“Autumn Leaves”: The Anatomy of Jazz’s Most Famous Standard

“Autumn Leaves”: The Anatomy of Jazz’s Most Famous Standard

If you know anything about jazz, then you’re familiar with Nat King Cole’s 1955 recording of the jazz standard “Autumn Leaves.” I’m sure you know the beautiful lyrics of melancholy and heartbreak: “The falling leaves drift by the window / The autumn leaves of red and gold / I see your lips, the summer kisses / The sun-burned hands I used to hold / Since you went away the days grow long / And soon I’ll hear old winter’s song / But I miss you most of all my darling / When autumn leaves start to fall . . .”

With more than a thousand commercial recordings by mainstream musicians, “Autumn Leaves” is one of the most recorded jazz songs of all time! But do you know the history and evolution of this famous jazz standard? Did you know that the song is actually an English adaptation of a French song? And did you know that the original composer was Hungarian?

Hungarian Joseph Kosma was introduced to Parisian Jacques Prévert in Paris and the two began collaborating on the song, “Les Feuilles Mortes,” which means “The Dead Leaves.” Kosma drew inspiration from his ballet music compositions, as well as Jules Massenet’s “Poème d’octobre No. 4,” and Tchaikovsky’s 1888 Hamlet Overture-Fantasia, Op. 67. The song was completed in 1945 and officially published in 1947.

The most successful recording of “Les Feuilles Mortes” was by Yves Montand in 1949 and sold a million copies within 5 years. Then in 1950, Johnny Mercer wrote the English lyrics, which consist of only two verses, are significantly shorter than the French version. There was also an instrumental piano recording by Roger Williams that topped the Billboard charts in 1955. Over the years, over 1,400 versions have been produced!

So, this autumn, why not have a listen to a few different versions, and see which “Autumn Leaves” is your favorite? Or if you’re a beginner jazz musician, you may want to try playing the song. With its simple AABC form, it’s a great way to become acquainted with jazz harmony.

Did you know that this same form can be found in some of Night is Alive’s music? Check out our albums page and let us know which tunes you can find! Who knows? You might even hear this famous tune “quoted” in improvisational sections…

Here are a few memorable versions of “Autum Leaves” to kick off your listening:

Édith Piaf – Autumn Leaves – 1951

The Ray Charles Singers – Autumn Leaves – 1955

Doris Day – Autumn Leaves – 1956

Frank Sinatra – Autumn Leaves – 1957

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written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash

Country Jazz for the County Fair

Country Jazz for the County Fair

The county fair is an American staple. At the end of every summer, when I was a kid, I looked forward to the corn dogs, funnel cakes, and turkey legs! Oh and don’t forget about the fried oreos, fried cheese curds and fried pickles. One time I even had a pickle popsicle. But besides the many delicious treats, there are also livestock and agricultural shows, rides and games, and live entertainment. The county fair is a fun-filled time for the whole family, so, of course, at Night is Alive, we’ve got a country jazz playlist for your weekend!

Janis Siegel, John Di Martino, Aaron Heick & others – Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue

The end of the summer is bittersweet, and sometimes, like a summer love or heartbreak, it can make your brown eyes blue. But like this jazzy rendition of Crystal Gayle’s beloved ballad, from Night is Alive’s album Cryin’ In My Whiskey, the end doesn’t have to be heavy and dark. There is also a lightness to be found in endings because that means a new beginning is right around the corner!

Willie Nelson – All of Me

This was originally a 1931 jazz standard written by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons. Then in his 1978 album Stardust, Nelson recorded a jazz-inflected version that became a major country hit! So, while you’re dabbing on your blush and applying your lipstick for the county fair, why not listen to the song that entreats a lover to come back. Like Gayle’s tune, this song also somehow ends on a jubilant note.

Janis Siegel, John Di Martino, Aaron Heick & others – Whenever You Come Around

So many country songs are about heartbreak and sadness, but Vince Gill’s famous 1994 hit captures those moments of pure giddiness when love finds you. Is there a special sweetheart that you might bump into at the county fair? Or maybe you’re going with your sweetheart of many years, and you can reminisce on your early days when holding hands still caused you so many butterflies! Either way, this jazzy rendition, from Night is Alive’s album Cryin’ In My Whiskey, will give you heart eyes this fair season.

