The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Honeysuckle Rose

The song of the day for Friday, May 28, 2021, is “Honeysuckle Rose.”

About This Song

“Honeysuckle Rose” was written in 1929 by Thomas “Fats” Waller and Andy Razaf. It’s one of Waller’s better known tunes and for good reason. The tune is very well written and Razaf’s lyric is delightful. Waller recorded the song in 1934 and that recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The song has been recorded steadily throughout the years, including the one from Lena Horne in 1963.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Honeysuckle Rose” in 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies. On this album, Bennett sings songs associated with the great 20th century female singers. He chose this song in honor of Lena Horne. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Honeysuckle Rose

Listen to Honeysuckle Rose on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1995.

“Honeysuckle Rose,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Mood Indigo

The song of the day for Saturday, May 1, 2021, is “Mood Indigo.”

About This Song

Originally titled “Dreamy Blues,” Duke Ellington wrote this song in 1930, which is based on a theme by Barney Bigard, who is said to have learned it from his New Orleans clarinet teacher, Lorenzo Tio. Ellington wrote the song specifically for “microphone transmission” and it was first played on a 1930 radio broadcast. Audiences loved the song, and so Irving Mills wrote the lyric, changing the name of the song to “Mood Indigo.” The song has been widely recorded by instrumental and vocal artists, including Tony Bennett, Charles Mingus, Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Mood Indigo” in 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. The arrangement by Jorge Calandrelli features Wynton Marsalis on trumpet and Al Grey on trombone.

We hope you have enjoyed Duke Ellington Week on The Year of Tony Bennett. To quote Duke: “We love you madly!”

Mood Indigo

Listen to Mood Indigo on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1999.

“Mood Indigo,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me

The song of the day for Friday, April 30, 2021, is “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me.”

About This Song

“Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” was written by Duke Ellington, with lyrics from Bob Russell, in 1940. As with most Ellington songs, the tune was written first and the lyrics added later. Also, as with most Ellington songs, it became a favorite song of both instrumental and vocal musicians. Ellington recorded the song in 1944 and it was a hit on both the R&B and Popular charts. Other recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis, Jr., Anita O’Day, and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded ” Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” in 1999 from Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Do Nothin" Till You Hear From Me

Listen to Do Nothin" Till You Hear From Me on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1999.

“Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s 1944 recording of “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me.”

Do Nothin" "Til You Hear from Me

Listen to Do Nothin" "Til You Hear from Me on Spotify. Duke Ellington · Song · 2018.

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Song of the Day: Sophisticated Lady

The song of the day for Thursday, April 29, 2021, is “Sophisticated Lady.”

About Today

Today marks the 122nd anniversary of the birth of Duke Ellington, born in Washington D.C. on April 29, 1899. His music will never be forgotten and will never be outdated.

About This Song

“Sophisticated Lady” was written by Duke Ellington in 1932, with lyrics by Irving Mills and 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett was recorded in 1999 for the album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Sophisticated Lady

Listen to Sophisticated Lady on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1999.

“Sophisticated Lady,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s 1932 instrumental recording.

Sophisticated Lady

Listen to Sophisticated Lady on Spotify. Duke Ellington · Song · 2018.

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Song of the Day: Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 10, 2021, is “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me.”

About This Song

“Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” was written in 1940 by Duke Ellington and Bob Russell. As with most Ellington songs, the tune was written first and the lyrics added later. Also, as with most Ellington songs, it became a favorite song of both instrumental and vocal musicians. Ellington recorded the song in 1944 and it was a hit on both the R&B and Popular charts. Other recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis, Jr., Anita O’Day, and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” in 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Do Nothin" Till You Hear From Me

Listen to Do Nothin" Till You Hear From Me on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1999.

“Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from Apple Music.

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