music
Cantabile
Signum
Signum Records SIGCD055
Wolf

14.   Lullaby of Birdland

George Shearing (b. 1919) / George David Weiss (b. 1921)
Arranged by Cantabile

We added in this classic song from 1952 to make sure listeners did not sleep whilst the CD was on...

'Birdland', named after the great saxophonist, Charlie 'Bird' Parker, who called it "The Jazz Corner of the World". is honoured here in a melody originally recorded at the club by Count Basie and his smokin' big band.

A homage to jazz master Shearing, but set in a way that also tips its hat to Dave Brubeck. After recording this, we met the great Take 5 man at the Florida International Festival, Daytona Beach - we sang to him and he said, "You guys thrill me!".

Although there was never a danger that he would not be wonderful, it was good to give Malcolm Martineau a jazz 'work-out' at the keyboard!