The song of the day for Tuesday, October 15, 1964 is “Have You Met Miss Jones?”.

About This Song

“Have You Met Miss Jones?” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart in 1937 for the musical revue I’d Rather Be Right. It’s one of their sweetest and most charming love songs, as the young man who is introduced to Miss Jones and falls in love immediately. In addition to Bennett’s recording, other significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Have You Met Miss Jones?” on October 15, 1964, with a remarkable quartet: Herbie Hanok on piano; Stan Getz on tenor sax; Ron Carter on bass; and Elvin Jones on drums. The songs were originally released on an album called Jazz, which was released in 1987. What I do know is that I dearly wish there were enough of these recordings for a full album. The songs they recorded were released in 2011 on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, available online.

Jazz journalist Ted Gioia remarked about this collaboration soon after Bennett’s death on July 21, 2013:

Something amazing happened on May 25, 1964, at least if you’re a jazz fan. On that day, Tony Bennett walked into a New York studio with Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Elvin Jones. Just thinking about it makes my heart palpitate.

But here’s the rub: they only recorded one track. Later that year, that same ensemble returned to the studio, and recorded three more songs.

In other words, they never had enough music to release an entire album—which makes me moan and groan, because this would have been one of the classic jazz vocal albums of the century. At least we have a taste of this music to savor.

“Have You Met Miss Jones?,” as well as , is available on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights Vol. 1.