Song of the Day: All Of Me

The song of the day for Friday, April 3, 2015 is “All Of Me.”

About This Song

“All Of Me” was written in 1931 by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons. It is the only song by Marks and Simons to become popular in the jazz repertoire. Early recordings included those by Louis Armstrong, Mildred Bailey and Ruth Etting. In his masterful book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia writes:

The definitive version of “All Of Me” wouldn’t appear for another decade, but when Billie Holiday recorded the song, with tenor saxophonist Lester Young on hand, she staked a claim of ownership that no one has managed to dislodge in subsequent years.

About This Version

Today’s song is the second song on Tony Bennet On Holiday, the album of the month for April 2015. It’s just Tony and Ralph Sharon — in fact, you can hear Tony calling out to Sharon during the song. It’s a nice, swinging version.

” All Of Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

About Billie Holiday’s Version

Here is the 1941 version (MX: 29990-2) that Gioia references. It was recorded on March 21, 1941 with Lester Young (tenor sax), Lester ‘Shad’ Collins (trumpet), Eddie Barefield (alto sax), Eddie Heywood (piano), John Collins (guitar), Kenny Clarke (drums), Leslie Johnakins (alto sax), Ted Sturgis (bass).