In a Mellow Tone
Encyclopedia
"In a Mellow Tone", also known as "In a Mellotone", is a 1939 jazz standard
composed by Duke Ellington
, with lyrics written by Milt Gabler
. The song was based on the 1917 standard "Rose Room
" by Art Hickman
and Harry Williams. Howard Stern used to use this song as his opening theme on his radio show.
Jazz standard
Jazz standards are musical compositions which are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive list of jazz standards, and the list of songs deemed to be...
composed by Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
, with lyrics written by Milt Gabler
Milt Gabler
Milton Gabler was an American record producer, responsible for many innovations in the recording industry of the 20th century.-Early life:...
. The song was based on the 1917 standard "Rose Room
Rose Room
"Rose Room", also known as "In Sunny Roseland", is a 1917 jazz standard by Art Hickman and Harry Williams. The name of the song's lyricist is unknown, and it is usually performed as an instrumental...
" by Art Hickman
Art Hickman
Arthur G. Hickman was a drummer, pianist, and band leader whose orchestra is sometimes seen as an ancestor to Big band music. It fits into what are termed "sweet bands", something like that of Paul Whiteman. His orchestra is also credited, perhaps dubiously, with being among the first jazz bands....
and Harry Williams. Howard Stern used to use this song as his opening theme on his radio show.
Notable recordings
- Ella FitzgeraldElla FitzgeraldElla Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
- Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington SongbookElla Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington SongbookElla Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song book is a 1957 album by the American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, accompanied by the Duke Ellington orchestra, focusing on Ellington's songs....
(1958) - Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross - Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross!Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross!Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross!, also known as The Hottest New Group In Jazz, is an album by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. The CD reissue combines the full original album with the LPs "Lambert, Hendricks & Ross Sing Ellington" and "Rarities".-Disc one:...
(1960) - Paul GonsalvesPaul GonsalvesPaul Gonsalves, was an American jazz tenor saxophonist best known for his association with Duke Ellington. At the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival, Gonsalves played a 27-chorus solo in the middle of Ellington's "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue"...
- Humming BirdHumming Bird (Paul Gonsalves)Humming Bird is an album recorded in 1970 by Paul Gonsalves.-Track listing:#"Humming Bird"#"Body and Soul"#"What Is There To Stay"#"It's the Talk of the Town"#"All The Things You Are"#"Sticks"#"X. O...
(1970) - The Manhattan TransferThe Manhattan TransferThe Manhattan Transfer is an American vocal music group. There have been two manifestations of the group, with Tim Hauser being the only person to be part of both...
- PastichePastiche (Manhattan Transfer album)Pastiche was released by The Manhattan Transfer on January 19, 1978, by Atlantic Records. This was the last studio album recorded with Laurel Massé, who ended her association with the group later that year....
(1978) - Tony BennettTony BennettTony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
- Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & CoolBennett Sings Ellington: Hot & CoolBennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool is an album by Tony Bennett, released in 1999 to commemorate the centenary of Duke Ellington's birth. - Track listing :All songs composed by Duke Ellington, except "Chelsea Bridge"; lyricists indicated....
(1999) - Clare TealClare TealClare Teal is an English jazz singer who has become famous not only for her singing, but also for having signed the biggest ever recording contract by a British jazz singer.-Biography:...
- Don't TalkDon't Talk (album)Don't Talk is jazz vocalist Clare Teal's sixth album, released in 2004.-Track listing:# "Messin' With Fire" - 3:17# "When in Rome " - 2:58# "Stoned Soul Picnic" - 3:49# "Everything Is You" - 3:44...
(2004) - Coleman HawkinsColeman HawkinsColeman Randolph Hawkins was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Hawkins was one of the first prominent jazz musicians on his instrument. As Joachim E. Berendt explained, "there were some tenor players before him, but the instrument was not an acknowledged jazz horn"...
with Eddie Lockjaw Davis - Joe PassJoe PassJoe Pass was an Italian-American jazz guitarist of Sicilian descent. He is generally considered to be one of the greatest jazz guitarists of the 20th century...
- Portraits of Duke Ellington