The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Antonia

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 12,’ 2025, is “Antonia.”

About This Song

“Antonia” was written in 1989 by Jack Segal and Robert Wells. Antonia Bennett is the youngest of Tony Bennett’s children; his daughter Joanna was born a few years before her. He has said often that he loved the song “When Joanna Love Me,” written by Robert Wells and Jack Segal, so much, that he named his first daughter Joanna. For the album Astoria: The Portrait of the Artist, Bennett asked Wells and Segal to write a song for Antonia, which they did.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Antonia” on May 18, 1989, and was released on Bennett’s 1990 album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Antonia,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available on Apple Music.

Here is Antonia Bennett, singing “The Nearness of You” (written by Hoagy Carmichael and Ned Washington) from her album Embrace Me:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Sophisticated Lady

The song of the day for Saturday, February 8, 2025, is “Sophisticated Lady.”

About This Song

“Sophisticated Lady” was composed by Duke Ellington in 1932 as an instrumental; the lyrics by Mitchell Parish were added later. Ellington is said to have been inspired to write this song by three 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 recorded “Sophisticated Lady” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, featuring an arrangement by Jorge Calandrelli. The album was released in Ellington’s centenary year. He was born in Washington, DC on April 29, 1899.

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

Here’s Ellington’s 1933 instrumental recording of “Sophisticated Lady,” which featured Toby Hardwick on alto sax, Barney Bigard on clarinet, Lawrence Brown on trombone, and Ellington on piano.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 4, 2025, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About Today

Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute to Billie Holiday was released 28 years ago on February 4, 1997.

In 2014, a reader left a thoughtful comment on The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography, our sister site, about this album:

I was surprised to discover that Tony Bennett’s tribute to Lady Day rang truer than all of the other attempts to politicize her, racialize her, or use her as a self-promotional “career stepping stone.” Tony captures the Lady of the Gardenias that struck Sinatra to the core when he first heard her in the late ’30s, causing him to list her as chief among all his inspirations and influences.

I couldn’t agree more.

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was written by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy in 1942. Paul Whiteman was set to record the song for Capitol Records, founded by Johnny Mercer. Trummy Young brought his girlfriend, Billie Holiday. Mercer quickly wrote the lyrics to the song so that Holiday could record the vocals. As Holiday was under contract with Columbia at the time, she was credited as Lady Day on the record.

About This Version

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

Tony Bennett On Holiday won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance.

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

Here’s Billie Holiday’s 1942 recording of “Trav’lin’ Light” with Paul Whitman and His Orchestra:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: How Do You Keep The Music Playing

The song of the day for Saturday, January 11, 2025, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing” was written by Michel Legrand with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman for the 1982 movie Best Friends, starring Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn. It was one of three songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman that were nominated that year for an Academy Award for Best Song (though the award went to “Up Where We Belong” from the movie An Officer and a Gentleman). The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra (who encouraged Bennett to sing this song), Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis and Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett and George Michael, and most recently, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of How Do You Keep The Music Playing on January 10, 1986, for The Art Of Excellence. Jorge Calandrelli orchestrated and conducted the album.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Got Lost In Her Arms

The song of the day for Friday, January 10, 2025, is “I Got Lost In Her Arms.”

About This Song

“I Got Lost In Her Arms” was written by Irving Berlin for the 1946 Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun, starring Ethel Merman and Ray Middleton. The song’s actual title is “I Got Lost in His Arms” and was introduced by Miss Merman.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Got Lost In Her Arms” In January 1986 for his album The Art Of Excellence. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangements and conducted the orchestra for this album.

“I Got Lost In Her Arms,” as well as The Art Of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.