The all-too-often overlooked jazz standard “Emily” (Johnny Mandel and Johnny Mercer) has been covered by many greats, from Sinatra to Tony Bennett — and here by trumpeter Arturo Sandoval. The tune was the title song for the 1964 movie The Americanization of Emily. This arrangement features a lovely intro through 0:19; the form begins in earnest in C major before briefly touching on a key-of-the-moment (A major) for a few bars (0:39 – 0:48), then reverting to C.
Tag: jazz
Ella Fitzgerald | Jingle Bells
No holiday season is complete without Ella! “Jingle Bells” (1960) features a key change at 1:45. Enjoy!
Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band | Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Changing it up with an instrumental selection today — “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. Modulation at 1:29.
Jerome Kern | The Way You Look Tonight
“The Way You Look Tonight,” co-written by Jerome Kern and winner of the Oscar Awards for Best Original Song in 1936 for its appearance in the movie “Swing Time,” was first performed by that film’s star, renowned dancer Fred Astaire. Multiple singers have covered this standard in the years since, from Ella to Billie to Sinatra to Tony Bennett, who is featured here. Modulation at the beginning of the middle section at 1:36, then back to the original key at 2:17.
Frank Sinatra | That’s Life
Featuring Frank Sinatra with “That’s Life” (1966) today, from an album of the same name. The track was a top-5 hit during an era otherwise dominated by rock acts. Key change at 2:25.
Chet Baker | The Song is You
“The Song is You” is a jazz standard covered by everyone from Charlie Parker to Stan Getz to Frank Sinatra — and this 1959 version by trumpeter/vocalist Chet Baker. The tune modulates in its middle section and then back to its original key (the first middle section runs from 0:49 to 1:11).
Keith Jarrett | Danny Boy
Today, we feature Keith Jarrett playing “Danny Boy” (2002). There is a brief modulation from F major to A-flat major at 1:37, before returning to F for the remainder of the song at 2:25. An absolutely stunning performance.
Ella Fitzgerald | Mack the Knife
No words needed for this 1960 release. Modulations are at 1:05, 1:32, 1:58, 2:24, 2:50, and 3:16.
US3 | The Love of My Life
Us3, a hiphop group with members from both the US and UK, is probably best known for the sample-heavy 90s hit “Cantaloop/Flip Fantasia.”
Like most of Us3’s output, “The Love of My Life” (2009) draws heavily on dense jazz-infused textures and chord progressions. But the sound is also driven by Hiphop grooves and lyrical traditions. The tune modulates up two whole steps at 0:38, pivoting between these two keys throughout: 0:56, 2:30, and 2:49.
Al Jarreau | Mornin’
Al Jarreau, the only vocalist in history to win Grammy Awards in three different categories (jazz, pop, and R&B), released his top-10 album Breakin’ Away in 1981, at perhaps the peak of his career. A standout track from the album was the feel-good tune “Mornin’,” featuring plenty of modulations in the bridge (1:55 – 2:49). Then we land back in the orignal key with an instrumental verse at the bridge’s conclusion. 3:32 features a classic direct modulation into the final verse.
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