Personal Favourite Standards that Few Have Heard Of

[brent.h]

After trying to call A Smooth One a few times just to have people suggest ballads I quit with the esoteric tunes.

It’s a terrific tune with unusual changes (especially the A section with its descending bassline). We play it frequently, most recently this afternoon!

This is a huge favourite of mine because of the harmony. (Might start a thread about this.) Nice and simple melody too.

[Bob_Ross]

I'm still a little hung up on the semantics of a "standard" that "few have heard"

...but, presuming that "standard" refers more to a tune's style and/or origin rather than people's -- or musicians' -- familiarity with it, I will offer:

Cole Porter's "So In Love" from the musical Kiss Me Kate is always a gas to play, and folks seem to be surprised if/when they recognize it.
Really lends itself to being played as a medium-swing rather than a tango.

[SierraTango]

I'm still a little hung up on the semantics of a "standard" that "few have heard"

...but, presuming that "standard" refers more to a tune's style and/or origin rather than people's -- or musicians' -- familiarity with it, I will offer:

Cole Porter's "So In Love" from the musical Kiss Me Kate is always a gas to play, and folks seem to be surprised if/when they recognize it.
Really lends itself to being played as a medium-swing rather than a tango.

Absolutely stunning song that's in our rep. Funny thing we were playing it at one of our venues and a lovely young lady came up and motioned towards the mic (I don't attempt to sing that song). I figured if she knew it she must be able to sing it. She almost brought tears to my eyes with her beautiful, flawless take on the tune. Turned out she was a vocal major at UCLA and had performed Kiss Me Kate several times.
Another Cole Porter masterpiece, "Everytime We Say Goodbye" He used that major to minor motif in several songs.

[AndyV]

A few I like ....

'Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" is one of my favs too - especially with the Johnny Smith intro.

John Barry's theme from "You Only Live Twice" - Bill Frisell does a nice version

"Deep Night" written by crooner Rudy Vallee but I heard it by Buddy DeFranco with Art Tatum.

"Only Trust Your Heart" by Benny Carter w/ lyrics by Sammy Cahn

"The Masquerade is Over"

[JazzPadd]

“Makin’ Whoopee” leapt to mind. The melody and changes are fun as a moderate swing number if done instrumentally. When I call it at an open jazz jam session as such, it gets a positive reaction from players and listeners alike, but few ever heard of the tune.

Similarly, ”Dindi” sans singing is interesting to play when called as a medium bossa rather than as a slow vocal focused ballad, the latter being more typical in my rather limited experience.

[pcjazz]

Robbin’s Nest
Save It Pretty Mama
Dreamsville

[jamiehenderson1993]

“Makin’ Whoopee” leapt to mind. The melody and changes are fun as a moderate swing number if done instrumentally. When I call it at an open jazz jam session as such, it gets a positive reaction from players and listeners alike, but few ever heard of the tune.

Similarly, ”Dindi” sans singing is interesting to play when called as a medium bossa rather than as a slow vocal focused ballad, the latter being more typical in my rather limited experience.

I love the Red Garland version

[AllanAllen]

Robbin’s Nest
Save It Pretty Mama
Dreamsville

Just heard this version Robins Nest today.

[entresz]

A few come to mind

Dearly Beloved
East of the Sun
They Didn't Believe Me
Stars Fell on Alabama, I like doing that one not as a ballad, more of a medium/up feel.

[JazzPadd]

This thread has reminded me of a few other lesser known tunes I’ve come to love. Thanks to all!

East of the Sun, a vocalist I know from a monthly jazz jam session called that a few times, and we ended up playing it together in a quartet at an annual street jazz festival.

Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most is one of my favorite ballads. I first heard it on a Johnny Smith record and immediately fell in love with it, integrating it into a solo set I did a few times. I use his intro and also Kenny Burrell’s, who uses a dominant 7th on the Bb, which opened up a whole range of possibilities using that one Ab note to flavor my arrangement.

Strollin’ I first heard on an Emily Remler CD, and added that to tunes I call at jam sessions, and did that at another street jazz festival with a quintet. Chet Baker with Philip Catherine is a great take. Later, the Horace Silver record led me to hard bop, now my favorite jazz genre.

I Should Care reminded me of Remo Palmier, when I studied with him in the 1980s, and I still play the beautiful chord melody arrangement he taught me, having dug it out when I returned to guitar a decade ago after a long hiatus from playing.

[rpjazzguitar]

[AllanAllen]

There should be a fake book of public domain songs.

[sgcim]

There should be a fake book of public domain songs.

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