Favorite Jazz Versions of Mancini Songs

[HutchFan]

Driving into work this morning, Dexter Gordon's version of Mancini's "Days of Wine & Roses" (on the album Tangerine) caught my ear. It's a great song -- and a great interpretation of the song. Hearing that tune made me want to pull out Nancy Wilson's version of "Moon River" (on her Hollywood – My Way album). Another great interpretation, one that'll make you forget you've heard this song hundreds of times, rendered in soulless Muzak, while in the dentist's office or on the elevator. Instead, Wilson's version is just lovely.


So I thought I might start a thread dedicated to favorite jazz versions of Mancini tunes.

If you're a Mancini fan, which songs and which interpretations do you like best?

[walkin]

Blakey`s version of Moon River

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqd6dqXZOzw

[HutchFan]

Originally Posted by walkin

Blakey`s version of Moon River

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqd6dqXZOzw

Cool! Forgot about that one.



Otherwise, not much Mancini-love 'round here, I guess.

[walkin]

James Moody did a whole album of Mancini

[flyin' brian]

Two For The Road - Pat Metheny & Charlie Haden
Moon River - Bill Frisell, Dave Holland, Elvin Jones
Days of Wine & Roses - Oscar Peterson Trio

[Marcello]

Joe Locke has done quite a bit on Mancini.

First there is Moment To Moment a all instrumental recording of Mancini compositions from 1995 that has my favorite version of Slow Hot Wind



On Joe's For The Love Of You from 2010 the cd opens with the most gorgeous version of Two For The Road sung by the wonderful vocalist Kenny Washington. Not to be missed.

[Jeff Smith]

I play in a big band that does the Pink Panther Theme, and it's hard to beat Mancini's own jazz orchestra recording.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OPc7MRm4Y8

[robmid]

Ted Nash -The Mancini Project

[Buddha]

Brad Mehldau (Art of the Trio Vol 2) and Grant Green (Complete Quartets with Sonny Clark) do very nice - and very different - versions of Moon River.

Bill Charlap Trio (Written in the Stars) and Oscar Peterson (Complete Clef/Mercury Studio Recordings) do smash up versions of One for My Baby (And One More for the Road).

Of course, as a Savannah boy in good standing, I've got these songs by Johnny Mercer, as well.

[Buddha]

Originally Posted by robmid

Ted Nash -The Mancini Project

huh! I'm a Ted Nash fan. Didn't know this was out there. Thanks!

[Ian Thumwood]

For someone who my quite prolific and well respected by many musicians, I've always felt that Henry Mancini's music hasn't really enjoyed as much popularity as other song-writers. The most famous tune is "Days of wine and roses" shich is probably familiar to anyone who have ever tried to play jazz because it can be found in "The Real Book." I always associate this tune with Bill Frisell who has recorded it on CD and , I think, also did a version on a DVD I have of him playing solo.

For me, Bill Frisell really thinks outside of the box with regard to harmony and I love his approach with this tune. However, Mancini seems a but like Michel Legrand in that there are a few justly celebrated tunes but you suspect that a good proportion of his music remains neglected.