Skip Navigation or Skip to Content

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Print Course information
Email to a friend
Return to Course Catalog

Winter/Spring Registration is now live! > Courses > Multiweek Courses

Seminar: The Jazz Soul of Jimmy Van Heusen   

Jimmy Van Heusen wrote the music for the string of Bob Hope-Bing Crosby road pictures and many novelty tunes for singer Frank Sinatra. He also composed tunes of such harmonic substance that hundreds of recordings by jazz instrumentalists resulted. His chord progressions in these were inviting for improvisers, and their melodies were endearing. In this course, we will delve into his best compositions, which were tapped for renditions by the most historically significant jazz musicians. Excerpts of movies using his tunes will be interspersed with analyses of historic recordings by jazz giants. Space is limited.

LECTURES:

1. "Here's That Rainy Day;" renditions by Bill Evans, June Christy, Oscar Peterson, Paul Desmond

2. "Polka Dots and Moonbeams;" renditions by Lee Konitz, Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery, Sarah Vaughan

3. "But Beautiful;" renditions by Johnny Hartman, Ben Webster, Bill Evans

4. "Darn That Dream;" renditions by Miles Davis, Tony Bennett, Stan Getz, George Shearing
 
Seminar: The Jazz Soul of Jimmy Van Heusen - Boca Raton Campus
  • Seminar: The Jazz Soul of Jimmy Van Heusen
  • Location: Boca Raton Campus
    Fees:
        Member: $70.00
        Non-Member: $90.00
        Price at Door/One Day Pass: $30.00
    Dates: 3/20/2025 - 4/10/2025
    Time: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
    Days: Th
    Sessions: 4
    Building: Boca Raton - Friedburg Auditorium
    Instructor: Mark Gridley, Ph.D.

    Jimmy Van Heusen wrote the music for the string of Bob Hope-Bing Crosby road pictures and many novelty tunes for singer Frank Sinatra. He also composed tunes of such harmonic substance that hundreds of recordings by jazz instrumentalists resulted. His chord progressions in these were inviting for improvisers, and their melodies were endearing. In this course, we will delve into his best compositions, which were tapped for renditions by the most historically significant jazz musicians. Excerpts of movies using his tunes will be interspersed with analyses of historic recordings by jazz giants. Space is limited.

    LECTURES:

    1. "Here's That Rainy Day;" renditions by Bill Evans, June Christy, Oscar Peterson, Paul Desmond

    2. "Polka Dots and Moonbeams;" renditions by Lee Konitz, Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery, Sarah Vaughan

    3. "But Beautiful;" renditions by Johnny Hartman, Ben Webster, Bill Evans

    4. "Darn That Dream;" renditions by Miles Davis, Tony Bennett, Stan Getz, George Shearing
 

Some Title



Your Cart

×