Indian Summer (Victor Herbert Song)
Encyclopedia
Indian Summer is a jazz standard originally written as a piano piece by the prolific composer Victor Herbert
. Al Dubin
later wrote the lyrics.
Herbert composed the tune in 1919, but it did not become a standard until much later. Sheet music exists for Everett Hoagland and Don Reid
versions, dating to 1934 and 1939 respectively, but the provenance of the second of these, at least, is doubtful, as Reid may not even have formed an orchestra until 1944.
Dubin wrote his lyrics for the song in 1939, and in 1940 Tommy Dorsey's
orchestra, with vocalist Frank Sinatra
, took it to number one on the American Hit Parade
.
Also in 1940, Sidney Bechet
recorded one of the first jazz versions of the tune, performing it on soprano sax. Another significant version is Coleman Hawkins'
from 1945. Perhaps some of Indian Summer's success as a jazz tune is that it "bears no European mark", being a "thirty-two measure song with the form of A-B-A-C. The melody sings marvelously throughout without a single cliche or let down," as Alex Wilder writes in American Popular Song, despite admitting that he is generally no fan of Victor Herbert.
Indian Summer has been recorded by, among others, the Gene Krupa
Orchestra, Ginny Simms
, Paul Desmond
, Ella Fitzgerald
, Sarah Vaughan
, in vocal versions, and in instrumental versions for saxophone, piano, and guitar.
Victor Herbert
Victor August Herbert was an Irish-born, German-raised American composer, cellist and conductor. Although Herbert enjoyed important careers as a cello soloist and conductor, he is best known for composing many successful operettas that premiered on Broadway from the 1890s to World War I...
. Al Dubin
Al Dubin
Alexander "Al" Dubin was an American lyricist. He became known through his collaborations with the composer Harry Warren.-Life and works:...
later wrote the lyrics.
Herbert composed the tune in 1919, but it did not become a standard until much later. Sheet music exists for Everett Hoagland and Don Reid
Don Reid
Don Reid is an American former professional basketball player who was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 2nd round of the 1995 NBA Draft. In his career, Reid played for the Pistons, Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic in 8 NBA seasons...
versions, dating to 1934 and 1939 respectively, but the provenance of the second of these, at least, is doubtful, as Reid may not even have formed an orchestra until 1944.
Dubin wrote his lyrics for the song in 1939, and in 1940 Tommy Dorsey's
Tommy Dorsey
Thomas Francis "Tommy" Dorsey, Jr. was an American jazz trombonist, trumpeter, composer, and bandleader of the Big Band era. He was known as "The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing", due to his smooth-toned trombone playing. He was the younger brother of bandleader Jimmy Dorsey...
orchestra, with vocalist Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
, took it to number one on the American Hit Parade
Hit parade
A hit parade is a ranked list of the most popular recordings at a given point in time, usually determined by sales and/or airplay. The term originated in the 1930s; Billboard magazine published its first music hit parade on January 4, 1936...
.
Also in 1940, Sidney Bechet
Sidney Bechet
Sidney Bechet was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer.He was one of the first important soloists in jazz , and was perhaps the first notable jazz saxophonist...
recorded one of the first jazz versions of the tune, performing it on soprano sax. Another significant version is Coleman Hawkins'
Coleman Hawkins
Coleman 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"...
from 1945. Perhaps some of Indian Summer's success as a jazz tune is that it "bears no European mark", being a "thirty-two measure song with the form of A-B-A-C. The melody sings marvelously throughout without a single cliche or let down," as Alex Wilder writes in American Popular Song, despite admitting that he is generally no fan of Victor Herbert.
Indian Summer has been recorded by, among others, the Gene Krupa
Gene Krupa
Gene Krupa was an American jazz and big band drummer and composer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style.-Biography:...
Orchestra, Ginny Simms
Ginny Simms
Ginny Simms was an American Popular Singer and film actress. She labeled with Dinah Shore, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Jo Stafford and others. Born in San Antonio, Texas, she sang with big bands and worked as MGM contract player film actress.She appeared in 11 movies from 1939 to 1951, when she...
, Paul Desmond
Paul Desmond
Paul Desmond , born Paul Emil Breitenfeld, was a jazz alto saxophonist and composer born in San Francisco, best known for the work he did in the Dave Brubeck Quartet and for penning that group's greatest hit, "Take Five"...
, Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
, Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Lois Vaughan was an American jazz singer, described by Scott Yanow as having "one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century."...
, in vocal versions, and in instrumental versions for saxophone, piano, and guitar.