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,” 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.
