The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: In A Mellow Tone

The song of the day for Sunday, April 17, 2016 is “In A Mellow Tone.”

About This Song

Duke Ellington wrote “In A Mellow Tone” in 1939, with lyrics by Milt Gabler.

“In A Mellow Tone” was based on the 1917 song “Rose Room” by Art Hickman and Harry Williams. The song is a favorite of both vocal and instrumental jazz performers, including Tony Bennett, Paul Gonsalves, Oscar Peterson, Coleman Hawkins, Ella Fitzgerald and Annie Ross.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In A Mellow Tone” in 1999 for his album Tony Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. It’s a terrific rendition.

In A Mellow Tone

Listen to In A Mellow Tone on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1999.


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

Here’s Duke playing on a nice instrumental of “In A Mellow Tone.”

In A Mellotone

Listen to In A Mellotone on Spotify. Duke Ellington · Song · 1989.

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Song of the Day: She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)

The song of the day for is “She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good).”

About This Song

Duke Ellington wrote this song in 1941; the lyrics are by Paul Francis Webster. This song’s actual title is “I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)’. It was written for Ivie Anderson, who sang it in a revue called Jump For Joy. Anderson also recorded the song in 1941 with saxophonist Johnny Hodges that was well-received. The song has been widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song as “She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)” for his 1999 album Tony Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. The arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli.

She"s Got It Bad (And That Ain"t Good)

Listen to She"s Got It Bad (And That Ain"t Good) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1999.

“She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good),” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from iTunes.

As an extra treat, here’s the 1941 recording of “I’ve Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good) featuring Ivie Anderson:

I Got It Bad (and That Ain"t Good) - 1999 Remastered - Take 1

Listen to I Got It Bad (and That Ain"t Good) - 1999 Remastered - Take 1 on Spotify. Duke Ellington · Song · 2003.

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Song of the Day: Sophisticated Lady

The song of the day for Saturday, April 9, 2016 is “Sophisticated Lady.”

About This Song

Duke Ellington wrote “Sophisticated Lady” in 1932 as an instrumental. Lyrics were added later by Mitchell Parish and Irving Mills. Ellington is said to have been inspired to write this song by two of his grade school teachers, who toured Europe in the summers after teaching all year. “To me that spelled sophistication.” “Sophisticated Lady” was first recorded in 1933 on the flip side with Harold Arlen’s Stormy Weather. It is, of course, one of Ellington’s most popular and often-played songs. In addition to numerous recordings by Ellington over the years, the song has been recorded by Art Tatum, Anita O’Day, Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hodges, Sarah Vaughan, and Glenn Miller.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded “Sophisticated Lady” several times, but I am quite partial to this recording from his 1999 album Tony Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Gray Sargent on guitar and Joel Smirnoff on violin provide the brilliant accompaniment.

Sophisticated Lady

Listen to Sophisticated Lady on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1999.


“Sophisticated Lady,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our video is the Duke Ellington Orchestra performing “Sophisticated Lady” in Copenhagen, probably in 1971. It features the great Harry Carney.

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Song of the Day: Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me

The song of the day for Thursday, April 7, 2016 is “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me.”

About This Song

Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Bob Russell, wrote “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” in 1940. As with most Ellington songs, the tune was written first and the lyrics added later. Also, as with most Ellington songs, it became a favorite song of both instrumental and vocal musicians. Ellington recorded the song in 1944 and it was a hit on both the R&B and Popular charts. Other recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis, Jr., Anita O’Day and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” in 1999 for Tony Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. The arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli.

Do Nothin" Till You Hear From Me

Listen to Do Nothin" Till You Hear From Me on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1999.


“Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from iTunes.

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