The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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:

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Song of the Day: The Folks That Live on the Hill

The song of the day for Thursday, November 27, 2025, is “The Folks That Live on the Hill.”

About This Song

“The Folks That Live on the Hill” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1937 movie High, Wide, and Handsome, where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Bing Crosby recorded it that same year. Peggy Lee recorded it 1957 for her album The Man I Love; it was conducted by Frank Sinatra. Other recordings include those by Diana Krall, Jo Stafford, and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Folks That Live on the Hill” on May 18, 1989, for Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“The Folks That Live on the Hill ,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Friday, November 14, 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. The song was first recorded by Paul Whiteman with Billie Holiday on vocals. It’s a wonderful, classic Mercer lyric and the tune is lovely. In addition to this recording, this song has been recorded by Anita O’Day, Peggy Lee, Queen Latifah, Shirley Horn, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

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

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

About the Billie Holiday Version

In 1942, Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra came to Capitol Records to record an instrumental version of “Trav’lin’ Light.” Trummy Young, who composed the song and played trombone in the orchestra, had brought his girlfriend, Billie Holiday, to the session. Johnny Mercer, one of the founders of Capitol Records quickly wrote lyrics for the tune for Billie Holiday to sing on the recording. She was credited as Lady Day, as she was under contract to another studio. The recording is magnificent.