The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: In A Sentimental Mood

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 25, 2023, is “In A Sentimental Mood.”

About This Song

“In A Sentimental Mood” was written by Duke Ellington in 1935, with lyrics by Manny Kurtz and Irving Mills. The original 1935 Ellington recording features Otto Hardwick on alto sax; Benny Goodman recorded it that same year. Though the song has always been popular and is widely recorded, the 1962 recording with Ellington and John Coltrane is considered to be one of the most notable instrumental recordings.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In A Sentimental Mood” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool.

“In A Sentimental Mood,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1962 recording of today’s song from Duke Ellington & John Coltrane:

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Song of the Day: In A Sentimental Mood

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 26, 2017 is “In A Sentimental Mood.”

About This Song

One of Duke Ellington’s most beautiful melodies, “In A Sentimental Mood” was composed in 1935, with the lyrics by Manny Kurtz and Irving Mills added later. The original 1935 Ellington recording features Otto Hardwick on alto sax; Benny Goodman recorded it that same year. Though the song has always been popular and is widely recorded, the 1962 recording with Ellington and John Coltrane is considered to be one of the most notable instrumental recordings of this fine song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In A Sentimental Mood” in 1999 for the album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. The album was released in conjunction with 100th anniversary of Duke Ellington’s birth.

In A Sentimental Mood

Listen to In A Sentimental Mood on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1999.


“In A Sentimental Mood,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from iTunes.

Here’s the instrumental version played by Ellington and John Coltrane that I mentioned earlier. It’s well-worth a listen.

In A Sentimental Mood

Listen to In A Sentimental Mood on Spotify. Duke Ellington, John Coltrane · Song · 1963.

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Songs of the Day: Lush Life, Sophisticated Lady, and some Solitude too

The songs of the day for Thursday, October 26, 2017 are “Lush Life,” “Sophisticated Lady,” and “Solitude.”

About These Songs

Though written between 1936 and 1938, “Lush Life” was not performed publicly until 1948, when composer Billy Strayhorn and vocalist Kay Davis performed it with the Duke Ellington Orchestra at Carnegie Hall in 1948. It’s rather amazing to realize that Strayhorn was only a teenager when he started writing this song. It has had several notable recordings, including those by Nat “King” Cole, Billy Ekstine and Johnny Hartman.

Duke Ellington wrote “Sophisticated Lady” in 1932 as an instrumental. Lyrics were added later by 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.

One of his masterpieces from 1934, Ellington is said to have written “Solitude” in twenty minutes at the recording session, as they were one number short (Ted Gioia in Jazz Standards). It’s a very strong song for both vocalists and instrumentalists. Ellington made over a hundred recordings of this song. Other great recordings include those by Paul Robeson, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Billy Eckstine.

About These Versions

Lady Gaga, our musical collaborator of the month, recorded this lovely solo on Strayhorn’s “Lush Life” on her 2014 album with Tony Bennett: Cheek to Cheek.

Lush Life

Listen to Lush Life on Spotify. Lady Gaga · Song · 2014.


“Lush Life,” as well as Cheek to Cheek, is available from iTunes.

Tony Bennett recorded this wonderful solo of “Sophisticated Lady” on the same album:

Sophisticated Lady

Listen to Sophisticated Lady on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2014.

And while I’m on a Duke Ellington kick, which I almost always am, is this terrific recording of Solitude by Ellington and John Coltrane, from 1961.

In a Sentimental Mood

Listen to In a Sentimental Mood on Spotify. Duke Ellington · Song · 1961.

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Song of the Day: In a Sentimental Mood

The song of the day for Sunday, April 23, 2016 is “In a Sentimental Mood.”

About This Song

One of Duke Ellington’s most beautiful melodies, “In a Sentimental Mood” was composed in 1935, with the lyrics by Manny Kurtz and Irving Mills added later. The original 1935 Ellington recording features Otto Hardwick on alto sax; Benny Goodman recorded it that same year. Though the song has always been popular and is widely recorded, the 1962 recording with Ellington and John Coltrane is considered to be one of the most notable instrumental recordings.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In A Sentimental Mood” in 1999 for Tony Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool.

In A Sentimental Mood

Listen to In A Sentimental Mood on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1999.


“In a Sentimental Mood,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from iTunes.

Here’s that 1962 recording of “In A Sentimental Mood” featuring Duke Ellington and John Coltrane.

In A Sentimental Mood

Listen to In A Sentimental Mood on Spotify. Duke Ellington, John Coltrane · Song · 1963.

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