Why this tune?
The thermometer here in Washington, DC tells us that it’s truly autumn in our region. That and the falling leaves, which bring to mind this week’s tune “Autumn Leaves.” “The falling leaves…” is the start of Johnny Mercer’s English-language lyrics for the chorus of Joseph Kosma’s melody, a departure from the original French lyrics by Jacques Prévert. Prévert’s version “Les feuilles mortes” (The dead leaves) doesn’t mention leaves at all in the chorus, but refers to them in the verses: “Dead leaves are collected with a shovel / Memories and regrets too” (“Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle / Les souvenirs et les regrets aussi”)
In any language or as an instrumental, this is one of the most popular songs in the jazz canon, with well over 1500 recordings since its 1946 debut. I perform it often around the DC area with vocalist Barbara Papendorp, who sticks to Prévert’s lyrics en français.
You can hear the complete track on my YouTube page.
Tunes On Tuesday Reel
Check it out!
Full track
Barbara Papendorp & Oren Levine
Oren Levine, jazz pianist and songwriter 