Louis Armstrong – Your Cheatin’ Heart

Written and recorded by country music legend, Hank Williams, this song is regarded as one of the country genre’s most important standards. On a drive from Nashville, Tennessee to Shreveport, Louisiana in 1952, Williams was inspired to write this song. In the car, he was describing his first wife to his fiance, and said she was a “cheatin’ heart.” Only a year later, jazz legend Louis Armstrong recorded a re-imagining of the tune with swinging rhythms.

Janis Siegel, John Di Martino, Aaron Heick & others – Are You Alright?

Released in 2007 as the first single from Lucinda Williams’s eighth album, this song is a comforting reminder to check in on yourself and others. Maybe you had a bit too much to drink, or a few too many funnel cakes at the fair, and you’re not feeling that good. It’s okay to say goodbye to all that, and go home. Let this jazzy rendition, from Night is Alive’s album Cryin In My Whiskey remind you to take care of yourself!

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Denise Jans on Unsplash

Happy Birthday to Charlie Parker!

Happy Birthday to Charlie Parker!

If Charlie Parker were still alive, he would be turning 106 this August 29th! The American jazz saxophonist, bandleader and composer was a frontrunner in the development of bebop, which is a style of jazz characterized by advanced harmonies, fast tempos and virtuosic technique. He brought groundbreaking rhythm and harmony into jazz, such as rapid passing chords, chord substitutions and new variants of altered chords. But Parker was more than just a musician, he was an icon for the hipster subculture and Beat Generation, and embodied uncompromising artistry and intellectualism rather than just entertainment.

Born in Kansas City, Kansas, Charles Parker’s father was a pianist, dancer and singer on the Theatre Owners Booking Association circuit. At Catholic school, Parker sang in the choir, and at age 11 he began playing the saxophone. Then at age 14, he joined the Lincoln High School Band, and his mother bought him a new alto saxophone. In 1935, he withdrew from high school to pursue music full-time by joining the local musicians’ union.

Parker went through some hardships–a divorce, drug addiction and car accident that led to three broken ribs and a fractured spine–but he continued developing his sound and working with a pianist and guitarist. In 1939, Parker moved to New York City to pursue his musical career, where, after working part-time jobs to earn a living, Parker finally achieved his musical breakthrough. He developed a new improvisational vocabulary that later became known as “bebop.”

Charlie Parker – Ornithology

Fun fact: Did you know that Charlie Parker was nicknamed “Bird” or “Yardbird” for his legendary love for eating chicken? This 1946 song’s title cleverly makes a reference to this beloved nickname. “Ornithology” showcases contrafact, which is a practice that was developed by Parker and involved writing original melodies over existing jazz forms and standards. In this case, the newly-created melody was written over the standard “How High the Moon.”

Charlie Parker – Now’s the Time

The titular track of the 1956 studio album, “Now’s the Time” is one of Charlie Parker’s most important compositions. The song bridges Parker’s roots in traditional Kansas City blues with the new radical rhythmic language of bebop. The 12-bar blues written in the key of F features a simple but catchy six-note repeating riff. The song also became an anthem for the power and urgency of modern art, with artist Jean-Michel Basquiat famously painting a massive tribute to the vinyl record.

Charlie Parker – Ko-Ko

This 1945 bebop recording begins with a harmonically ambiguous introduction that quickly moves to a B flat major at the start of Parker’s first solo chorus. The harmony becomes based on the chord changes of Ray Noble’s song “Cherokee.” Max Roach’s drum solo ends the transition and the closing echoes the introduction but with an unexpected change. Enjoy this frantic, high-speed masterpiece on Charlie Parker’s birthday!

Can you hear any Parker-inspired music in our own Night is Alive albums? You can listen on our Youtube page or add music from our various albums to your Spotify playlist. And of course, the very best in jazz is always available on Night is Alive’s albums page.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo from Charlie Parker’s official website.

