The song of the day for Saturday, April 29, 2023, is “Prelude to a Kiss.”

About Today

Happy Birthday to the great Duke Ellington, born on April 29, 1899, in Washington, D.C. We love you madly!

About This Song

“Prelude to a Kiss” was written in 1938 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Gordon and Irving Miss. Ted Gioia in The Jazz Standards notes 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 his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. The recording feature violinist Joel Smirnoff and was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

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

Here’s an early recording of today’s song: