The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 28, 2019, is “That Old Black Magic.”

About This Song

One of the great songs by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, “That Old Black Magic” was written in 1942 and first recorded by Glenn Miller. It was used in the 1942 movie Star Spangled Rhythm. It’s been recorded many times and used in several films, including the 1956 film Bus Stop, where it was sung by Marilyn Monroe.

About This Version

On August 28, 1962, Tony Bennett with the Ralph Sharon Trio and the Dave Brubeck Quartet were invited by President John F. Kennedy to present a concert to thank all of the White House college interns. Initially, the concert was to bed held in the Rose Garden, but so much interest was generated about this concert that it was moved to the outdoor Sylvan Theatre at the base of the Washington Monument.

The evening started with five songs performed by The Dave Brubeck Quartet, consisting of Brubeck on piano, Paul Desmond on alto sax, Eugene Wright on bass, and Joe Morello on drums. This was followed by six songs performed by Tony Bennett with The Ralph Sharon Trio, consisting of Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

After his set, Bennett returned to the stage with Dave Brubeck, Eugene Wright, and Joe Morello for an improvised and completely unrehearsed set. The highlight of this set (well, for me anyway) was their performance of “That Old Black Magic.”

For many years, the tapes from this concert were thought to be lost. Not long after Brubeck’s death in 2012, the tapes were found (misfiled in the classical music archives at Columbia), resulting in the 2013 release of Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962. Both performers were incredibly popular: Bennett had wowed the critics just a few weeks earlier with his legendary performance at Carnegie Hall on June 29; Brubeck, having recently found incredible success with his song “Take Five,” was busy recording and performing. This album was a rare opportunity to hear both their rehearsed sets as well as their impeccable improvisations.

“That Old Black Magic,” as well as Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Session, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: There Will Never Be Another You

The song of the day for Friday, March 8, 2019, is “There Will Never Be Another You.”

About This Song

“There Will Never Be Another You” was written in 1942 by Harry Warren, with lyrics by Mack Gordon, for a Sonja Henie vehicle called Iceland, starring Miss Henie and John Payne as a U.S. Marine stationed in Iceland during World War II. The song was introduced in the movie by Joan Merrill. Amazingly, this beautiful song was not nominated for an Academy Award. No matter. The song has become a serious jazz standard and has had many fine recordings, including Bennett’s 1959 recording with Count Basie and his 1962 improvisation with Dave Brubeck at the White House Sessions. Other significant recordings include those by Lionel Hampton, Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Today’s version is the terrific improvisation of this tune at the 1962 White House Sessions with the Dave Brubeck Trio. In addition to Brubeck on piano, the trio features Joe Morello on drums and Eugene Wright on bass. The 2013 album Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 captures the sets for Bennett and Brubeck, as well as a nice improv session with both artists.

There Will Never Be Another You – Live

There Will Never Be Another You – Live, a song by Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck Trio on Spotify

“There Will Never Be Another You,” as well as Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: There Will Never Be Another You

The song of the day for Monday, December 31, 2018, is “There Will Never Be Another You.”

About This Song

“There Will Never Be Another You” was written in 1942 by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon. It’s ironic that one of Harry Warren’s most beautiful songs was written for a minor Sonja Henie vehicle called Iceland, starring Miss Henie and John Payne as a U.S. Marine stationed in Iceland during World War II. The song was introduced in the movie by Joan Merrill. Amazingly, this beautiful song was not nominated for an Academy Award. No matter. The song has become a serious jazz standard and has had many fine recordings, including Bennett’s 1959 recording with Count Basie and his 1962 improvisation with Dave Brubeck at the White House Sessions. Other significant recordings include those by Lionel Hampton, Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “There Will Never Be Another You” in 1962 with Dave Brubeck, Eugene Wright, and Joe Morello. After Bennett and Brubeck did their individual sets at this concert, they came back onstage for a few improvised numbers, including “There Will Never Be Another You.” Thankfully, all of this was taped. Alas, the tapes were thought to be long-lost. Soon after Dave Brubeck passed in 2012, the tapes were found in Columbia’s classical music section. Columbia released Bennett/Brubeck: The White House, Live 1962 in 2013.

There Will Never Be Another You – Live

There Will Never Be Another You – Live, a song by Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck Trio on Spotify

“There Will Never Be Another You,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 4, 2018 is “That Old Black Magic.”

About This Song

One of the great songs by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, “That Old Black Magic” was written in 1942 and first recorded by Glenn Miller. It was also used in the 1942 movie Star Spangled Rhythm. It’s been recorded many times and used in several films, including the 1956 film Bus Stop, where it was sung by Marilyn Monroe.

About This Version

In August 2018, Tony Bennett, along with the Ralph Sharon Trio, and Dave Brubeck, along with Paul Desmond, Joe Morello and Eugene Wright both for performed at the request of President John Kennedy in special evening for the White House summer interns. After both Bennett and Brubeck did their respective sets, Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck, Joe Morello and Eugene Wright came back onstage for a completely improvised set, including a terrific recording of “That Old Black Magic.”

The tapes from the concert, long thought lost, were discovered a few months after Brubeck’s death in December 2012. They had been misfiled in the classical music vaults. The result of this fortuitous find was Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, released in 2013.

That Old Black Magic (with The Dave Brubeck Trio) - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962

Listen to That Old Black Magic (with The Dave Brubeck Trio) - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck Trio · 2013


“That Old Black Magic,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Friday, March 30, 2018 is “That Old Black Magic.”

About This Song

One of the great songs by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, “That Old Black Magic” was written in 1942 and first recorded by Glenn Miller. It was also used in the 1942 movie Star Spangled Rhythm. It’s been recorded many times and used in several films, including the 1956 film Bus Stop, where it was sung by Marilyn Monroe.

About This Version

After Tony Bennett finished his set with The Ralph Sharon Trio, Dave Brubeck, Joe Morello (drums) and Eugene Wright (bass) joined Bennett for some improvised numbers, my favorite of which was “That Old Black Magic.” Dave Brubeck really has a good time with this song, thankfully found and available on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962.

That Old Black Magic (with The Dave Brubeck Trio) - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962

Listen to That Old Black Magic (with The Dave Brubeck Trio) - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck Trio · 2013


“That Old Black Magic,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962, is available from iTunes.