"But Beautiful" is a popular jazz ballad, performed by many artists.
It was scored by composer Jimmy Van Heusen and lyricist Johnny Burke, who collaborated for over a dozen years and produced dozens of hits and award-winning songs.
Notes by Chris Tyle (Jazz Musician and Historian)
Tenor saxophonist Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis was the first jazz player to record this tune in 1947. His version is a nice ballad reading of the number, illustrating his appreciation of Coleman Hawkins. He would revisit the number, in a longer version, in 1958; by that time his style was completely his own.
In 1960 trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, age 22, already had an impressive resume, including recordings with tenor saxophonists Eric Dolphy and John Coltrane, bassist Paul Chambers, and the Montgomery Brothers (guitarist Wes and bassist Monk). “But Beautiful” was a number included on his debut session as a leader, and Hubbard acquits himself beautifully, showing off his lovely tone and sense of restraint. Tina Brooks, an underrated but marvelous tenor saxophonist, does an impressive chorus as does pianist McCoy Tyner.
Notes by Noah Baerman (Jazz Pianist and Educator)
Billie Holiday’s late-career recording of “But Beautiful” (Lady In Satin) is unparalleled in the emotional potency with which the melody and lyric are delivered. Nancy Wilson’s 1969 version (But Beautiful), offers a somewhat more ornamented approach to the melody as well as a small-group instrumentation. Meanwhile, Bill Evans and Stan Getz recorded a melodic and inventive version of the song in 1964 (Stan Getz and Bill Evans) that stands as a definitive instrumental version.
"But Beautiful" by Ayşe Gencer
"But Beautiful" previews by various artists
Source: ~www.jazzstandards.com
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