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, April 30, 2025, is “In a Sentimental Mood.”

About This Song

“In a Sentimental Mood” was written in 1935 by Duke Ellington, with 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 May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

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

Here’s Ellington’s original 1935 recording.

And here’s the 1962 recording with Ellington and John Coltrane. It’s really extraordinary.

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Song of the Day: Mood Indigo

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 29, 2025, is “Mood Indigo.”

About Today

We are remembering Edward Kennedy Ellington on the anniversary of his birth in Washington, D.C. 126 years ago today on April 29, 1899. We’ll be playing songs by Duke Ellington for the next few days.

About This Song

“Mood Indigo” was written in 1930 by Duke Ellington; Irving Mills wrote the lyrics. The song 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 May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot And Cool, which was released in 1999 for Ellington’s centennial. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement. Wynton Marsalis played trumpet for this recording.

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

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

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Song of the Day: Crazy She Calls Me

The song of the day for Thursday, April 24, 2025, is “Crazy She Calls Me.”

About This Song

“Crazy She Calls Me” was written by Carl Sigman and Bob Russell (originally titled “Crazy He Calls Me) in 1949. In addition to Billie Holiday’s recording of this song, it has also been recorded by Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington, and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Crazy She Calls Me” in June 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Crazy She Calls Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s 1949 recording of “Crazy He Calls Me.”

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Song of the Day: Blue Velvet

The song of the day for Friday, April 11, 2025, is “Blue Velvet.”

About This Song

“Blue Velvet” was written in 1950 by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris. Tony Bennett’s 1951 recording of “Blue Velvet” was the first recording of the song and was one of his early hits for Columbia.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Blue Velvet” in 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Blue Velvet,” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Thursday, April 3, 2025, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was written in 1942 by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer.

In 1942, Paul Whiteman and his band came to the newly formed Capitol Records for a recording session, to include a new composition by Trummy Young and Jimmy Munday, who were both at the session. Young also brought his girlfriend, Billie Holiday, to the session. Mercer quickly wrote lyrics for the song so Holiday could record it. As she was under contract with Columbia Records at that time, she was credited as Lady Day for the recording.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’lin’ Light” in June 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, which was released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Trav’lin’ Light,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday , is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the original 1942 recording of today’s song: