All That Christmas Jazz

Clockwise: Julie London; Lena Horne; Kay Starr; and Nancy Wilson.

Holiday music from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s always warms my heart. When I was growing up, that is the music my Mother listened to, for she had a strong collection of Christmas records, both by artists, and compilations put out by a variety of companies. I remember the Goodyear series, and the A&P series, as well. I sure there were others, but these featured the artists of the day, from Ella Fitzgerald to Doris Day to Dean Martin, and countless others. These days, when I see the Ultra-Lounge collections, I cannot resist them. The four sounds here can be found on the 'Christmas Cocktails' album, which are played every holiday season. I will start off tonight with Julie London singing "I'd Like You For Christmas". The song was written by Julie's accompanist and husband, Bobby Troup. It is sweet, sexy, and fun. This is Julie London with "I'd Like You For Christmas".

When it comes to personal style, few could compete with the one and only Lena Horne. From the way she dressed to the unique phrasing she alone could claim, Miss Horne was definitely one of a kind. I was not a bit surprised to see she had her own distinctive stamp on "Jingle Bells", complete with new lyrics. I hope you enjoy Lena Horne singing "Jingle All The Way" as much as I do!

Now, songs about St. Nick don't usually swing quite as much as "(Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With The Bag". The song was written in 1950 by Irving Taylor, Dudley Brooks, and Hal Stanley. The song was made popular by a recording from Kay Starr, who Billie Holiday once called "the only white woman who could sing the blues." This is Kay Starr with "(Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With The Bag".

There is a delicious warmth to the voice of Nancy Wilson. When you pair that up with a beautiful song written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne, you have another winner. "The Christmas Waltz" was written in 1954 for Frank Sinatra, as a B-side for his recording of "White Christmas". The song quickly became a standard, with many wanting to record it. In fact, 14 years later, Wilson made one of her own. This is Nancy Wilson singing "The Christmas Waltz".

Have a great holiday season!

Ultra-Lounge Divas

Clockwise: Sarah Vaughan, Margie Rayburn, Ann Richards, and Kay Starr.

While I usually allow some amazing performances from lady Jazz singers to deliver torch songs on Saturday nights, tonight was I inspired by an old recording I came across, Ultra-Lounge's 'Divas Las Vegas!'. The uptempo numbers were just what the doctor ordered. I discovered the album while watching 'The Opposite Sex' on TCM, which featured one of the singers on the album, Dolores Gray. While she won't appear tonight, I do look forward to featuring her some evening soon. The 'Divas' album showcased some of the ladies who played the gambling center of the world, delivering great Jazz and Pop mussic to all who paid to hear it. I will start with a favorite of mine, Sarah Vaughan. With a song written by Mann Curtis, Al Hoffman, and Walter Kent, best known when sung by Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack pals. But when Sarah gets hold of it, the song will never be the same. This is "I'm Gonna Live Till I Die" by the amazing Sarah Vaughan.

The next track was also the second off the album. "This Could Be the Start of Something" is a popular song written by Steve Allen, better known as a television host, the first to host 'The Tonight Show' from 1954 to 1957. It was during this time he wrote the song, which was published in 1956. It soon became the theme song to 'The Tonight Show' until Allen left. The song became a big hit, and was quickly recorded by some of the biggest names of the time, including Judy Garland and Ella Fitzgerald. Margie Rayburn first became known as part of the group The Sunnysiders, who had a couple of hits in the 1950s. This is Rayburn singing "This Could Be The Start of Something".

The next song was written for the great Judy Holliday, who starred in the 1956 Broadway hit, 'Bells Are Ringing'. With a melody written by Jule Styne and the lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, this song was destined to be great. Soon it was being recorded by many of the greats of the time, That list would include Kay Starr, who Billie Holiday said was "the only white woman who could sing the blues". High praise indeed from the singer many believe to be the best Jazz singer of all time. This is Kay Starr singing "Just In Time".

The final track for this evening is a great one, to be sure. With music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, "Something's Coming" was written for the 1957 Broadway production of 'West Side Story'. The show was a huge hit, and soon people were lining up to sing the songs from the show. Singer Ann Richards began her career as a big band singer, and was noticed what singing for Stan Kenton and is orchestra. Soon there was more than a professional relationship, as Richards and Kenton not only got married, but had two children. This is "Something's Coming" by Ann Richards!

