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Midnight Sun (Lionel Hampton and Sonny Burke song)

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"Midnight Sun" (1954) was originally an instrumental composed by Lionel Hampton and Sonny Burke in 1947 and is now considered a jazz standard. Subsequently, Johnny Mercer wrote the words to the song. One famous recording of the song with the Mercer lyrics is by Ella Fitzgerald on her 1957 album Like Someone in Love. Fitzgerald recorded the song again for her 1964 album Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Johnny Mercer Songbook. She recorded it for a third time in 1975 with jazz pianist Oscar Peterson on the Pablo release Ella and Oscar.

Contents

Story behind the lyrics

According to Philip Furia, Johnny Mercer was driving along the freeway from Palm Springs to Hollywood, California, when he heard the instrumental on his car radio and started to set words to the song as he drove.

Notable recordings

  • Lionel Hampton Orchestra – Original instrumental recording in 1947 (Decca L 4546), Lionel Hampton Apollo Hall Concert 1954 (1955), on single featuring Buddy Rich on drums recorded in 1955 (Clef, later on Here's Gates), Hamp in Japan (1966), and Live in Europe (1980)
  • Tony BennettThe Good Things in Life (1972)
  • Dee Dee BridgewaterDear Ella (1997), Live at Yoshi's (1998)
  • Chuck Brown - Go Go Swing Live (1986)
  • Kate CeberanoKate Ceberano and her Septet (1987)
  • June ChristySomething Cool (1954), Road Show (1959), A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening (1986)
  • Holly ColeShade (2003)
  • Lou DonaldsonMidnight Sun (1960, released 1980), Musty Rusty (1966)
  • Bob DoroughDevil May Care (1956)
  • Duke Ellington's Spacemen – The Cosmic Scene (1958)
  • Ellery EskelinTrio New York II (instrumental, 2013)
  • Art Farmer and Bill Evans – Modern Art (1958, released 2004)
  • Ella Fitzgerald – Like Someone in Love (1957), Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Johnny Mercer Songbook (1964), and Ella and Oscar (1975)
  • Renée FlemingHaunted Heart (2005)
  • The Four FreshmenMore 4 Freshmen and 5 Trombones (1964)
  • Coleman Hawkins – single recorded 1952 (The Hawk Talks, 1958, on various compilations)
  • Ahmad Jamal - Digital Works (1985)
  • Harry James - Dancing In Person With Harry James At The Hollywood Palladium (Columbia CL-562, 1954)
  • Al JarreauAccentuate the Positive (2004)
  • Quincy Jones featuring Al Jarreau – The 75th Birthday Celebration (2009)
  • Stan Kenton and His Orchestra – Road Show (1959)
  • Barney KesselVol. 3: To Swing or Not to Swing (1955)
  • Abbey LincolnWholly Earth (1998)
  • Julie LondonJulie (1958)
  • Arthur LymanCall of the Midnight Sun (1965)
  • Rebecca MartinMiddlehope (2001)
  • Brother Jack McDuff – The Midnight Sun (1963, released 1968)
  • Carmen McRae"Live" & Wailing (1968)
  • Willie MitchellThe Many Moods of Willie Mitchell (1969)
  • Paul Motian Trio 2000 + Two – On Broadway Volume 5 (2008)
  • Cæcilie NorbyFirst Conversation (2002)
  • Art Pepper, Bob Cooper et al. – Showcase for Modern Jazz (1957)
  • Tito PuenteThe Exciting Tito Puente Band in Hollywood (1962)
  • Flora PurimMidnight Sun (1988)
  • Dianne ReevesWhen You Know (2008)
  • Diane Schuur and Maynard FergusonSwingin' for Schuur (2001)
  • Bria SkonbergBria (2016)
  • Jimmy SmithA New Sound... A New Star... (1956)
  • Jo StaffordJo + Jazz (1960)
  • Mel Tormé – A Vintage Year (1987)
  • Bobby TroupThe Songs of Bobby Troup (1955)
  • Sarah VaughanSarah Sings Soulfully (1963)
  • Nancy WilsonLush Life (1967)
  • References

    Midnight Sun (Lionel Hampton and Sonny Burke song) Wikipedia


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