Night and Day: Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection captures the full scope of what makes Bennett a standard-bearer: his impeccable phrasing, his ability to inhabit a lyric, and his knack for choosing songs that reveal something true about human experience. The duets with contemporary artists (Krall, Bublé, Wonder, Gaga) show how these timeless pieces remain vital across decades and musical styles. Singers at any level gain access to arrangements that work because they've been proven in the hands of a master.

These are songs that feel like conversations between you and the listener, not performances for an audience. Whether uptempo and swinging or slow and introspective, Porter's melodies stay with you because they're built on harmonic logic that your ear instinctively understands. Bennett's interpretations model how to honor the song's structure while making it entirely your own.

Singers preparing jazz or standard repertoire will find dependable, singable arrangements of songs that have earned their place in the canon. Pianists accompanying vocalists will appreciate having these 30 titles in one source, complete with melody, lyrics, and chord symbols. This book also serves music students studying American songwriting and the Great American Songbook tradition.

• Study how Bennett approaches rubato in ballads like 'The Very Thought of You' and 'Body and Soul'. His phrasing often sits slightly behind the beat, creating intimacy without losing the song's harmonic movement.
• Listen to the duet versions included here as interpretive models. Notice how Bennett maintains his vocal identity while leaving room for his duet partner's voice and style.
• Pay attention to consonant clarity in uptempo standards like 'Steppin' Out with My Baby' and 'It Don't Mean a Thing'. Bennett's articulation makes the lyrics land even at faster tempos.
• Treat the chord changes as harmonic conversations rather than obstacles. Many of these Porter tunes modulate unexpectedly; knowing why Porter moved to that chord will deepen your musical choices.

This collection works beautifully in a recital centered on American standards, or as a resource for a jazz or popular music ensemble studying song interpretation. Teachers can assign individual titles to students at different levels, since Bennett's recordings demonstrate how the same song can work in many contexts. The duets also provide accessible models for students learning to balance voices in ensemble singing.

• Interpreting jazz and standard repertoire with stylistic authenticity
• Reading and improvising around lead sheet chord symbols
• Phrasing and rubato in ballads and uptempo swing songs
• Balancing melody clarity with harmonic awareness in complex chord progressions
• Studying vocal interpretation across different arranging and orchestration choices