Happy Birthday to Wayne Shorter!

Happy Birthday to Wayne Shorter!

This August 25th would have been Wayne Shorter’s 93rd birthday were he still alive. The legendary jazz saxophonist, composer and bandleader had a career that spanned more than six decades and included 12 Grammy Awards! Shorter was particularly influential and acclaimed globally for his compositional depth, originality and transformative approach to improvisation.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Shorter began taking clarinet lessons at age 16 and then switched to tenor saxophone. He attended New York University and graduated in 1956 with a degree in music education. After two years in the U.S. Army, Shorter began his musical career by playing with Maynard Ferguson. In 1959, he joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, which brought him into mainstream prominence. He quickly became the main composer of the ensemble and helped to define its artistic voice.

Shorter then joined Miles Davis’s Second Great Quintet in 1964. In 1970, he co-founded the jazz fusion band Weather Report, which reinterpreted the possibilities of electric jazz and achieved international success. Throughout his career as a bandleader, Shorter recorded over twenty albums, many of which became long-lasting jazz standards. The most notable and trademark traits of his music include philosophical depth, harmonic sophistication and narrative structure. Additionally, his mastery of the soprano saxophone was highly admired.

In honor of Wayne Shorter, we put together a few of his most beloved songs for your listening:

Weather Report – The Moors

From The Weather Report’s sophomore 1972 album, this jazz-fusion tune opens with a long solo by Ralph Towner that sounds very unique due to its aggressive, unconventionally detuned 12-string acoustic guitar. After the introductory guitar, the band explodes with a rich, pulsating rhythm. Shorter’s signature soprano saxophone pierces through with memorable melodies. Joe Zawinul’s electric piano creates an energetic, swirling energy.

Weather Report – Sightseeing

This fast-paced, bebop-influenced song almost feels like a workout with its lively, frenetic energy. The stripped-back sound makes it stand out from the other highly synthesized tracks on the album. Shorter’s tenor saxophone is really showcased. His sharp, complex melody plays over a driving swing rhythm. No wonder this 1979 album, 8:30, won a Grammy for the Best Jazz Fusion Performance!

Wayne Shorter – “On the Milky Way Express”

From Wayne Shorter’s 1995 album High Life, this tune blends a steady, infectious funk groove with cinematic orchestration and Shorter’s trademark soaring sax. This album departed from the jazz-fusion works that Shorter had done after leaving Weather Report. In High Life, synthesized instruments were used more subtly and the compositions were seen to be more complex. The album also featured a thirty-piece orchestral ensemble!’

Can you hear any Shorter-inspired music in our own Night is Alive albums? You can listen on our Youtube page or add music from our various albums to your Spotify playlist. And of course, the very best in jazz is always available on Night is Alive’s albums page.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo from Wayne Shorter’s Facebook page.

Christmas in July

With these sweltering temperatures and the recent smoke that was rolling in from the Canadian wildfires, you may be finding yourself reminiscing for a simpler, cooler time: Christmas season. Ah, there’s nothing like the beautiful white blanketing of fresh, pristine snow over a landscape to put you in a good mood. And the festive, glowing red, green and golden Christmas lights strung on every house. Returning home to see your family and relatives, and share some good cheer. But alas, it is still July, not December, so why not celebrate Christmas in July with some of our most beloved holiday tunes?

Blue Christmas – John Di Martino, Lonnie Plaxico, Wayne Escoffery, and Willie Jones III

“Blue Christmas” is one of my favorite holiday tunes; it just pulls at the heartstrings while also having such a catchy melody. And this jazzy instrumental rendition, from Night is Alive’s album Christmas Ain’t Like It Used To Be, showcases the saxophone while also allowing you–the listener–to take center stage and sing if you’d like! Turn on this tune with your family in the car and you can all sing along together!

