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Gershwin’s tune was a life-long favorite
of pianist
Teddy Wilson. His recording from early
November, 1937, features sparkling keyboard
work, an enchanting vocal by young
Billie Holiday, and solid trumpet by
Buck Clayton of Count Basie’s band. Less
than a month later, on a national radio
broadcast, Wilson was on hand with
Benny Goodman’s Trio performing an effervescent
version aided by the tasty drumming by Gene
Krupa.
Minton’s Playhouse, a popular club in
New York’s Harlem, figures prominently in
jazz history as practically the birthplace
of bop. Some of the sessions were privately
recorded, and pianist
Thelonious Monk was frequently on hand,
providing the first glimpses of his playing.
He’s in a
Teddy Wilson mode on a 1941 segment
that also includes little-known trumpeter
Joe Guy.
By 1947 Monk was finding his own way,
although it seems natural that touches of
Teddy Wilson were still evident on his
version for Blue Note of “Nice Work...”
Chris Tyle - Jazz Musician and Historian
Joe Guy/Billie Holiday
Harlem Odyssey
Xanadu 112 (vinyl lp, out-of-print,
but available online at www.emusic.com)
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