The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Thursday, August 22, 2024, is “Day Dream.”

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written in 1941 by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, with lyrics by John LaTouche. Acknowledged to have been written solely by Strayhorn, “Day Dream” is a lovely song with a strong Strayhorn touch, enhanced by the thoughtful lyrics by LaTouche. The first recording was in 1941 and featured Johnny Hodges on saxophone and Billy Strayhorn on piano. Other notable recordings include this recording by Tony Bennett, Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Day Dream” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, released in 1999 for the centennial celebration of Duke Ellington’s birth. The song was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

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

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

Here’s the original recording with Johnny Hodges and Billy Strayhorn on piano:

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Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Thursday, May 25, 2023, is “Day Dream.”

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written in 1941 by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, with lyrics by John LaTouche. Acknowledged to have been written solely by Strayhorn, “Day Dream” is a lovely song with a strong Strayhorn touch, enhanced by the thoughtful lyrics by LaTouche. The first recording was in 1941 and featured Johnny Hodges on saxophone and Billy Strayhorn on piano. Other notable recordings include this one by Tony Bennett, Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Day Dream” on May 25, 1964, with an excellent jazz quartet: Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums). The trombonist on this recording is, alas, unknown. The recording was released on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 in the 2011 Complete Collection box set.

“Day Dream,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 is available on Apple Music. I don’t know about you, but I would have loved a full album with this group. There are five recordings by this group on the Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 and they are all worth a listen.

Here’s the Johnny Hodges and Billy Strayhorn 1941 recording:

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Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 29, 2017 is “Day Dream.”

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written in 1941 by Billy Strayhorn, with lyrics by John LaTouche. The first recording was in 1941 and featured Johnny Hodges on saxophone and Strayhorn on piano. Other notable recordings include this one by Tony Bennett, Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Day Dream” in 1999 for the album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool.

Day Dream

Tony Bennett · Bennett Sings Ellington / Hot And Cool · Song · 1999


“Day Dream,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is happy to honor the great Billy Strayhorn, who was born on November 29, 1915 in Dayton, Ohio. He studied at the Pittsburgh Music Institute. It was during that period that he composed one of his most notable songs: “Lush Life.” In 1938, Strayhorn was introduced to Duke Ellington, who was impressed with the young man. He gave him directions to his home in Harlem and invited Strayhorn to New York. Strayhorn wrote a song to those directions–the result was “Take The A Train.” They worked together closely up to Strayhorn’s death from cancer in 1967. A few months later, Ellington recorded the studio album … And His Mother Called Him Bill, featuring songs written by his good friend. A favorite of mine from that album is Ellington’s solo of “Lotus Blossom,” which also features Harry Carney on baritone sax.

Lotus Blossom - (Remastered) [Test]

Listen to Lotus Blossom - (Remastered) [Test] on Spotify. Song · Duke Ellington · 1997

The album also includes one of Strayhorn’s last songs, “Blood Count,” which features his good friend Johnny Hodges on tenor sax. It’s an exquisite recording.

Blood Count - Remastered

Listen to Blood Count - Remastered on Spotify. Song · Duke Ellington · 1997