Originally trained as a classical pianist, Sergio Mendes was drawn to jazz and ultimately to Brazilian music with its Bossa Nova beat and soft pop stylings. His music is timeless and his name and Brasil ’66 have become household words worldwide and across generations.
Frank Sinatra, Jo Stafford and The Pied Pipers with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra in a scene from the 1941 film, “Las Vegas Nights”. This was Sinatra’s first screen appearance in the movies. Unfortunately, His one song was interrupted by a stream of trivial dialogue, which I took the liberty of editing out. Frank went on to establish one of the greatest film careers of all time, featured in both singing and non-singing roles.
In 1948, four young men created a sound that forever changed the way vocal jazz harmony was heard and performed. Known as The Four Freshmen, the group started with two brothers, Don and Ross Barbour, their cousin Bob Flanigan, and friend Hal Kratzsch. With a soaring, true tenor in Bob Flanigan, the group created a sound that has endured for over 6 decades. This is the second iteration of The Four Freshmen, circa about 1956. Performing are Bob Flanigan, Ross Barbour, Don Barbour and Ken Albers, who replaced Hal.
Upper left is Love Is Just Around The Corner, upper right Somebody Loves Me, lower left It’s A Blue World, and lower right There Will Never Be Another You. (Our thanks to Ray Anthony TV)
Listen carefully to “Li’l Darlin'” both by the Count Basie Orchestra, and by Lambert, Hendricks and Ross with Joe Williams. The first thing that struck me when I heard these two versions of the song, is that you almost have to listen twice to tell which is the instrumental and which is the vocal. That’s how precise LH&R’s style and phrasing was! Here they are side-by-side. What do you think?
A beautiful acapella rendition of the 1939 British classic with lyrics by Eric Maschwitz and music by Manning Sherwin. The late Tim Hauser, Janis Siegel, Cheryl Bentyne and Alan Paul transport you to London towne for a romantic evening, as only The Manhattan Transfer can do!
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