Ding Dong Merrily On High – The Bill Cunliffe Trio with Ralph Moore

This original Christmas song from Night is Alive’s album Christmas in the Dog House provides a wonderful ambience to help you relax and unwind after a long day of work. Maybe your job involves being outside, so you come home drained and exhausted from the heat. Enjoy Bill Cunliffe’s lovely piano while you ease yourself into the cool air conditioning!

This Christmas by Night is Alive Featuring Teddy Horangic and Frank Lacy

This groovy rendition of “This Christmas” will be sure to get you up and dancing, and singing along with the stunning vocalists! It may be July, but you can use your imagination to pretend that it’s December. Imagine that you’re returning home for the holidays with a new lover beside you. “Hang all the mistletoe / I’m gonna get to know you better.”

Snow – The Bill Cunliffe Trio with Ralph Moore

There may not be any snow outside your windows right now, but you can dream with this song that captures the magic of snow. Maybe to celebrate Christmas in July this year, you make some fake snow and use it to craft some cute little snowmen, or a snow-covered cottage! Before you know it the weather will cool, the leaves will change and then the magical snow will fall, blanketing our lives and landscape.

Night is Alive’s Home for the Holidays Playlist on YouTube

There are so many wonderful Christmas songs that NiA decided to compile them all together into a few 6 hour-long playlists on YouTube that offer you the coziest setting for your home. Let the fire crackle in the digital fireplace, and allow the jazz holiday tunes to wash over you, while you get all snug on the couch and read a good book this July.

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

The Making of Cryin’ in My Whiskey

There’s nothing like country music in the summer right? A nice southern drawl, some Americana nostalgia and a little heartbreak in the lyrics certainly gets me feeling some type of way. But have you ever thought about combining country and jazz music together? Jazz Journal’s Valentina Addis writes that such a combination is arguably a risk, but Night is Alive pulled it off with their 2021 album, Cryin’ In My Whiskey.

“Cryin’ In My Whiskey effortlessly amalgamates both genres in a setlist of familiar country favourites,” writes Addis. “Led by Siegel’s powerful vocals, the clear narrative often associated with country music weaves itself throughout the album, creating a great combination of emotions for the listener.”

Cryin’ In My Whiskey, a collection of nine reimagined country favorites, is performed by world-class jazz artists: Janis Siegel (vocals), John di Martino (piano), and Lonnie Plaxico (bass), along with saxophonist Harry Allen, Jesse Lewis (guitar), Ross Pederson (drums), Aaron Heick (flute and saxophone), and Amy Cervini (backup vocals). But who are these artists and what exactly went into the making of this innovating, yet easy listening, album?

Over the past four and a half decades, the voice of Janis Siegel, a nine-time Grammy winner and a seventeen-time Grammy nominee, has been an undeniable force in The Manhattan Transfer’s diverse musical catalog. Alongside her career as a founding member of this musical institution, Siegel has also sustained a solo career that has spawned almost a dozen finely-crafted solo albums and numerous collaborative projects, amassed a large international fan base and garnered consistently high critical praise.

John di Martino is a composer, arranger, jazz pianist, producer and educator, based in New York City. He is described as a “shape-shifter,” for his creativity across musical genres. John composed the music for the documentary series “A Glimpse Of Paradise” (Prospera Medienproduktion), aired on Europe’s Arte Channel, and music for the video games “Batman: The Telltale Series.” John has recorded numerous CDs on the High Note and Venus Records (Japan) labels as a leader, and with Freddy Cole, Gloria Lynn, Houston Person, and Nicki Parrott.

Chicago-born Lonnie Plaxico inherited a gift for music that was discovered and nurtured early. At the age of just fourteen, having already performed alongside several prominent Chicago jazz figures, Plaxico turned professional, playing the electric and acoustic bass with equal facility. He has appeared with such luminaries as Sonny Sitt, Junior Cook, David Murray, Alice Coltrane, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Sample, Abbey Lincoln, and Dizzy Gillespie. He has also recorded five critically acclaimed albums as leader. Lonnie Plaxico’s musicianship is probably best expressed in his masterful integration of different forms — combining the rigorous technique of classical, the improvisation of jazz, and the rawness of funk into one exhilarating musical experience.

