On Green Dolphin Street

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On Green Dolphin Street (m. Bronislau Kaper, w. Ned Washington) was introduced in the 1947 MGM film Green Dolphin Street.

From WICN.org’s Song of the Week feature:

“On Green Dolphin Street” was not a hit when the film was released. It even is difficult to verify who first covered the song. Some sources attribute the first recording to Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra in 1947 and others to Ralph Marterie and his Orchestra in 1949. In the early to mid-1950s, Urbie Green, Ahmad Jamal and others did recordings worthy of consideration, but none achieved much notoriety or popularity.

Sarah Vaughan – The provider identifies it only as from a “1950s radio broadcast.” Please help if you’ve got more information about this transcription.

Miles Davis Sextet – Recorded at Columbia’s 30th Street Studio, New York, New York on 26 May 1958 – released as the first track, side one of 1958 Miles (For later reissues, the album was retitled as ’58 Sessions Featuring Stella by Starlight or ‘58 Miles Featuring Stella by Starlight).

Miles Davis – trumpet, leader
Julian “Cannonball” Adderley – alto saxophone
John Coltrane – tenor saxophone
Bill Evans – piano
Paul Chambers – bass
Jimmy Cobb – drums

Again from WICN.org song profile (excerpts):

The song was neglected by most jazz artists until Miles Davis recorded it in May of 1958 with his newly reconfigured sextet which included himself on trumpet; Julian ‘Cannonball’ Adderley, alto saxophone; John Coltrane, tenor saxophone; Bill Evans, piano; Paul Chambers, bass; and Jimmy Cobb, drums. The song was released later that year on the album ’58 Miles.

The Davis recording established “On Green Dolphin Street” as a jazz standard, and since that time it has been recorded by many artists. Instrumentalists find it easy to improvise on the chord changes and melody, but vocalists can have difficulty keeping the song in tune. Consequently, it has been performed most frequently and notably as an instrumental, but singers such as Nancy Wilson have made memorable recordings as well.

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Wynton Kelly Trio – recorded 10 March 1959, NYC — Wynton Kelly (p) Paul Chambers (b) Jimmy Cobb (d); released on the album Kelly Blue

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John Coltrane Quartet – live 28 March 1960, Düsseldorf, Germany– John Coltrane: Sax, Wynton Kelly: piano, Paul Chambers: bass, and Jimmy Cobb: drums

Eric Dolphy Quintet – from his album Outward Bound, 1960. According to the Wikpedia, it was Dolphy’s first as a leader, but in the discography they list 12 releases as a leader and 8 more as sideman for that year alone.

Eric Dolphy – flute, bass clarinet, alto saxophone
Freddie Hubbard – trumpet
Jaki Byard – piano
George Tucker – bass
Roy Haynes – drums

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Red Garland Quintet – recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 16 March 1961. Released as the initial track on the album Soul Burnin’ which contains material from Red Garland’s final two sessions for Prestige — Richard Williams (tp) Oliver Nelson (ts, as) Red Garland (p) Peck Morrison (b) Charlie Persip (d)

Red Garland Trio – recorded 19 July 1961, NYC — Red Garland (p), Sam Jones (b), Charlie Persip (d)

Art Van Damme Quintet – a track from Accordion a la Mode, 1961

Sarah Vuaghan — from the 1962 album You’re Mine You, Roulette R 52082 (Mono), SR 52082 (Stereo); arranged and conducted by Quincy Jones

Anita O’Day – live in Sweden, 1963

Lucky Thompson – from the 1973 album Friday the 13th — Cook County Jail

Drums – Louis Hayes
Cedar Walton – Piano
Sam Jones – Bass
Lucky Thompson – Sax

Doug Raney – the final track on Raney’s 1977 debut album, Introducing Doug Raney

Stan Getz (tenor sax) with Kenny Barron (piano), Yasuhito Mori (bass), Ben Riley (drums). Recorded at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy – July 1989

part 1/2 — link: part 2/2