The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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

The song of the day for Monday, March 13, 2023, 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. 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” live on September 15, 2016, at Radio Center Music Hall for a celebration of his 90th birthday. An album of the celebration was released as Tony Bennett Celebrates 90.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as Tony Bennett Celebrates 90 is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Mr. Bennett singing “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” from the concert:

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

The song of the day for Sunday, February 28, 2023, 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, in 1982 for the movie Best Friends. The initial recording was a duet by Patti Austin and James Ingram, which became a hit single in 1983. 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 and Aretha Franklin recorded “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” in 2011 for the album Duets II. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the video from the recording session:

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Song of the Day: Where Do You Start

The song of the day for Thursday, February 9, 2023, is “Where Do You Start.”

About This Song

“Where Do You Start” was written in 1987 by Johnny Mandel with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. It is one of the great songs from the Bergmans with a beautiful melody by Johnny Mandel. This song has had many beautiful recordings: Nancy Lamott, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Annie Ross, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Where Do You Start” in 2004 for The Art of Romance. It was arranged and conducted by the composer, Johnny Mandel.

“Where Do You Start,” as well as The Art of Romance is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: So Many Stars

The song of the day for Monday, November 21, 2022, is “So Many Stars.”

About This Song

“So Many Stars” was written in 1067 by Sergio Mendes, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. It was originally written for Sergio Mendes and the Brasil 66 for their 1968 album Look Around. Since then, the song has found great popularity with popular, jazz and cabaret artists including Kathleen Battle, Lee Konitz, Sarah Vaughan, Earl Klugh, Cleo Laine, and Susannah McCorkle.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Many Stars” in January 1986 and was released that year on The Art of Excellence. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“So Many Stars,” as well as The Art of Excellence is available on Apple Music.

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

The song of the day for Friday, November 18, 2022, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?”

About This Song

How Do You Keep The Music Playing” was written in 1982 by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman.

The song was written for the 1982 movie Best Friends, which starred Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn. The initial recording was a duet by Patti Austin and James Ingram, which became a hit single in 1983. 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.

Marilyn Bergman died on January 8, 2022, at the age of 93. Tony Bennett once said that when Frank Sinatra died in 1988, Marilyn Bergman called him and told him that it was up to him to carry the torch. I have to wonder who will carry the torch for Marilyn Bergman.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” on January 10, 1986, for his album The Art of Excellence, released that year. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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