Why this tune? I spent several years in Israel in the late 1980s and early 90s, and to this day have a strong emotional connection its music. This week’s song, “Yesh Ai Sham,” is one example of the work of Yoni Rechter, a giant of Israeli music, contributing his talents for decades as a composer,Continue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Yesh Ai Sham (There Is Somewhere)”
Tag Archives: solo piano
Tunes on Tuesday: Autumn Leaves
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 originalContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Autumn Leaves”
Tunes on Tuesday: Peace
Why this tune? This week’s tune is another jazz classic, the beautiful ballad “Peace” written by Horace Silver in 1959. Silver would have celebrated his 95th birthday this week (Sept. 2). He was a pioneer of “hard bop” in the 1950s and 60s and wrote many tunes that have become jazz standards, like “Song ForContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Peace”
Tunes on Tuesday: All The Things You Are
Why this tune? I’m returning to the standards this week with another tune I’ve been working to add to my repertoire of songs I can play in any key. I shared my version of the most popular jazz standard “Body and Soul” a few weeks ago. This week it’s the runner-up, “All The Things YouContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: All The Things You Are”
Tunes on Tuesday: Be Free (Emancipation Day)
Why this tune? Tunes On Tuesday comes out on Monday this week in honor of the 175th Emancipation Day (July 3), celebrating the revolt that forced the end of slavery in the Danish West Indies (now the US Virgin Islands). This week’s tune is the new single from The Lucky So & Sos, a DC-based bandContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Be Free (Emancipation Day)”
Tunes on Tuesday: Body and Soul
Why this tune? If you’re going to spend time committing jazz standards to memory, one of the first ones on any list should be “Body and Soul.” This 1930 song by Johnny Green with lyrics by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour andFrank Eyton is, according to jazzstandards.com, the most popular song in the jazz canon. AfterContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Body and Soul”
Tunes on Tuesday: East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)
Why this tune? East of the Sun (and West of the Moon) has a different history from many of the classic American songs we still play in the jazz world. Brooks Bowman, a Princeton undergrad, wrote it in 1935 for a student production. The song quickly became a hit after Tom Coakley recorded it withContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)”
Tunes on Tuesday: But Beautiful
Why this tune? “But Beautiful” is another musical masterpiece by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke,featured in the 1947 film “Road to Rio.” That duo was also responsible for many other classic songs including “It Could Happen To You” and “Like Someone In Love.” “But Beautiful” was a hit for at least four singers inContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: But Beautiful”
Tunes on Tuesday: America Drinks and Goes Home
Why this tune? Today (May 16) is the birthday of the late Woody Herman, one of the major bandleaders of the swing era and one of a small number to keep his band going into the 1970s and 1980s. In his honor, I played a Tune by Frank Zappa, “America Drinks and Goes Home.” What’sContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: America Drinks and Goes Home”
Tunes on Tuesday: Afternoon In Paris
Why this tune? I was re-introduced to “Afternoon In Paris” at a recent jam session in Washington, DC, when a guest sax player called the tune. This composition by pianist John Lewis isn’t a particularly popular tune in the jazz “canon.” Second Hand Songs lists 75 recordings of the tune, many fewer than “hits” likeContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Afternoon In Paris”