The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Blue and Sentimental

The song of the day for Sunday, January 29, 2023, is “Blue and Sentimental.”

About This Song

“Blue and Sentimental” was written in 1938, with music by Count Basie and lyrics by Jerry Livingston and Mack David. It was initially recorded by The Count Basie Orchestra in 1938. It has since been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat Cole, and Mel Tormé.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Kay Starr recorded “Blue and Sentimental” in May 2001 for Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues.

“Blue and Sentimental,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Blue and Sentimental

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 21, 2021, is “Blue and Sentimental.”

About Today

Today we are remembering the great Kay Starr, who was born on July 21, 1922, and died at the age of 94 on November 3, 2016. She was a remarkably versatile singer who excelled in popular music, jazz, and country music. Over her career, she worked with Glenn Miller, Bob Crosby, Roy Acuff, Count Basie, and many more.

About This Song

“Blue and Sentimental” was written in 1938 by Count Basie, Jerry Livington, and Mack David. Count Basie recorded his song in 1938; other recordings include those by The Mills Brothers, Michel Legrand, The King Cole Trio, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Blue and Sentimental” with Kay Starr for his 2001 album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. The vocals were arranged by Rob Mathes.

Blue and Sentimental (with Kay Starr)

Listen to Blue and Sentimental (with Kay Starr) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2001.

“Blue and Sentimental,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Blue and Sentimental

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 3, 2021, is “Blue and Sentimental.”

About This Song

“Blue and Sentimental” was written by Count Basie, Jerry Livingston, and Mack David. Basie first recorded it in 1938 and again in 1947. Other significant recordings include those by The King Cole Trio, The Mills Brothers, and Michel Legrand on his album Legrand Jazz.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Kay Starr recorded “Blue and Sentimental” in 2001 for the album Playing With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues.

Blue and Sentimental (with Kay Starr)

Listen to Blue and Sentimental (with Kay Starr) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2001.

“Blue and Sentimental,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Tony Bennett Sings the Blues, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Blue and Sentimental

The song of the day for Saturday, July 21, 2018 is “Blue and Sentimental.”

About This Song

“Blue and Sentimental” was written in 1938 by Count Basie, Jerry Livingston, Mack David. This song was initially recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra in 1938. It has since been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and Mel Tormé.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Kay Starr recorded “Blue and Sentimental” in 2001 for the album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues.

And he does indeed sing the blues.

Blue and Sentimental (with Kay Starr)

Listen to Blue and Sentimental (with Kay Starr) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2001.


“Blue and Sentimental,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today we are honoring Kay Starr, who was born on July 21, 1922 in Dougherty, Oklahoma, though the family soon moved to Dallas. She started singing on radio talent shows at the age of 7 and by the age of 10 she had her own 15 minute radio show. At the age of only 15, she was hired to sing with the Joe Venuti orchestra, with the caveat of a midnight curfew at the insistence of her parents. She went on to have an illustrious singing career that lasted for many years–she released her last album in 1997.

Kay Starr

Starr was successful in every field of music she tried: jazz, pop and country. But her roots were in jazz. Billie Holiday, considered by many the greatest jazz singer of all time, called Starr “the only white woman who could sing the blues.”

Kay Starr died in November 2016. She is buried in her birthplace of Dougherty, Oklahoma next to her parents.

Our Saturday video features one of Kay Starr’s greatest hits: “Wheel of Fortune,” as sung on television in 1952.

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Song of the Day: Blue and Sentimental

The song of the day for Friday, July 21, 2017 is “Blue and Sentimental.”

About This Song

“Blue and Sentimental” was written in 1938 by Count Basie, Jerry Livingston and Mack David. This song was initially recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra in 1938. It has since been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and Mel Tormé.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Kay Starr recorded “Blue and Sentimental” in 2001 for the album Playin’ With My Friends.

Blue and Sentimental (with Kay Starr)

Listen to Blue and Sentimental (with Kay Starr) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2001.


“Blue and Sentimental,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available from iTunes.

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett honors Kay Starr on the anniversary of her birth, July 21,1922.

Born as Katherine Laverne Starks in Oklahoma, Kay Starr got her start in Dallas, Texas when, at the age of seven, she sang on the radio station WRR. From that early start, she won the weekly talent shows so often that she was given her own 15-minute program, earning $3 a week. She soon made a name singing pop and hillbilly songs. By the age of 15, she was singing professionally with Joe Venuti and his orchestra. In 1947 signed a contract with Capitol Records. The label had a number of female singers signed up including Peggy Lee, Ella Mae Morse, Jo Stafford and Margaret Whiting and soon began her career as a jazz singer.

Miss Starr was an immensely versatile and popular singer. She performed, though sporadicly towards the end, well into the 21st century.

Kay Starr passed away in November, 2016 from complications from Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 94.

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