To get a taste of Cryin’ In My Whiskey, here’s a few tracks:

Whenever You Come Around – Janis Siegel, John di Martino, Lonnie Plaxico & others

In the Jazz Journal, Valentina Addis writes that this opening number, a cover of Vince Gill’s 90s country classic, creates a “chilled, laid-back effect.” She also writes that “Siegel’s interpretations throughout the album are no karaoke performance, but rather an accomplishment of stylistic freshness, almost as if the tracks were intended to be interpreted this way.”

Always On My Mind – Janis Siegel, John di Martino, Lonnie Plaxico & others

Valentina Addis of Jazz Journal writes that she was surprised by the decision to include Always On My Mind, since it has an infamous history of interpretations from Willie Nelson to The Pet Shop Boys. But Addis writes, “Once again Siegel’s approach breathes new life into the melody, accompanied by a reduced, subtle accompaniment over characteristically jazzy harmonies and rhythms.”

To see the full setlist and learn more about Cryin’ In My Whiskey, see the album page here. And to learn more about Janis Siegel, see this Q&A we did with her back in 2021, and also this Q&A too!

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Argentine & Spanish Jazz for the World Cup

The World Cup final is right around the corner, this weekend! Are you excited to see Spain and Portugal kick it out? Maybe you and your friends are putting on some jerseys and getting together for a watch party, or going out for some drinks. It should be a heated game this year with the European champion, Spain, against the winning team of last year’s World Cup, Argentina. While you’re getting ready for the game, what music are you going to listen to? Well, in honor of this year’s World Cup, NiA made you a curated playlist of Argentine and Spanish jazz music. Enjoy! And don’t miss the game on Sunday, July 19 at  3pm E.T.

Oscar Alemán – Bésame Mucho

The original version of this song, written by Mexican concert pianist Conselo Velázquez in 1932 when she was still a teenager, is the most recorded and covered Spanish-language song of all time. Her lyrics about wanting to be kissed a lot and the tenderness of new love resonated with women who were waiting for their husbands to come back from the WWII battlefronts. In 1943, Argentine jazz guitarist Oscar Alemán released a swing guitar rendition that quickly became famous, and will have you and your friends dancing around in no time!

Pedro Iturralde Ochoa – Pequeña Czarda

Ochoa studied clarinet, piano and harmony at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid, and then went on to lead his own jazz quartet that experimented with the combined use of flamenco and jazz. This 1949 composition is a tour de force of the saxophone! Composed when he was just 20 years old, this showpiece blends classical and jazz elements and has remained a pedagogical staple and popular concert repertoire worldwide for decades. Sit back, relax and experience the sweeping landscape of the saxophone.

Roxana Amed – Blue in Green (Sky and Sea)

Amed is an Argentine-American jazz artist who was born in Buenos Aires and is now based in the U.S. She is a vocalist, composer and producer, who has been nominated for a Latin Grammy, and is considered one of the most prominent voices in contemporary South American music. Her music blends South American folk traditions with art rock and modern jazz. Amed’s rendition of Miles Davis’s song offers a soft, groovy and funky vibe that’ll put everyone in a good mood for the World Cup final, no matter who you’re cheering for. After all, what is life if not a dream of blue and green?

Tete Montoliu – Paraules d’Amor

Vicenç Montoliu i Massana, better known as Tete Montoliu, was a Spanish jazz pianist from Catalonia. Montoliu was born blind and learned braille music at only age seven. His styles ran the gamut from hard bop to Afro-Cuban, world fusion and post bop. This beautiful 1969 tune is a jazzy adaptation of Joan Manuel Serrat’s famous song, and showcases Montoliu’s deep roots in Catalan music.

Spinetta Los Amigos – Apenas Floto

Luis Alberto Spinetta was an Argentine singer, guitarist, composer, writer and poet, who was a frontrunner of Argentine rock music. Born in Buenos Aires, Spinetta founded many iconic rock bands, including the Spinetta Los Amigos. Although the Spinetta Los Amigos was only together for this one album, released in 2015, you can hear the years of work and experience that was poured into it. This album grew from several recordings that Spinetta made with his bandmates and friends Daniel Ferrón and Rodolfo García with whom he had previously shared a band.

