Michael Feinstein is back in residence at Feinstein's at The Loews Regency through December 30.This time he's sharing the bill with Broadway legend, Barbara Cook, who is a 2011 Kennedy Center Honors recipient along with Meryl Streep, Neil Diamond, Yo-Yo Ma and Sonny Rollins. Michael Feinstein is a terrific friend and supporter of Jimmy McHugh Music. In 2009 Michael headlined a sold out concert at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall, saluting the music of Jimmy McHugh, as he did a year earlier at Los Angeles's Mark Taper Forum. Barbara Cook also has a close connection to Jimmy McHugh, having starred on the original studio cast album of 'Lucky In The Rain', a 2000 musical comedy built around Jimmy's songs. MichaelFeinstein.com BarbaraCook.com FeinsteinsAtTheRegency.com
It's that time of the year again- Vocalist Steve Tyrell is ringing in the holidays at The Cafe Carlyle. Continuing through New Years Eve, this is the Grammy-winner's seventh return engagement at the chic nightspot. After the passing of the legendary Bobby Short, The Café Carlyle invited Steve to take over their revered Holiday Season which Mr. Short had not missed in 36 years. In his four and a half decades in the music business, Steve Tyrell has achieved great success as an artist, producer, songwriter, music supervisor, and performer gaining a passionate following all over the world. As a record producer, Steve has collaborated with such diverse artists as Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, Linda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville, Mary J Blige, Dolly Parton, Bonnie Raitt, Burt Bacharach, Bette Midler and Stevie Wonder. Steve is a great friend and supporter of Jimmy McHugh Music, performing numerous McHugh standards in concert and on record. We suggest you book a reservation soon as the word is out: Steve Tyrell at The Cafe Carlyle is a guaranteed way "to make the season bright".
In 1963, less than two years after taking America by storm with his first number one record, Fingertips Part Two, 15 year-old Stevie Wonder took time out to record an album of standards. It was his third LP on the Tamla (Motown) label and the first to drop Stevie's nickname, 'Little' Stevie Wonder'. Whenever (and however) possible, Motown Records chief Berry Gordy would strive to reach the widest demographic appeal for the label's artist stable. Consequently Gordy urged Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and other Motown stars to record music from the Great American Songbook. Although the time was not right for Stevie's album to capture the mature adult audience Berry Gordy sought, it nonetheless is a undiscovered gem that definitely warrants attention. Veteran jazz man Ernie Wilkins did a brilliant job of arranging and conducting the album which is highlighted by Jimmy McHugh'sOn The Sunny Side Of The Street.
Searching around the internet we discovered that Bob Dylan has performed Jimmy McHugh's'I'm In The Mood For Love'in concert a number of times over the years. It is exactly what you would expect a Dylan version of 'I'm In The Mood For Love'to sound like, complete with harmonica and the kind of slight Crosby-esque croon he used on his album 'Self Portrait'. Unfortunately, as of yet, we haven't been able to track down a recording of Mr. Dylan performing the song. Instead we decided to treat you to a somewhat different version of the tune as performed by the iconic 'Little Rascal star, Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer. The song was featured in a 1936 'Our Gang Comedy'short. It been said (also on the internet) that I'm In The Mood For Love is Alfalfa's signature song. Here's the link. Enjoy!
Duke Ellington‘s Cotton Club Parade, opens November 18 at New York City Center. Cotton Club Parade is a celebration of Ellington’s years at the famed Harlem nightclub in the 1920s and early ’30s, when the joint was jumping with revues featuring big bands, swing and blues, dancers, singers and novelty acts.
The Cotton Club Parade re-imagines one of the world famous Cotton Club floor shows. It will feature the renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, who also serves as music director.
Jimmy McHugh, who was the Cotton Club’s musical director, discovered Ellington at a small New Jersey club. He was responsible for booking Duke and his Band into the famed nightspot for a two-week engagement, which turned into a four-year residency at the Club.
