The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Caravan

The song of the day for Monday, January 6, 2025, is “Caravan.”

About This Song

Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol wrote “Caravan” in 1936, with lyrics by Irving Mills. “Caravan” is one of the most popular Duke Ellington songs and has been recorded steadily over the years. In The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia attributes its popularity as a jazz song due to “the composition’s adaptability to a modernistic, modal-based approach.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Caravan” on March 16, 1962, for his album On The Glory Road, which was due to be released in 1962 but was pulled at the last moment. Thankfully, the album was released in the 2011 Complete Collection boxed set and is now available on streaming services. “Caravan” was arranged and conducted by Ralph Sharon, featuring Chico Hamilton and Jo Jones on percussion.

“Caravan,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Azure

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 6, 2024, is “Azure.”

About This Song

“Azure” was written in 1937 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Mills. In his liner notes for Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennett wrote of “Azure” that “the composition of this song is the absolute pinnacle of inventiveness and originality as it relates to the art of music composition.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Azure,” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, released in Ellington’s centennial. year. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

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

“Azure,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s “Azure,” recorded in 1937 by Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra.

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Song of the Day: Prelude to a Kiss

The song of the day for Friday, October 18, 2024, is “Prelude to a Kiss.”

About This Song

“Prelude to a Kiss” was written in 1938 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Gordon and Irving Mills. At a time when swing music was popular, Ellington wrote this more ambitious and experimental ballad.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Prelude to a Kiss” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement. Joel Smirnoff is the featured violinist.

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

Here’s Ellington’s instrumental recording of “Prelude to a Kiss” from 1938:

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Song of the Day: While The Music Plays On

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 10, 2024, is “While The Music Plays On.”

About This Song

“While The Music Plays On” was written in 1939 by Emery “Eddie” Heim, with lyrics by Irving Mills and Lupin Fein. Emery Heim was born in Budapest and moved to America in 1939. He served in the US Army, Special Services, during World War II.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “While The Music Plays On” on August 11, 1954, for his album Cloud 7, released in 1955. Chuck Wayne, who played trumpet on this album, wrote the arrangement.

“While The Music Plays On,” as well as Cloud 7, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Sophisticated Lady

The song of the day for Monday, August 5, 2024, is “Sophisticated Lady.”

About This Song

“Sophisticated Lady” was written in 1932 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Mills and Mitchell Parish. Ellington is said to have been inspired to write this song by two of his grade school teachers, who toured Europe in the summers after teaching all year. “To me that spelled sophistication.” “Sophisticated Lady” was first recorded in 1933 on the flip side with Harold Arlen’s Stormy Weather. It is, of course, one of Ellington’s most popular and often-played songs. In addition to numerous recordings by Ellington over the years, the song has been recorded by Art Tatum, Anita O’Day, Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hodges, Sarah Vaughan, and Glenn Miller.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sophisticated Lady” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. The recording features Joel Smirnoff on violin. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

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

“Sophisticated Lady,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s a live recording of “Sophisticated Lady: from Ellington’s performance at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival (where he brought down the house with the extraordinary 14 minute rendition of “Dimenuendo In Blue” which I’m also including):

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