Though penned by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell in 1930, most people associate this sublime jazz song with Ray Charles’ transcendent 1960 recording which topped the US Billboard 100. – Charles Waring 32: Ray Charles – Georgia On My Mind
The musical synergy generated by both musicians is undeniable. Released on a 78 rpm single in 1937, this song – co-written by guitar genius Reinhardt with French violinist Stephane Grappelli – epitomized the stomping gypsy jazz style that set Europe alight in the 1930s. – Sam Armstrong 33: Django Reinhardt – Minor Swing Leaving aside how beautiful the actual singing is (and it is stunning), the circumstances of the recording gave it a deep, added resonance. One of the best jazz songs ever came in the form of an unlikely duet: Natalie Cole sang with a recording of her legendary father, Nat King Cole.
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In 1980, Calloway famously performed his signature tune in the smash hit movie The Blues Brothers. Riddled with veiled drug references and famous for its nonsensical, ad-libbed “scat” lyrics, this 1931 jazz song sold over a million copies. – Charles Waring 35: Cab Calloway – Minnie The Moocher This Nebraska ivory tickler had the distinction of being the only musician to take a piano-led instrumental to the summit of Billboard’s pop charts with his grandiose rendition of the French song “Autumn Leaves” in 1955. – Charles Waring 36: Roger Williams – Autumn Leaves With its quirky chromatic melody, the much-covered “Well You Needn’t” was written by the pianist/composer dubbed the “High Priest of Bebop,” who first recorded the tune in 1947 and re-recorded it at regular intervals throughout his career. From it is this transcendent, Amy Winehouse-enhanced version of the 1930 standard, also covered by legends such as Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, and Etta James. Released to celebrate the legendary crooner’s 85th birthday, Tony Bennett’s Duets II gave him his first Billboard 200 chart topped. – Charles Waring 41: Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse – Body & Soul – Charles Waring 42: Modern Jazz Quartet – Djangoĭistinguished by Milt Jackson’s crystalline vibes sound, the Modern Jazz Quartet’s elegant chamber jazz style is epitomized by this haunting 1954 instrumental, written by the band’s pianist John Lewis as a homage to his friend, jazz guitar great Django Reinhardt, who had died the previous year. It’s the musical equivalent of soul food. Hammond organ hero Jimmy Smith broke into the US Hot 100 in 1965 when he teamed up with guitarist Kenny Burrell and drummer Grady Tate to record this punchy, blues-infused instrumental. – Charles Waring 43: Jimmy Smith – Organ Grinder Swing – Charles Waring 44: Ahmad Jamal – PoincianaĪ pianist with a delicate touch from Pittsburgh, Ahmad Jamal‘s name is synonymous with “Poinciana,” an obscure 1930s pop song that became both a hit single and the cornerstone of his 1958 million-selling LP, At The Pershing: But Not For Me. – Sam Armstrong 45: George Shearing – Lullaby of Birdlandīlind from birth, London-born pianist George Shearing reaped acclaim in America in the late 1940s and early 50s with his mix of swing and bebop it was a unique sound crystallized by “Lullaby of Birdland,” a jazz song originally written in 1952 to advertise the famous New York club with the same name. The song has been covered countless times, but Krall’s restrained delivery is a master class in doing a lot with a little. – Sam Armstrong 46: Diana Krall – The Look of Loveīurt Bacharach and Hal David’s patient bossa nova is the perfect canvas for the gorgeous voice of Diana Krall, one of the greatest modern jazz vocalists. It’s played every time the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team takes the court. The most famous version, however, is by Brother Bones and His Shadows. This tune has been covered by plenty of jazz luminaries, Art Tatum, Bud Powell, and Django Reinhart included. – Charles Waring 47: Brother Bones and His Shadows – Sweet Georgia Brown The jazz song gained wider exposure after London was featured singing it in the 1956 hit movie, The Girl Can’t Help It. Over 500 renditions of this classic Arthur Hamilton-penned ballad exist, which all followed in the wake of torch song specialist Julie London’s original version recorded in 1955. – Charles Waring 48: Julie London – Cry Me A River One of his biggest jazz songs was the romantic interpretation he gave to pianist Erroll Garner’s evergreen ballad “Misty” in 1959, which reached No. With his lush velvet croon, Johnny Mathis became a world-conquering pop idol in the late 1950s.