Legendary performers such as the Nicholas Brothers, Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters, Snake Hips Tucker, Peg Leg Bates and a 16-year old Lena Horne all performed at the Cotton Club.
As in the original revues, Cotton Club Parade will feature singers, dancers and variety acts, and songs by the greatest jazz composers of the time, including Jimmy McHugh (I Can’t Give You Anything But Love and Diga Diga Doo).
Cotton Club Parade will run for six performances only November 18-22, 2011
Masterworks Broadway, a subsidiary label of Sony Masterworks, is re-releasing classic recordings of songs from 'Blackbirds of 1928' the pioneering, all-black musical written by Jimmy McHugh & Dorothy Fields.
These are the only recordings of songs from this landmark score, presented as they were originally performed. Taken directly from the original masters, they have never before been available digitally.
Adelaide Hall
Originally recorded in 1953, the recording features the legendary Cab Calloway and Thelma Carpenter performing I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby, Diga-Diga-Doo and other McHugh/Fields classics.
The show, which was the first Broadway success for composer Jimmy McHugh and lyricist Dorothy Fields, became the longest running all-black show on the New York stage. Directed by producer Lew Leslie, it starred Adelaide Hall, Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson and Mantan Moreland.
Set for release November 15, 2011 , Blackbirds of 1928 will be available as a digital download and disc-on-demand with the original cover art and new liner notes at Arkivmusic.com and Amazon.com.
Self-taught pianist Jean-Michel Pilc has built his jazz reputation by playing with the likes of Roy Haynes and Michael Brecker.
Pilc’s technique evokes Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson but demonstrates imagination that is entirely his own.
Jean-Michel’s standing as one of his generation’s best is solidified with his newest release, Essential.
The album is highlighted by his very original take on Jimmy’s Too Young to GoSteady, on which the pianist sticks close to McHugh’s melody, while playing up the minor harmonics.
Oscar Peterson Plays The Jimmy McHugh Songbook (originally released in 1959) has recently been re-released on Solar Records.
In addition to guest artists Stan Getz and Lester Young, The Oscar Peterson Trio which included jazz mainstays Ray Brown, Ed Thigpen and alternately, Barney Kessell or HerbEllis,are all present and accounted for on this newly issued 22 track gem.
At age 85, Tony Bennett is now the most senior artist ever to top Billboard’s Pop album chart.
His new release, Duets II, debuted in the #1 slot it’s first week in release. As hard to believe as it is, it’s Tony’s first Number One album!
Duets II teams Tony with the late Amy Winehouse, LadyGaga, Aretha Franklin and Willie Nelson along with several other top tier artists.
It goes without saying (but we will anyway) that On TheSunny Side Of The Street as performed by Messrs Bennett and Nelson is one for the books, but then again, so is the entire album.
Here’s a link to Willie’s earlier solo recording of On The Sunny Side Of The Street.
Here’s a story about Jimmy McHugh’s I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby that not only tickles our fancy, but was a major turning point for Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons.
The legendary producer/writer, Bob Crewe, had been recording the group in vain, searching for a hit record. Hoping for inspiration, he would often catch The Seasons perform at a small, out of the way club in Point Pleasant, New Jersey.
Finally late one night, Crewe glimpsed a side of Frankie Valli he'd never seen before.
"Frankie did a thing that night that blew me away.” says Bob. ‘He put a bandana over his head, took two maracas and stuck them under his coat (for breasts), and began singing 'I Can't Give You Anything But Love' like (1940s cabaret singer) Nellie Lutcher, with that high voice."
Frankie Valli & Bob Crewe
From this silly one-off improvised routine Bob suddenly recognized a sound that just might score the group a hit record.
Crewe continues "I said to (group member and composer) Bob (Gaudio), 'Go write a song for Frankie with that chichi voice, and jump it an octave.'"
After several false starts, Gaudio came up with an infectious number called Sherry, the first of the band’s 28 Top 20 hits.
