The song of the day for Saturday, April 18, 2015 is “What A Little Moonlight Can Do.”

About This Song

This charming song was written by Harry Woods in 1934 while he was living and working in temporarily in London for a British film studio as a composer. One of the songs he wrote was “What A Little Moonlight Can Do” for a movie called Road House. Billie Holiday, with Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra, recorded the song in 1935.

About This Version

This is a wonderfully cheerful and light rendition of today’s song. Sharon’s piano is quite deft and very much in period. All in all, a delightful turn.

“What A Little Moonlight Can Do,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

About Billie Holiday’s Version

Billie Holiday recorded “What A Little Moonlight Can Do” 17 times, including recorded live concerts and television performances. Today we present her first recording from July 2, 1935 (MX B1776701) released on Brunswick. The musicians included Teddy Wilson (piano), Benny Goodman (clarinet), Ben Webster (tenor sax), Roy Eldridge (trumpet), John Truehart (guitar), John Kirby (bass) and Cozy Cole (drums).

“What A Little Moonlight Can Do,” as well as The Centennial Collection, is available from iTunes.

About Today

It’s Saturday and that means a video. Today’s video is Lady Day herself, singing “What A Little Moonlight Can Do” on a live television performance on July 10, 1958 on the Art Ford Jazz Party. Playing with Billie Holiday are Mal Waldron (piano), Buck Clayton (trumpet), Paul Quintette (alto sax), Mundell Lowe (guitar), Joe Benjamin (bass) and Jo Jones (drums).