Why this tune? I wrote “Park Road Serenade” in mid-2020, and shared it first in a livestream concert.This was one of the shows sponsored by Mr. Henry’s restaurant in Washington, DC. The tune didn’t yet have a title, so I asked for suggestions from the audience. Ian Taronji proposed the title I used – itContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Park Road Serenade”
Author Archives: Oren Levine
Tunes on Tuesday: Woman On The Moon
Why this tune? In February, I received a Facebook message from Dee Osinski, a songwriter and musician based in St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. She had heard a livestream I performed in from the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts on the island, and asked if I could add chords to her newContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Woman On The Moon”
Hang On Little Cicada
To the tune of “Hang On Little Tomato” by Patrick Abbey, China Forbes, and Thomas Lauderdale (Pink Martini) Lyrics by Oren Levine, performed by Oren and Barbara Papendorp at Bistrot Lepic, May 26, 2021 The day is new and I’m finally free It’s light and I can see My siblings all around Along the groundContinue reading “Hang On Little Cicada”
Tunes on Tuesday: When I Fall In Love
Why this tune? Victor Young and Edward Heyman wrote “When I Fall In Love” for an unsuccessful 1952 film “One Minute to Zero,” where it featured in the soundtrack as an instrumental. Doris Day made it a hit with record later that year, where she sings it in a lush orchestral setting. Nat King ColeContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: When I Fall In Love”
Tunes on Tuesday: C’est Si Bon
Why this tune? C’est Si Bon is a French song from 1947, composed by Henri Betti with lyrics by André Hornez. Eartha Kitt made the song a top 10 hit with her 1953 version. I learned the song from my longtime musical partner Barbara Papendorp. We have been performing it around Washington, DC for several years,Continue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: C’est Si Bon”
Tunes on Tuesday: Just Squeeze Me
Why this tune? “Just Squeeze Me” started as “Subtle Slough,” an instrumental Duke Ellington wrote for the 1941 revue “Jump For Joy.” Lee Gaines later added the playful, romantic lyrics that gave the song the name we know today. “Jump for Joy” was an all-Black musical revue that Ellington called “the hippest thing we everContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Just Squeeze Me”
Tunes on Tuesday: Airegin
Why this tune? Sonny Rollins wrote “Airegin” (“Nigeria” backwards) in 1954, and recorded it first with Miles Davis and his band. I drew on the version on Miles’ 1957 “Bags Groove” album for mypiano track. The first version I heard of the tune couldn’t be more different. That was Maynard Ferguson’s loud, fast big bandContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Airegin”
Tunes on Tuesday: Bye Bye Blackbird
Why this tune? Bye Bye Blackbird is one of the oldest songs we still play as jazz standards, first recorded in 1926. I expect most jazz fans today will be more with Miles Davis’ 1957 interpretation and later recordings than the first versions from the likes of San Lanin and Nick Lucas “The Crooning Troubadour.”Continue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Bye Bye Blackbird”
Tunes on Tuesday: When The Morning Comes (lyrics video)
Why this tune? “ “When The Morning Comes” encourages us to welcome the chance for a new start on a new day. I wrote it after a period of writer’s block, taking inspiration from the early hour. You can hear it on my 2018 album “Making Up For Lost Time,” featuring Aaron Myers’ vocals andContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: When The Morning Comes (lyrics video)”
Tunes on Tuesday: You Are Too Beautiful
Why this tune? “You Are Too Beautiful” is another classic from the “Great American Songbook,” written by Rodgers and Hart the 1933 film “Hallelujah, I’m a Bum,” where it was sung by Al Jolson. The film was an experiment in “rhythmic dialogue,” where all of the lines in the script were sung in time. TheContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: You Are Too Beautiful”
Oren Levine, jazz pianist and songwriter 