They're Playing His Songs...

A few days ago, Going Places had a list of songs about cities... But there is this one song about the 'City of Love' that stands the test of all time... I Love Paris.

Everybody loves Paris, and every jazz singer and musician love the composer and lyricist who has written the song and many many others. Cole Porter - who was born today in 1891 (125 years ago) was a truly amazing songwriter having composed more than 1200 songs for the stage and screen. Most active from the 20s to the 50s, his songs have been sung by singers of all generations. Frank Sinatra above sang many of his songs... and Ella Fitzgerald sang his entire songbook in the 50s. Staying with the Francais, C'est Magnifique.

The 70s and 80s saw Cole Porter transcend across music genres - including Country and Spanish Pop...

Country Singer Crystal Gayle's version of It's Alright With Me was adapted to a jingle for Eastern Airlines.

Spanish singer (and footballer) Julio Iglesias had a popular version of Begin The Beguine.

In 2004, coinciding with 40 years of his death, saw the release of a biopic entitled De-Lovely, based on Cole Porter's life and career. The film starring Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd has a wide collection of Cole Porter's music - including the title song It's De-Lovely performed by Robbie Williams.

Let's Do It, Let's Fall In Love - an interesting list of people, birds, insects and animals that fall in love - was sung on the soundtrack by 'Ironic' Alanis Morissette.

Cole Porter will never go old... the list of people who've covered his songs include the flamboyant Lady Gaga who pairs up with the ageless Tony Bennett for Anything Goes.

Anything Jazz would be incomplete without a mention of the modern King of Swing Michael Buble, here with I've Got You Under My Skin.

I'm sure you've heard most of these songs... but not known the connection. Do tell me how you like my blog... and feel free to add your suggestions.  

JAZZ IT UP.... International Jazz Day

"Jazz is not just music, it's a way of life, it's a way of being, a way of thinking." - Nina Simone

Today (April 30) is International Jazz Day by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) to celebrate the beauty and power of jazz, not just as a beloved creative art form, but as an instrument for cultural diplomacy.

How was JAZZ born?... Check out this video for your answer... 'How Jazz Was Born'

Did you see Louis in the video... not the 'Banks' - Louis Armstrong? He was playing the signature trumpet. 

I possibly heard the word 'Jazz' for the first time mentioned with respect to the Jazz Yatra... but the coverage I saw on TV was lots and lots of musicians playing their own thing...

Many years later (in the mid-90s), I attended a few Jazz shows at Manoribel with Indian greats like Louis Banks, Sivamani and Karl Peters performing. And now 'I Love Jazz'

Wondering when I first heard a good Jazz song, my memory takes me back to a Zonal Singing competition I participated in at the parish when I was around 12... and my best competitor - a pretty girl - danced across the stage, dressed in a horizontal striped top (looking like a jailbird) and singing 'Mack The Knife'.

About five years later, I had my own Jazz performance that landed me in the top five at the most prestigious inter college competition in Mumbai (Malhar) - Frank Sinatra going to 'New York, New York'.

Got introduced to Instrumental Jazz at the Radio station with this track by Dave Brubeck... you got it... 'Take Five'.

One evening while I was sitting in the broadcasting studios of All India Radio, a friend walked in to play his selection of music on the YuvVani show... and his opening track was this instrumental from a group that had a name from our biology books in school - Spyrogyra. 

Smooth Jazz at its very best... I've got lots of it in my collection.... including Latin Jazz. And if you are on a hangover of International Dance Day yesterday... Heres 'Salsa Kenny'

While the beginnings of jazz were done in Southern parts of the US, two of my favorite jazz singers of today are from up in Canada. 

The lovely lady with 'Temptation', Diana Krall and the handsome guy who's 'Feeling Good', Michael Buble.

Diana Krall will be among the performers at the White House celebration of International Jazz Day. The line-up includes a famous Indian... our very own tabla maestro, Zakir Hussain. 

Among the many concerts lined up today, there is a special one that's on right now in India's very own Jazz Haven - Aamche Goa. A friend that I've met at recordings back in the '90s, Colin D'Cruz, is active in the Goa Jazz circuits and has been promoting a new category of Jazz - hold your breath.... Konkani Jazz. 

After all these songs, we've barely scratched the surface... Will be back with more Jazz music as part of my #MusicalBirthday and other posts.... Stay tuned...

I'll leave you with a quote from an early jazzman... the writer and singer of the American Songbook.... George Gershwin.

Ella... and All That Jazz

Ninety nine years ago today was born a girl who would change the face of music forever. She was born in the spring, heading into 'Summertime'.

I've heard that song being sung as a lullaby... It probably was for her as well. 

And as she grew up, she played the games that little girls did... 'A-Tisket, A-Tasket'

and enjoyed chewing 'Chew. Chew, Chew (Your Bubblegum)'

The 'First Lady of Song', the 'Queen of Jazz' - Lady Ella Fitzgerald came from humble beginnings possibly singing in the streets of Harlem till she won a contest at the Amateur Nights at the Apollo Theater. But then she probably performed across the length and breadth of America joining people as they 'Take The A Train'

Collaborating with some of the greatest musicians of all time from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and I just love the touch of 'Louis Armstrong' - with songs from the American Songbook. 

Need a lesson in music? Take a lesson from Ella... 

'It Don't Mean a Thing If You Ain't Got That Swing'. From 'Swinging the Blues' to the Samba - the 'One Note Samba' - this is what the call scatting.

Ella Fitzgerald indeed gave her all to music - 'All Of Me'. 

That's one of my favorites that I've tried my voice at. Check our my version at soundcloud.

Back to Ella, we can only cherish all the music she's given us and listen to her advice to  "Dream A Little Dream of Me".