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1954 seems to be the year that this Rodgers and Hart tune from 1940 came back to life. First, a session by tenor saxophonist Dave Pell brought together some excellent “cool school” players in an engaging version. Then, Miles Davis, backed by an excellent rhythm section of Horace Silver (piano), Percy Heath (bass), and Art Blakey (drums), performed a wonderful exposition of the tune. Pianist Bud Powell’s rendition, although barely three minutes long, is almost hymn-like in its execution. A number of jazz vocal renditions were recorded in 1956, but two of the best were by Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald, both accompanied by large orchestras. Two giants of the tenor sax, Ben Webster and his early mentor Coleman Hawkins, came together for Norman Granz’s Verve label in 1957 in a session that proved a classic. Webster’s soulful playing contrasts nicely with Hawkins’ decorous improvisational style.
Chris Tyle - Jazz Musician and Historian
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