Spring Ahead – Walter White
This is a tune by Walter White to remind you that today is when you set your clock forward, in order to swap an hour of sleep for an hour of daylight. Spring is just around the corner … or is that love?
Fever – Peggy Lee (Orig. Version)
“Fever” was originally recorded by American R&B singer Little Willie John in 1956. Fast forward to May 1958 when chanteuse Peggy Lee got a hold of it and it soared to the top of the pop music charts. While Peggy was technically a jazz singer, a great deal of her work crossed over to the pop side, and in this case, “Fever” pretty much became her signature song. This is the original Capitol recorded version, to which I added a few visuals for those not quite as hooked on the music itself as I am … although I don’t see how that’s possible.
Santiago / So It Is – Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Preservation Hall Jazz Band has held the torch of New Orleans music aloft for more than 50 years, keeping the history they were founded to preserve alive and well. This is Santiago, recorded live at One Eyed Jacks.
The second tune by Preservation Hall Jazz Band is called So It Is. The members of the ensemble are Ben Jaffe, Branden Lewis, Charlie Gabriel, Walter Harris, Kyle Roussel, Ronell Johnson and Clint Maedgen.
Coleman Hawkins and Harry “Sweets” Edison
The tune is called Disorder At The Border but the “dream band” performing it is in anything but disorder. It features the perfection of Coleman Hawkins on tenor sax, Harry Edison on trumpet, Sir Charles Thompson playing piano, the fingers of Jimmy Woode strumming the bass and Jo Jones driving the ensemble on drums. Recorded in 1964.
Art Tatum Classics
First, Art Tatum with Slam Stewart and Tiny Grimes in 1943 perform “Tiny’s Exercise”. Then “Art’s Blues” from the 1947 film “The Fabulous Dorseys”. It’s Art Tatum plus Tommy Dorsey (TB), Jimmy Dorsey (C), Charlie Barnet (TS), Ray Bauduc (D) and Ziggy Elman (T).
Here is Art Tatum in 1954 with “Yesterdays”, as only he can play it. Although legally blind, like so many great musicians, the purported handicap seemed to open a little wider window to his soul.
Emily – Bill Evans
“Emily” was composed by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, as the title song for the 1964 film The Americanization of Emily. (The song wasn’t sung in the movie, which is the reason that it couldn’t be nominated for an Academy Award.) It has since been recorded by numerous artists, notably Bill Evans and Tony Bennett. “Emily” became particularly associated with Bill Evans, who recorded it for the first time for his 1967 album Further Conversations with Myself. Here’s a bit of Evans genius with Bill on piano, Eddie Gomez on bass, and Marty Morell playing drums.
Cry Me A River – Julie London
Sexy is, as the commercials say, “often imitated but never duplicated.” It’s not baring lots of skin or exhibiting a particular sort of behavior but, rather, it is a natural quality that shines even through a high-button housecoat. In other words, you either have it or you don’t. Julie London oozed it! Cry Me A River pretty much became her signature song and nobody ever did it better … it’s amazing how Julie’s simple but sexy rendition so completely outclasses modern ‘Divas’ with all their vocal gymnastics and glory notes! This cut is from the May 1964 laser disc The Julie London Show with the Bobby Troup Quintet.
The Flying Scotsman / Wallflower – Gerry Mulligan
Brilliant performance of The Flying Scotsman at the 1990 International Jazz Festival in Bern Switzerland … featuring Gerry Mulligan (bs), Bill Charlap (p), Dean Johnson (b) and David Ratajczak (d).
Gerry Mulligan is at his soulful best as the quartet performs Wallflower at the 1990 Jazz Festival in Bern. The first festival took place in 1976 and has been thrilling fans with world class jazz every spring since.
Old Black Magic / Night Train – Louis Prima & Keely Smith
The music of Louis Prima and Keely Smith, along with Sam Butera and the witnesses, was rooted in New Orleans jazz, swing music, and jump blues. They liked to have fun with their performances and frequently appeared in Las Vegas, as well as on numerous recordings.
While Louis and Keely clown, Sam Butera lays down what is probably THE definitive version of “Night Train”. Sam’s solos were worth waiting for but he rarely got an entire tune to himself.
Walkin’ – Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Billy Cobham
Composition of the tune “Walkin'” is often attributed to pianist Richard Carpenter, although it is believed the real credit belongs to either Miles Davis or Gene Ammons. Whoever actually wrote it would be blown away by Hancock, Carter and Cobham’s performance, recorded at Palazzo dei Congressie, Lugano January 26, 1983.
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