PIANIST LARA DOWNES PLAYS BILLIE HOLIDAY INSPIRED SONG " BODY & SOUL"

Pianist Lara Downes plays the Billie Holiday inspired song  "Body & Soul."   In 1930, composer Johnny Green wrote an exquisite ballad which was interpolated in a Broadway revue " Three's A Crowd," Coleman Hawkins, a noted tenor sax player recorded the song which popular song archivist Alec Wilder said " Hawkins brought to Green's melody, a rhapsodic exuberance that astonished the ear." Wilder also felt that Body And Soul " Has one of the widest ranges and one of the most complex releases and verses."
  Billie Holiday, the iconic jazz singer who was born 100 year ago, made this as much of a vocal standard as Coleman Hawkins instrumental jazz version
Steinway Artist, Lara Downes, became entranced by Holiday's singing at a very early age and, in addition to her extensive classical training and concertizing, Lara Downes has always retained an intense and comprehensive interest in exploring all manner of American musical traditions.
In this recording, Lara Downes plays with great clarity and sensitivity in such a challenging song , again proving that classical piano training and discipline can adorn popular songs . Lara is aided by a wonderful arrangement by Jed Distler who brings a majestic and respectful approach to Green's  sweeping melody and rich harmonic architecture.
Great music can happen if one begins with a memorable song , an arrangement that honors and extends the essence of the song and  an instrumentalist who adds their unique expressiveness and interpretive power to the performance.
For this performance, we can thank Johnny Green, arranger Jed Distler and Lara Downes for bringing her love of Billie Holiday ( and all that Billie stood for) in her pianistic tribute.

NOTE: This blog does not normally profile instrumental versions of popular songs. Lyrics are so important in conveying the story dimension  However, it was easy to make an exception in this case given the Holiday and Johnny Green song connection ( and the fact that I know and love Lara and her talent. ) Since most people may be familiar with the words of the main strain of the song, they are invited to sing along with Lara.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLvRPOcxk5U

PENSATIVA -GREAT BOSSA NOVA INSTRUMENTAL

Pensativa-Great Bossa Nova Instrumental:   Although this Great American Songbook blog usually deals with songs that have lyrics to tell a story, I must make an exception in the case for Pensativa by Claire Fischer, as played by Rob McConnell and The Boss Brass. There are several reasons: Fischer was a graduate composition student at Michigan State University during my own studies there. I have also been transfixed by the insinuating rhythm of the Bossa Nova Style and, finally, the arrangement is by Rick Wilkins, someone with whom I went to high school in Hamilton, Ontario and who I still see from time to time in Toronto.
Now to the music itself. First there is an elegant fluglehorn solo by Guido Basso, a master of melodic playing with a rich, burnished tone. This is followed by a guitar sole by Ed Bickert who has been identified by both Jim Hall and Paul Desmond as a major jazz soloist. Finally, Rick Wilkins, arranger and tenor player provides a flowing and imaginative solo  with the orchestra.
What always excites me is near the end when Rick creates an orchestral section that features a striking interplay between two orchestral sections playing in different  registers that complement each other while answering and also challenging the other group. It is one of the most innovative piece of sectional writing I have heard played by a large jazz ensemble.

Please listen closely for all the little bits of magic throughout and see if you also find this is remarkable arranging and playing by a wonderful jazz ensemble.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJ6zhHD8c0