I just recently learned that Strayhorn wrote this while he was incredibly young. That’s very compelling to me, because I’ve thought a lot about how music gets inside someone and comes out again. Anyhow, this is a masterpiece, in the original (archaic) sense of the word indicating a work submitted by an apprentice to attain the rank of master within his guild.
My notes: I worked with the Real Book chart, but had some real issues with a few of the changes. The last phrase of the verse is a reharmonization I came up with on one run through, with the root walking down chromatically all the way to the first chord of the refrain. I made some corrections to a couple spots in the refrain based on listing to various recordings, notably Ella’s version which is with piano accompiniment by Paul Smith and is outstanding. I may post a corrected lead sheet if I get enough requests. I don’t play the bass note under the first part of the verse, just because I like the effect of the bass entering later, adding to the texture that’s established.
Hey Mr,this is the most beautiful song of the world to me!and you play very nice with your stile and greats harmonys.congratulations from Brazil
Comment by edsontavora — December 3, 2007 @ 9:50 pm
Sounds great, man. You really kept with the vibe of the original tune--no showboating or stunting the notes in an unnatural fashion.By chance, do you have written music for this piece? I'd love to learn it.
Comment by kameisama — June 3, 2007 @ 1:24 am
perfect.
Comment by aaronpiano — February 26, 2007 @ 3:49 am
Wonderful Job! I will try to learn this tune and would be happy to play it as well as you did.
Comment by beatniksoul — February 18, 2007 @ 12:39 am
beautiful
Comment by chrisrowsc — February 9, 2007 @ 5:54 pm
I can't get enough of this video! What a great version, I would kill to be able to play piano well!
Comment by nantucketsleighrider — December 25, 2006 @ 2:46 pm
lovely version. just did an animation with the same tune if you feel inclned to check it out.
Comment by edissodead — December 13, 2006 @ 9:31 pm
man, you are totally killin. i dig it
Comment by CSRjazz — November 13, 2006 @ 8:59 pm
Man, that was great!
Comment by nantucketsleighrider — September 6, 2006 @ 5:35 am
this is a comment from the blog.
Comment by Rob — August 29, 2006 @ 4:39 pm
another blog comment.
Comment by Rob — August 29, 2006 @ 11:44 pm