Pennies from Heaven

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Pennies From Heaven (m. Arthur Johnston, w. Johnny Burke)

The song was introduced in the 1936 musical comedy film of the same name, based on the novel The Peacock Feather by Katherine Leslie Moore. Stars: Bing Crosby, who sings the song in the film, Madge Evans and Ediths Fellows. Jazzstandards lists four hit recordings in 1936 including that by Crosby with Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra. The others were those by Hal Kemp and his Orchestra, cabaret performer Hildegarde, and a second by Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra with vocalist Bob Eberle.

Notable early jazz interpretations include an early one by Count Basie and his Orchestra, featuring Lester Young and vocalist Jimmy Rushing, and the recording by Teddy Wilson and his Orchestra with vocals by Billie Holiday. At the time of the recording, Wilson’s band included Benny Goodman (clarinet) and Ben Webster (tenor sax).

Bing Crosby

In the 1936 film Pennies from Heaven

Bing Crosby with Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra — recorded on 24 July 1936; issued in October 1936 on the 10-inch 78 rpm single Decca 947, as the B-side of “Let’s Call a Heart a Heart”

Billie Holiday – Session #13 New York, 19 November 1936 , Teddy Wilson & Orchestra (Brunswick) Jonah Jones (tp) Benny Goodman (cl) Ben Webster (ts) Teddy Wilson (p)Allan Reuss (g) John Kirby (b) Cozy Cole (d) Billie Holiday (v)

Hal Kemp and his Orchestra – 1936

Count Basie and his Orchestra, vocal: Jimmy Rushing – 1937

Lester Young Quintet – Norman Granz’s documentary “Improvisation” (part 4) – Lester Young (ts), Bill Harris (tb), Hank Jones (p), Ray Brown (b), Buddy Rich (d) – New York, 1950