Sounds
This is the theme song for the 1959 Brazilian romantic tragedy by the same name which sets the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice in a contemporary favela in Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval. It’s in the play list for probably ever lounge band ever.
This classic from the 1942 Sonja Henie movie “Iceland” featured Joan Merrill on vocals but was later recorded by almost every crooner of the day, from Sinatra to Nat King Cole to Chet Baker.
Originally composed for the 1959 Brazilian film “Black Orpheus” (Orfeu Negro), the song premiered in the movie with Brazilian children sitting on a cliff over the ocean, trying to persuade the sun to rise.
This lounge band staple is the English-language version of the French song “Les Feuilles Mortes” (“The Dead Leaves”). The history and cultural appropriation of the song to make it a 1950s American pop standard is fascinating.
Originally recorded in 1931, this was Bing Crosby’s first #1 hit as a solo artist. It’s been covered by everybody from Frank Sinatra to Charlie Parker and can be heard in at least 14 films. Needless to say, it’s a lounge band classic.
Another classic by Johnny Green, it was sung by Helen Morgan as the theme for 1933 movie by the same name. Billie Holiday delivered probably the best performance. It was also covered by Tony Bennett and Louis Armstrong.
Also known as “No More Blues“, it’s allegedly the first Bossa Nova song ever recorded. Chega is a long song: 68 measures and is a challenge for soloists. One of the best live versions is by Brazilian pianist/singer, Eliane Elias for AVO Session.
Sandu is a cornerstone of any hard bop repertoire. Clifford Brown took the familiar 12-bar blues and added bebop harmonic substitutions with a melodically sophisticated and non-cliche head. While easy to play, the Brown-Roach Quintet is still the definitive version.
This song was written for the 1948 film noir of the same name. It’s been performed by a variety of artists, Bing Crosby and Harry Belafonte to McCoy Tyner and Horace Silver. This is the John Coltrane version.
Also known as “No More Blues“, it’s allegedly the first Bossa Nova song ever recorded. Chega is a long song: 68 measures and is a challenge for soloists. One of the best live versions is by Brazilian pianist/singer, Eliane Elias for AVO Session.
Sandu is a cornerstone of any hard bop repertoire. Clifford Brown took the familiar 12-bar blues and added bebop harmonic substitutions with a melodically sophisticated and non-cliche head. While easy to play, the Brown-Roach Quintet is still the definitive version.
The jazz tune “Three and One” is a soulful, mid-tempo hard bop composition written by Thad Jones, the trumpeter, composer, and bandleader. It’s known for its bluesy feel and intricate yet swinging arrangement style that became a hallmark of Jones’ writing.