Not only did this unmatched string of hits eventually morph into the international smash musical, Jersey Boys, it also enabled Frankie to not pursue his fallback career choice, becoming a barber!
PS: Jersey Boys features three Jimmy McHugh songs, I’m In The Mood For Love, Moody’s Mood For Love and, of course, I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby.
Here’s a link to Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons performing that tune.
All three are popular Jamaican Ska bands that recorded fresh and totally original versions of Jimmy McHugh’sI’m In The Mood For Love.
Ska music originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s mixing Caribbean Calypso sounds with American Jazz and Rhythm & Blues, paving the way for Bob Marley’s brand of Reggae.
While all three groups are Ska through and through, each gives this McHugh gem their own unique twist.
I’m In The Mood For Love, as performed by the mighty Lord Tatamo and The Skatalites, sticks closest to the traditional Ska sound.
The Administrators offer an inadvertent tribute to The HiLos, a 1950s acappela jazz quartet that took their name from their extreme vocal range.
Last, but definitely not least, the I.Roy & The Heptones’ treatment conjures the spirit of Louis Prima & Keely Smith.
All three interpretations are absolutely amazing.
Links to the three tracks are below. All are definitely worth a listen.
The Austin-based Hot Club of Cowtown have to be the most globe-trotting, hardest-swinging Western Swing trio on the planet. They have played stadiums opening for such artists as Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson and bring their brand of western swing to a wide range of festival audiences all over the world.
Jimmy McHugh’s Diga Diga Doo is just about the most perfect example of 1920’s Hot Jazz.
On tour Hot Club of Cowtown give a show-stopping performance of the tune.
We’ve unearthed a clip of HCC absolutely knocking Diga Diga Doo ‘out of the park’ on BBC Television's Later with Jools Holland, Wonderfully eclectic music program.
We hope you’ll take a minute to click the link below to hear Jimmy’s iconic hot jazz classic and discover Hot Club of Cowtown.
A couple of days ago we saw something on television that we at Jimmy McHugh Music would like to share with you.
MSNBC’s The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell featured a three-minute montage of the many cameo appearances made by the Twin Towers in films directed by such world-class filmmakers as Mike Nichols, Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen and Sidney Lumet to name but a few.
The short was created by New York filmmaker, Dan Meth, as a unique and fitting tribute to the memory of the thousands of people lost that day.
We hope you’ll take three minutes to view this moving and sadly beautiful tribute.
Before Aretha Franklin signed with Atlantic Records and gained worldwide ‘Respect’ for being a ‘Natural Woman’, she recorded a string of albums for Columbia Records.
Aretha was just 19 when the legendary auteur John Hammond (who ‘discovered’ Billie Holliday and Bob Dylan) began grooming her for stardom.
Many of the period’s best producers, arrangers and conductors came on board to work with Aretha, including Robert Mersey (Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams) and Richard Wess (Bobby Darin).
With a voice that was matured way beyond her years, Hammond decided that the future Queen of Soul record material tailored for an adult audience, so naturally they turned to the Great American Songbook.
It goes without saying (but we’ll say it anyway) that at the top of the Aretha’s song list was Jimmy McHugh’s Where Are You.
One summer night in 1959, at The Hollywood Bowl, Bobby Darin headlined a salute to the music of Jimmy McHugh. It was called I Feel a Song Coming On.
The 21-year old wunderkind had just exploded onto the national scene, winning Record of the Year for his breakthrough hit, Mack The Knife, at the first ever Grammy Awards Ceremony.
Bobby sang I Feel A Song Comin' On, On The Sunny Side Of The Street, Comin' In On A Wing And A Prayer, I Won't Dance, I Can't Give You Anything But Love, I Couldn't Sleep A Wink Last Night and Let's Get Lost.
Conductor Buddy Bregman led the mammoth 105 piece orchestra, which included a 55 member string section!
