Jazz musicians love Broadway show tunes. The only Broadway composer favored more than Harold Arlen was George Gershwin. In fact, Arlen’s “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “Get Happy” and “Out of this World” sound almost like they had been written as jazz tunes. This course will celebrate the best Arlen tunes and the most exciting jazz renditions of them. Videos and vocal versions will introduce the melodies, and classic jazz recordings will dig deeper into their rich harmonies.

Lectures:

1. Over the Rainbow, Come Rain or Come Shine, Stormy Weather, featuring renditions by Judy Garland, Billie Holiday, Keith Jarrett, Art Pepper, Gerry Mulligan, Duke Ellington

2. I’ve Got the World on a String, My Shining Hour, featuring renditions by John Coltrane, Benny Carter, Sarah Vaughan, Art Tatum, Nat Cole

3. Get Happy, Paper Moon, I’m Old Fashioned, featuring renditions by Judy Garland, J.J. Johnson, Clifford Brown, Art Tatum, John Coltrane

4.  Blues in the Night, Out of this World, Sleeping Bee, with renditions by Quincy Jones, Art Farmer, Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane