliff Edwards, and Fred and Adele Astaire. The Astaires also recorded the song in 1926 with Gershwin on piano. “Fascinating Rhythm” was, and still is, a jazz number. For that reason, it has never been out of favor with jazz artists, both vocal and instrumental.

About This Version

Today I’m featuring two versions of “Fascinating Rhythm.”

1949: Tony Bennett recorded “Fascinating Rhythm” in April 1949 for Leslie Records as a 78, with “Vieni Qui” on the flip side. The record helped make Bennett a success: Mitch Miller, a producer for Columbia Records, heard “Fascinating Rhythm,” along with a recording made later that year “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and decided to sign Bennett to Columbia in 1950.

2018: Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded a duet of Fascinating Rhythm” for his penultimate album, Love Is Here To Stay.

“Fascinating Rhythm,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available on Apple Music.