Rounding out the salute to Jimmy’s music was Vic Damone and the gorgeous Italian actress and singer Anna Maria Alberghetti. Among the McHugh songs they performed was Can't Get Out Of This Mood, When You and I Were Young Maggie Blues and When My Sugar Walks Down The Street.
The show ended with Jimmy Bobby, Vic and Anna Marie singing A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening.
Most recently screening on CineMax’s MAX HD channel, this epic crime drama, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is centered around the famed Harlem Jazz Club of the 1920’s, The Cotton Club.
The 1984 film features several Jimmy McHugh songs including Exactly Like You and his iconic ‘hot jazz’ barn-burner, Diga Diga Doo.
Jimmy was the club’s first Musical Director a coveted position which he held during the Club’s most celebrated years. Under his musical direction he discovered Duke Ellington and brought the young, novice songwriter Dorothy Fields to the Club to write songs with him.
Richard Gere, Diane Lane and Gregory Hines head up the cast which includes Nicolas Cage, Bob Hoskins, Laurence Fishburne, Maurice Hines and Gwen Verdon.
Doo Wop idols, The Duprees, held their own during the British Invasion, scoring a string of hits between 1962-1966 with standards like Jimmy McHugh’s Where Are You.
The Duprees were formed in the streets of New Jersey, just like those other Jersey Boys, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Every night these five leather-jacketed high school buddies rehearsed on the same street corner, under the same street light and every night they were chased away by the same local beat cop!
Luckily a friend of one of the boys had a cousin who had a friend who knew former big band leader George Paxton, who had just started up a label, Coed Records. Having written arrangements for Bunny Berigan, Charlie Spivak, Vaughn Monroe and Sammy Kaye, Paxton recognized the potential for recording updated versions of classic American standards. Guided by Paxton, The Duprees, perfected their signature sound which blended Joey Vann’s lead vocals and classic doo wop harmonies with big band arrangements.
All of us at Jimmy McHugh Music are saddened by the death of Amy Winehouse.
Tony Bennett was the last person to work with the singer- having recently recorded a duet together.
When reached for comment, the legendary singer remarked Winehouse was "an artist of immense proportions.”
He continued. “I am deeply saddened to learn of her tragic passing. She was an extraordinary musician with a rare intuition as a vocalist and I am truly devastated that her exceptional talent and has come to such an early end."
We were delighted that the 27-year old vocal phenom had chosen to include Jimmy McHugh’s Moody’s Mood For Love on her 2003 debut album. We’ll treasure that recording and the memory of the brilliant Amy Winehouse.
In 1939, The New York Worlds Fair, trumpeted as The World of Tomorrow, was the big national news on radio and in newspapers.
Among the hundreds of thousands of visitors to Gotham that summer was an unknown vocal group, The Quintones, who made their way East to record with legendary producer and manager, Buck Ram.
Ram recognized that a proven jazz standard was just the thing needed to pull a hit from the young untried vocal quintet.
He quickly decided on one of his own personal favorites, Jimmy McHugh’s When My Sugar Walks Down The Street.
Buck Ram
Having decided on the perfect song for their sound, Buck took the group into the studio and recorded ‘Sugar’ on September 5, 1939.
Remarkably, only six weeks later, just as the Worlds Fair was closing, the record had already made it’s way to the top of America’s Hit Parade.
The Quintones
Buck Ram later went on to earning his place in Rock & Roll history for his work with The Platters.
One winter night, in 1962, John Coltrane gathered in a drafty New York recording studio with pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison, drummer Elvin Jones and legendary engineer, Rudy Van Gelder.
After a minimum of rehearsal and then recording just one take each of eight songs, John Coltrane’s landmark album, Ballads was complete.
Coltrane included two Jimmy McHugh tunes on the LP, Say It (Over and Over) & Too Young To Go Steady.
This is definitely essential listening for anyone who loves jazz.
Here are links to John Coltrane performing the music of Jimmy McHugh:
