Composed by Arthur Schwartz with lyrics by Howard Dietz, introduced by Jean Sargent in the 1932 Broadway musical Flying Colors. It is the most enduring of the Schwartz-Dietz collaborations and a cornerstone of the jazz repertoire.
The tune follows an AABA form with an unusual 14-bar A section, giving it a distinctive, expansive feel. Written in D minor, the harmony moves through several key centers with elegant II-V-I progressions, creating a rich and challenging vehicle for improvisation. Jazz musicians perform it in a variety of feels — medium swing, bossa nova, or ballad — and its flexibility is a large part of its appeal.
The first jazz recording was by Artie Shaw in 1939. Notable versions include Chet Baker's intimate treatments and the Lee Konitz–Bill Evans duo on Duets (1968), where the interplay between alto saxophone and piano brings out the tune's introspective beauty.
The Real Book (6th Edition)
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