April In Paris Tribute

Video 2 minutes narrated by Karen Morris 

The song, April in Paris, was recorded twice by Frank Sinatra. First, as a ballad in July of 1951, arranged by Axel Stordahl; and then years later a swingin' upbeat version for Sinatra's album Come Fly With Me, arranged by Billy May.

Although the song is more often associated with the Count Basie Orchestra, and 1955 highly acclaimed jazz instrumental version, with arrangement by Wild Bill Davis.

You might even remember the song by the Count from a scene in the Mel Brooks film Blazing Saddles.

But the 1932 tune was originally written for the Broadway musical Walk a Little Faster, with music and lyrics by Vernon Duke and Yip Harburg.

Sources say that Harburg had never been to Paris, so he relied on travel guidebooks to write the lyrics. Another story goes that Duke

was dining with friends, when someone said "Oh to be in Paris now that April's here". Duke began composing right then.

Both Duke and Harburg achieved much success. Harburg wrote the iconic academy award winning song, Over the Rainbow, which many of us refer to as Somewhere over the rainbow Meanwhile Duke penned words and music for the beautiful standard, Autumn in New York.

April in Paris has been recorded over 60 times by a variety of artists,

including Sammy Davis, Jr; Sarah Vaughn; Charlie Parker; Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong; Doris Day, Dean Martin and Billie Holiday.

Yet the collaboration of Frank Sinatra and Billy May on April in Paris,

led to a long-standing and treasured classic, which remains popular almost 70 years later.

Wishing you a lovely April, this is Karen Morris with a Rat Pack Music Minute.