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 Tuesday, January 13, 2026, is “In a Sentimental Mood.”

About This Song

“In a Sentimental Mood” was composed in 1935 by Duke Ellington; the lyrics by Manny Kurtz and Irving Mills were 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 May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement. The album was released in 1999 to coincide with Duke Ellington’s centenary celebration.

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

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

We’ve got “In a Sentimental Mood” from the 1963 album Duke Ellington & John Coltrane. It’s an extraordinary recording.

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Song of the Day: My Old Flame

The song of the day for Sunday, January 11, 2026, is “My Old Flame.”

About This Song

“My Old Flame” was written by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow for the 1934 movie Belle of the Nineties, which starred Mae West. West was an ardent Duke Ellington fan and insisted that he and his orchestra be hired to do the film and accompany her when she sang it. The song has been widely recorded, including those by Duke Ellington with Ivie Anderson, Benny Goodman, Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Old Flame” in June 1966 for his tribute to Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett On Holiday. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“My Old Flame,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Billie Holiday, with Eddie Heywood and His Orchestra recorded “My Old Flame” on March 25, 1944.

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Song of the Day: Azure

The song of the day for is “Azure.”

About This Song

“Azure” was written in 1937 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Mills. In his liner notes for Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennett writes of “Azure” that “the composition of this song is the absolute pinnacle of inventiveness and originality as it relates to the art of music composition.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Azure” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

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

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Song of the Day: That Ole Devil Called Love

The song of the day for Friday, December 26, 2025, is “That Ole Devil Called Love.”

About This Song

“That Ole Devil Called Love” was written in 1945 by Doris Fisher and Allan Roberts. Doris Fisher, daughter of songwriter Fred Fisher, was so popular in the 1940s that she was called “Queen of the Jukebox.” She often wrote with Allan Roberts. She was also a talented singer and performer. Other of her songs include “You Always Hurt The One You Love.”

Billie Holiday was the first to record today’s song. She recorded it in 1944 as the B-side to “Lover Man.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “That Ole Devil Called Love” in June 1996 for Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute to Billie Holiday. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute to Billie Holiday won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“That Ole Devil Called Love,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Billie Holiday, with The Toots Camarata Orchestra, recorded “That Ole Devil Called Love” on November 8, 1944, for Decca Records.

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Song of the Day: Prelude to a Kiss

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 3, 2025, is “Prelude to a Kiss.”

About This Song

“Prelude to a Kiss” was written in 1938 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Gordon and Irving Mills.

In The Jazz Standards, Ted Gioia writes that in the late 1930s, having practically invented swing music:

At this juncture he does the exact opposite. The Duke uses his fame and great artistic freedom to become more ambitious, more experimental, less beholden to the formulas of swing music. “Prelude To A Kiss” from 1938 is a case in point.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Prelude to a Kiss” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Prelude to a Kiss,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

We have Ellington’s original recording of “Prelude to a Kiss” from 1938: