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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

January 24, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: In A Sentimental Mood

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 25, 2023, is “In A Sentimental Mood.”

About This Song

“In A Sentimental Mood” was written by Duke Ellington in 1935, with lyrics by Manny Kurtz and Irving Mills. 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.

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

Here’s the 1962 recording of today’s song from Duke Ellington & John Coltrane:

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, John Coltrane, Manny Kurtz, Tony Bennett

December 25, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: In A Sentimental Mood

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 26, 2017 is “In A Sentimental Mood.”

About This Song

One of Duke Ellington’s most beautiful melodies, “In A Sentimental Mood” was composed in 1935, with the 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 of this fine song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In A Sentimental Mood” in 1999 for the album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. The album was released in conjunction with 100th anniversary of Duke Ellington’s birth.

In A Sentimental Mood

Listen to In A Sentimental Mood on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1999.


“In A Sentimental Mood,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from iTunes.

Here’s the instrumental version played by Ellington and John Coltrane that I mentioned earlier. It’s well-worth a listen.

In A Sentimental Mood

Listen to In A Sentimental Mood on Spotify. Duke Ellington · Song · 1963.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, John Coltrane, Manny Kurtz, Tony Bennett

April 24, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: In a Sentimental Mood

The song of the day for Sunday, April 23, 2016 is “In a Sentimental Mood.”

About This Song

One of Duke Ellington’s most beautiful melodies, “In a Sentimental Mood” was composed in 1935, with the 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 1999 for Tony Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool.

In A Sentimental Mood

Listen to In A Sentimental Mood on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1999.


“In a Sentimental Mood,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from iTunes.

Here’s that 1962 recording of “In A Sentimental Mood” featuring Duke Ellington and John Coltrane.

In A Sentimental Mood

Listen to In A Sentimental Mood on Spotify. Duke Ellington · Song · 1963.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, John Coltrane, Manny Kurtz

May 4, 2013 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: In A Sentimental Mood

The song of the day for Saturday, May 4, is In A Sentimental Mood.

This song closes out Duke Ellington Week at the Year of Tony Bennett. It has been a privilege to research and learn about the life and career of Duke Ellington and to share that with our readers. It’s been difficult to choose songs to feature as well, as there were so many to choose from, but we hope that you have enjoyed them as much as we have.

About This Song

Duke Ellington wrote In A Sentimental Mood in 1935 and recorded the instrumental version with his orchestra that same year. Lyrics were later written by Irving Mills and Manny Kurtz. The song is one of Ellington’s most popular songs and has been recorded frequently and used in film scores many times. Alec Wilder was a big fan of the song, calling it a “lovely song” in spite of the lyrics, “as the words certainly don’t fall very fluidly.”

About This Version

Bennett recorded In A Sentimental Mood for his 1999 tribute album to Ellington. It’s a sweet and lovely version of this very nice song.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2T51ApFJKY5J2vvJmqKFpm
In A Sentimental Mood, as well as the entire Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool album, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Manny Kurtz

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