Enjoy your weekend!

An Evening Breeze...

Clockwise: Kay Starr, Georgia Gibbs, Rosemary Clooney, and Teresa Brewer.

While looking for an inspiration for a post, I just decided to think of a song I really wanted to hear this afternoon. Right away, Rosemary Clooney popped into my head, and it was a song she released in 1952. Thus, a theme was born. I went to look at the song released in 1952, and found several that fit the bill for tonight, great songs sung by amazing ladies, all about love. I decided to begin with the first #1 song from the wonderful Kay Starr. "Wheel of Fortune" was written by Bennie Benjamin and George David Weiss, and it sounds like it was tailored to Starr. It showcases the power and nuance of her vocals. This is Kay Starr singing "Wheel of Fortune".

I am pleased to introduce a vocalist new to the blog with this next song. "Kiss of Fire" was written by Argentine Ángel Villoldo, and was sung by some of the greats in the music world. But it had it's greatest success when sung by Georgia Gibbs, when it went to #2 on the Billboard Pop chart. Gibbs was born Frieda Lipschitz, the daughter of Russian Jews. She lost her father while still young, and was raised for a time in an orphanage. Later, after her mother found employment, she came to get Frieda, but life as a single parent in the 1930s was not easy. Soon the teenaged Lipschitz was winning talent contests, and was hired as a professional singer at age 13. She worked hard, singing all over. In 1952, she found herself at the top of the charts with this wonderful song. This is Georgia Gibbs singing "Kiss of Fire".

Teresa Brewer made Gibbs seem like a late bloomer. She was hard at work as a singer at age 5, singing on the 'Major Bowes Amateur Hour', a touring radio program. The show was a talent contest, the American Idol of it's day. She continued with the show until she was 12, when she moved home to Toledo, Ohio, to try to have a 'normal' life. She could not stay away for long, and by the time she was 16, she was singing once again. By the time she was 18, she had her frist #1 song on the Billboard Pop chart, with "Music Music Music" in 1950. "Till I Waltz Again With You" was her second #1 song, released two years later. The song perfectly fit her glorious voice, blending the power and tone just right. This is Teresa Brewer singing "Till I Waltz Again With You".

Finally, we come to the song that inspired this post. "Tenderly" was written in 1946 with music by Walter Gross and lyrics by Jack Lawrence. It was first sung by Sarah Vaughan in 1947, but it was the amazing Rosemary Clooney who had the greatest success with it. Once again, it was a great song perfectly suited for the right voice, for the richness of Clooney's voice is truly on display on this track. It has long been a favorite of mine, and whenever I hear it, I know why. Rosie is so relaxed, so seductive, I am entranced. This is Rosemary Clooney singing "Tenderly".

Have a great weekend!

Swingin' Christmas

Clockwise: Julie London; Kay Starr; Nancy Wilson; and Peggy Lee.

It is Saturday night,and my thoughts seem to roam to the smokey clubs of long ago. You know what I mean. The type of club you would find after a little walking in the snow, and you think it is time for a little liquid heat. After shaking the snow off your hat, coat and scarf, you settle in to a talbe, and the waitress brings you a drink. You start to hear the husky tones of the girl singer, and the gentle swaying of the jazz band. The first singer sounds just like Julie London, a favorite of mine. Here she sings I'd Like You For Christmas.



It'd be hard to imagine this without the participation of Miss Peggy Lee, an amazing jazz singer for so many years. This is a recording of Peggy with her very special take on the holiday classic, Winter Wonderland.



Kay Starr wow'ed the world whenever she sang. She started her rise to fame in the 40s, winging with big bands. she continued to perform in the 70s, 80s and the 90s. But a while ago, she definitely had just hte right amount of swing to sing (Everybody's Waiting For) The Man With The Bag.



And there is the glorious voice of Miss Nancy Wilson. No, not one the famous sisters from the rock band Heart, but the jazz singer, who had such an amazing, full stone in her voice. After dropping out of college, Nancy started singing professionally in the late 50s, fronting for a big band. She went on to much success, both as a singer and as an actress. She finishes out our holiday evening, singing That's What I Want For Christmas.