We hope that you enjoyed learning a bit about Argentine and Spanish jazz musicians. I sure know I did! Now go grab a cold one and let the excitement of the World Cup final wash over you.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Emilio Garcia on Unsplash

Fourth of July Fun!

The Fourth of July weekend is here! What are your plans? This year is the big 250th anniversary, so I bet the festivities are going to be pretty wild. Are you going to a pool party? A cook-out? Lakehouse? Are you watching fireworks? Roasting marshmallows around a fire? Drinking some cold ones at a brewery? No matter what your plans are, Night is Alive has got you covered with a playlist of songs that emanate red, white and blue.

Lonnie Plaxico, Camille Thurman – Free

This groovy song, from the album Radiance, showcases Thurman’s stellar vocals and Plaxico’s cool double bass. The funky effervescent vibe is perfect for sipping a cocktail while lounging next to a pool. Or maybe you’re floating around on a tube inside the shimmering blue waters of the pool. Relax and celebrate freedom!

Harry Allen Trio – It’s Sunny in Cape Cod

It’s been extremely hot and sunny lately, but instead of lamenting about it, why not lean into it and enjoy it? I don’t know about you, but temperatures in the 80s, 90s and 100s make my body feel slower and more lethargic, which can be a wonderful thing on the weekends. Ease into the heat with this lovely tune from Night is Alive’s album It Takes 3. The smooth piano of Rossano Sportiello will naturally help your mind and body unwind.

Aretha Franklin – Spirit in the Dark

The titular song of her seventeenth studio album, this 1970 tune will get you up and dancing in no time! Franklin wrote this song herself and it reflects her experience as an artist of embracing her independence. Cast aside your inhibitions and experience the sheer joy of letting go. Who cares who’s watching? Let your spirit soar!

Lorca Hart Trio – A Time for Love

The Fourth of July is a time for love. It’s a time to honor and celebrate the love you have for your family, friends and country. It’s a time to remind yourself that the greatest thing we have in this life is the experience of loving and being loved. From Night is Alive’s album Inspiration & Gratitude, this song will help you to be grateful for all the love you have in your life.

Janis Siegel and John Di Martino – Always on My Mind

This jazzy rendition of Willie Nelson’s beloved 1982 country classic is perfect listening for a laid-back barbecue with family. Imagine the sun is setting, it’s golden hour, but the fireworks won’t be for a few more hours. The cooking is done, the kitchen is cleaned up and now you can sit down with a nice gold glass of your favorite beverage and transition into the night. For more jazzy twists of country classics, check out Night is Alive’s album Cryin’ in My Whiskey.

Happy 4th of July from the Night is Alive family to you!

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Vivek Kumar on Unsplash

Golden Hour Bossa Nova Jazz

Golden hour is a term usually used in photography to describe the period of daytime shortly after sunrise or before sunset, when daylight is redder and softer than when the sun is high up in the sky. Cinematographers and photographers also sometimes call this time the magic hour because the brightness of the sky matches the streetlights, signs, car headlights and lit windows!

I don’t know about you, but for some reason the golden or magic hour just calls for some bossa nova jazz, especially right before sunset. There’s nothing like driving home after a long workday, watching the red sun soak the scenery in gold, and letting some smooth bossa nova wash over you.

Bossa nova is a relaxed style of Brazilian samba that originated in the late 1950s and early 1960s in Rio de Janeiro. Bossa nova is essentially a simplification and stylization on the guitar of the rhythm produced by a samba school band: it is calm, syncopated with chords and fingerstyles that mimic the beat of a samba groove. The complex chords in bossa nova were not derived from jazz, but the two styles evolved at the same time, and bossa nova was influenced by jazz in the harmonies used and instrumentation of songs. Nowadays, many bossa nova songs are considered jazz standards!

