Harlem Nocturne

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"Harlem Nocturne"
Instrumental by Ray Noble Orchestra
Written1939
Composer(s) Earle Hagen, Dick Rogers

"Harlem Nocturne" is a jazz standard written by Earle Hagen (music) and Dick Rogers (lyrics) in 1939 for the Ray Noble orchestra, of which they were members. [1] The song was chosen by the big-band leader Randy Brooks the next year as his theme song. [2]

The version by the Viscounts has the distinction of being released twice and rising high on the Billboard charts each time: [3] first in 1959, when it peaked at #52, and again in 1966, peaking at #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. [2]

"Harlem Nocturne", in a version with Bud Shank on alto sax, [4] was the theme song of the television series Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer [5] and The New Mike Hammer . [6]

Harold Faltermeyer recorded a version for the soundtrack to the film Tango & Cash .

In 1990, the pianist Kofi Wilmot gained popularity in the instrumental world for his cover version from the album of the same name, Harlem Nocturne. [7]

Danny Gatton released a version in 1993 on his album Cruisin' Deuces (Elektra/Rhino).

The Sonny Moorman Group released a version on their 2009 Live As Hell album (Atlas Records).

Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet recorded a version on their 1987 7" single "Schlagers!" (and included it on their 1988 LP Savvy Show Stoppers ) entitled "Harlem by the Sea."

Some singers have recorded "Harlem Nocturne", adding lyrics. Mel Tormé recorded a version with lyrics for his 1963 album Sings "Sunday In New York" And Other Songs About New York, beginning with "a nocturne for the blues". Sylvia Brooks recorded a different version, arranged by Jeff Colella, on her album Dangerous Liaisons in 2009, [8] starting with "deep music fills the night", which has since been covered. Other vocal versions are by Ernestine Anderson, Carla White, Denise Jannah, Bonnie Bramlett, and Jacintha. Brian Setzer does a version loosely based on the theme called "Hollywood Nocturne".

Renditions

"Harlem Nocturne" has been recorded by many diverse artists, including:

References

  1. ↑ "'Andy Griffith' Composer Dies at 88". CNN. May 27, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-06-18. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
  2. 1 2 3 Marsh, Dave (1999). The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. Da Capo Press. p. 610. ISBN   978-0-306-80901-9.
  3. ↑ Joel Whitburn, The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits. 7th edn, 2000.
  4. ↑ Bruce Babcock (2009), Interview with Earle Hagen
  5. 1 2 McLellan, Dennis (May 28, 2008). "Television Composer Earle Hagen Wrote Memorable Tunes". Seattle Times . Retrieved 2008-12-15.
  6. ↑ The New Mike Hammer at IMDb   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  7. ↑ "Harlem Nocturne Overview". AllMusic.com .
  8. ↑ Dangerous Liaisons at AllMusic
  9. ↑ "42 Versions of Harlem Nocturne", WFMU's Beward of the Blog, May 29, 2008.
  10. ↑ Gress, Jesse (2006). Guitarevolution: Lessons from the Groundbreakers & Innovators. CMP Media. p. 84. ISBN   0-87930-868-0.
  11. ↑ "Michael Lington Overview". Allmusic.com .
  12. ↑ "Time Again Overview". Allmusic.com .
  13. ↑ "Time Again – David Sanborn". JazzTimes.com .
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