Repertoire

Popular in the first half of the 20th century and was one of the songs that typified the roaring 20's. It became a "tin pan alley" standard and both songwriters were elected to membership in the songwriters hall of fame. Tin Pan Alley is the nickname of an area of Manhattan where a number of influential music publishers had their offices.

Theme song for musical comedy “Connie’s Hot Chocolates”. Connie’s Inn was a Harlem speakeasy that featured song and dance revues. The song, as Waller told it, was composed at Razaf’s 133rd St. apartment in about 45 minutes. It reflected Waller’s habit of finding a few riffs and repeating them until he had a 32-bar song.

One of the most recorded songs of its era. Everyone you can think of has probably recorded this. (Bing Crosby, Louie Armstrong, Frank SInatra, Willie Nelson) and some that I found surprising (Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, the Muppets). It an interesting song because the lyrics are melancholy but the mood is upbeat and I can't help getting a lift from singing it.

Many of us can identify with this song, which about the how we are getting overwhelmed with the rate of change in our lives and things seem to just keep going faster and faster. Interestingly, it was written in 1931 for a Broadway musical, so things haven't changed much. The introduction refers to Einstein's theory of relativity as part of how the world is changing. Most of us know this song from Casa Blanca, where it was reintroduced in 1942. The song acknowledges the craziness around us, but reminds us that the fundamental things of life, like love and relationships, always stay the same.

This was one of the first songs in a "talkie". It was sung By Al Jolson in "The Jazz SInger". It's been covered numerous times. I really love the version that Willie Nelson in 1978 that became a #1 hit.

First performed by Johnny Mercer. I first heard it performed by Manhattan Transfer on their first album.

This was originally big band instrumental called "Never No Lament" and was first recorded by Duke Ellington in 1940. Two years later Russel added words and changed the title. It's been recorded countless times, with two different versions of this song reaching #1 on the R&B charts, including the version recorded by Ellington's own band. It's a song of a man lamenting his lost love. My wife says he should have been nicer to her while she was around.

First recorded by Ozzie Nelson. One of the most successful recordings was by Mama Cass Elliott in 1968.

A fun old dixieland standard covered by many singers, including Bing Crosby, Dean Martin

Ray Charles did famous cover in 1960. This was recorded quickly in New York City - it took only four takes to complete (compared to Charles' usual 10-12 takes). It's possible that this was written about a woman, not the state. Carmichael and Gorrell didn't live in Georgia, but Carmichael did have a sister named Georgia. Nevertheless, on April 24, 1979, this became the official state song of Georgia, replacing a song title "Georgia." Ray Charles performed the song the ceremony that day, where it was decreed:

I first heard it performed in the late 60’s by Blood, Sweat, and Tears. It is said the Billie wrote this after an argument about money with her mother.

Another jazz standard made famous by recordings with Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole.

A barbershop standard. Written for the 60's hit, "The Music Man", it was modeled on his mother and aunt, who were both named Lida.

Mde popular by Eddie Cantor and was one of his all-time hits. The song is pretty strongly anti-marriage, but I choose to leave out some of it so it is just a little humorous.

Prolific composer and lyricist and well as a great jazz pianist. Born and raised in Minnesota, lived in New York, and now lives in Portland Oregon.

First recorded by Nat King Cole, Bobby Troup got the idea for the song on a cross-country drive from Pennsylvania to California. Troup wanted to try his hand as a Hollywood songwriter, so he and his wife, Cynthia, packed up their 1941 Buick and headed west. The trip began on US 40 and continued along US 66 to the California coast. Troup initially considered writing a tune about US 40, but Cynthia suggested the title "Get Your Kicks on Route 66". The song was composed on the ten-day journey, and completed by referencing maps when the couple arrived in Los Angeles.

Les Brown and His Band of Renown had been performing the song, but were unable to record it because of the 1942–44 musicians' strike. When the strike ended, the band, with Doris Day as vocalist, had a hit record with the song. The song's release coincided with the end of WWII in Europe and became the unofficial homecoming theme for many veterans.

Was recorded by Clifton Edwards — known as "Ukulele Ike" — who enjoyed considerable popularity in the 1920s and early 1930s, specializing in jazzy renditions of pop standards and novelty tunes.

Originally a Mexican song named Quién será. It was translated to English in 1954. I find it interesting that the english and the spanish versions have quite a different meaning. In spanish, the singer is wondering and hoping for a love to re-enter his/her life after losing their last love. In the English, the singer is ecstatic with the lover he/she has.

I remember this song from the Harlem Globetrotters, who adopted it as a theme song in 1952. There are less scandalous stories about the song's origin, but legend has it that Miss Brown was a famous prostitute and madam. Corporate tycoon John D. Rockefeller, Sr. was in love with Miss Brown so much so that he built her a mansion in Betsy Lane, Kentucky with his oil fortune. I found stories about Rockefeller visiting towns and having his travelling companion with her own special car on the train. Whatever the background, it is well documented that this was one of Rockefeller's favorite tunes

Bing Crosby introduced this song in a movie "Going My Way". Songwriter Jimmy Van Heusen was at Crosby’s house one evening for dinner, and to discuss a song for the film project. During the meal one of the children began complaining about how he didn’t want to go to school the next day. Crosby turned to his son and said to him, "If you don’t go to school, you might grow up to be a mule." Van Heusen thought this clever rebuke would make a good song for the film, so he went home and wrote it for the movie. The song ended up getting Oscar for Best Original Song.

Written for the "Toy Story" animated movie. Randy Newman is a modern composer who has done a number of interesting and, sometimes, controversial tunes.

Originally an instrumental by Richards called "Moonbeam," it became "Young at Heart" when Leigh added the lyrics. Frank Sinatra, who had been absent from the pop charts for a few years, came back with a million-selling hit when he was the first to record the song in 1953. My favorite performance of this song was by Jimmy Durante, who I think exemplified the song's lyrics.