The song of the day for Thursday, July 21, 2016 is “Blue and Sentimental.”

About This Song

“Blue and Sentimental” was written in 1938 by Count Basie, Jerry Livingston and Mack David. This song was initially recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra in 1938. It has since been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and Mel Tormé.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Kay Starr recorded “Blue and Sentimental” in 2001 for Bennett’s blue’s album, which has a good number of great duets, Playin’ With My Friends.

“Blue and Sentimental,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today I very pleased to honor Kay Starr on her 94th birthday. Miss Starr was born on July 21, 1922 in Oklahoma but her family soon relocated to Dallas, Texas. By the age of seven, she was appearing in and winning talent shows on the radio in Dallas. By the age of ten, she was singing on stage and earning $3 a night, which was pretty good money in the Depression.

Kay Starr did it all: pop, country, and great jazz. She was one of the great female voices of the 20th century. Happy birthday, Kay Starr!