Now let’s listen to a few bossa nova standards to help you unwind and ease into the golden hour:

João Gilberto – Chega de Saudade

This little song made big waves in the Brazilian school of music. Released in April 1959, “Chega de Saudade” was the first composition to showcase Gilberto’s new guitar beat that gave rise to the bossa nova genre. The tune’s harmonies are also particularly sophisticated and the lyrics are elegant.

Stan Getz & João Gilberto – Desafinado

Music historians cite “Desafinado,” released in 1959, as the first official bossa nova. This song was originally composed in response to critics that claimed bossa nova was a genre for singers who can’t actually sing. In Portuguese, “desafinado” means “out of tune” which is meant to mock the criticism. English-language adaptations then emerged that reframe the title as a love song about lovers who have fallen “slightly out of tune.”

Antônio Carlos Jobim & Frank Sinatra – The Girl from Ipanema

“The Girl from Ipanema” is probably one of the most well-known bossa nova songs. With Jobim and Sinatra singing together, the song really represents the fusion of Brazilian bossa nova and American jazz. It became a worldwide hit in the mid-1960s and won a Grammy for Record of the Year in 1965.

Manhã de Carnaval – Elizeth Cardoso

“Manhã de Carnaval,” often also referred to as “Black Orpheus” appeared in the 1959 Portuguese-language film Orfeu Negro, which was a romantic tragedy based on the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice but set in a contemporary favela in Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval. Versions of the song are sung or hummed by the two main characters, which makes it the main musical theme of the film. It was one of the first Bossa Nova compositions to gain popularity outside Brazil, especially in France and the U.S.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Pearse O’Halloran on Unsplash

Chicago Blues Festival

The sun is shining, there is a lightness in the air and kids are celebrating the end of the school year with field day. You know what that means: it’s officially summer! Summer is the season to get outside, spend time with family and friends, and listen to great music. So, why not check out the Chicago Blues Festival? This wonderful festival will combine all the greatest things about summer to create an experience that you’ll cherish forever.

The Chicago Blues Festival will run from Thursday, June 4 to Sunday, June 7 at Ramova Theatre and Millennium Park. That means five days of music and discussion panels to tantalise the senses and nourish the soul! And did you know that entry to the festival is completely free? I know, it’s hard to believe, but it’s true–the Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free Blues festival in the entire world. Some of the highlights this year include Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band, John Primer and Willie Clayton. To browse the full daily schedule, see this link.

If you can’t attend the festival but still want to enjoy some blues music, check out WDCB-FM’s live radio broadcasts that will celebrate the Chicago Blues Festival. These will be held monthly on Bluesday Tuesday and June 4 at noon.

Now to help you decide which musicians to see, Night is Alive will showcase a few of the performers, along with the time and location of their shows:

John Primer

Three-time-Grammy-nominee John Primer will perform on Thursday, June 4 from 7:15-8:30 in the Ramova Theatre. Originally from Mississippi, John Primer is a singer and guitar player known for his role in helping to create the sound and style of the Chicago Blues.

Freddie Dixon Blues Band

The Freddie Dixon Blues Band is a unique blues group that features a violinist and blends the genres of Blues and classical music to offer an unparalleled musical experience. They will be playing on Friday, June 5 from 6:30-7:45 in Rosa’s Lounge (North Promenade) of Millennium Park.

Gerry Hundt Trio

This is another fusion group that mixes Chicago Blues, Surf, Rock, Country and Jazz to produce an unforgettable performance that is tailored to each venue. This trio has performed across Europe and the U.S. If you enjoy Magic Sam, Muddy Waters, Otis Rush and/or Chris Stapleton, then this is the show for you! The Gerry Hundt Trio performs on Saturday, June 6 from 5-6:15 in Rosa’s Lounge (North Promenade).

Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band

The legendary octogenarian Taj Mahal and his three-decade collaborators have made a name for themselves as two-time-Grammy-award-winners with their albums Senor Blues (1997) and Shoutin’ in Key (2000). Now they are taking the stage at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion on Sunday, June 7 from 7:45-9pm. I’m sure their rich sound and rhythmic synergy will provide an electrifying show you won’t want to miss!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Anthony DELANOIX on Unsplash