First Draft

I’m not in Paris but it’s April. That’s why I picked April In Paris by Vernon Duke and Yip Harburg as this week’s selection. It was written in 1932 for a Broadway musical that nobody’s ever heard of so we’ll skip the name. The song, however, is memorable.

We begin this week’s promenade down memory lane with  Ella & Louis:

It’s vocalese time with Lambert, Hendricks & Bavan:

Back in the day, every singer wanted to work with Nelson Riddle. In 1961, Rosemary Clooney’s wish was granted.

Sammy and Basie. Careful with that cigarette, Sammy.

What’s a Friday Cocktail Hour without a Jazz instrumental version of the week’s song? This week we’re doubling your pleasure by offering two; Charlie Parker followed by Yehudi Menuhin & Stephane Grapelli in a futile attempt to give the proceedings some class.

That’s it for this week. Mix yourself a cocktail and toast the end of another week. It’s what Bogie, Betty, and Frank would want. Never argue with them.