East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)

"East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)" is a popular song written by Brooks Bowman, an undergraduate member of Princeton University's Class of 1936, for the 1934 production of the Princeton Triangle Club's production of Stags at Bay.[1] It was published in 1934 by Santly Bros. and soon became a hallmark of the Princeton Tigertones,[2] one of Princeton University's all-male a cappella groups. The standard is also sung by the Princeton Nassoons, Princeton University's oldest a cappella group.

Recorded versions

• "East of the Sun" was first recorded by Hal Kemp for Brunswick Records on Dec. 1, 1934, and has remained a jazz standard since the 1950s.
• Another of the first recordings was by Arthur Tracy on September 22, 1935 according to CD jacket of ASV Living Era Hits of '35, CD AJA 5185.
• Frank Sinatra recorded it in 1940 (with backup slang lyrics) with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
• Sarah Vaughan recorded it in a 1949 Columbia session for the album Sarah Vaughan in Hi-Fi.,[3] and also her 1953 EP "Hot Jazz (album)"
• Charlie Parker recorded it on six separate dates, the earliest being a live recording at the Royal Roost in New York City on New Year's Day, 1949, and the last a live recording from Birdland in New York City on August 27, 1954. It is featured on numerous albums, including two renditions on The Complete Legendary Rockland Palace Date 1952.[4]
• Benny Goodman recorded a memorable version with his sextet, also in 1952; this performance is included on Benny Goodman Sextet.[5]
• Stan Getz recorded it in 1955, and it was featured as the first track on his seminal double album West Coast Jazz.[6]
• One of the most popular recordings was by Louis Armstrong, featured in his 1958 album Louis Under the Stars.
• The Four Freshmen recorded it on their album Four Freshmen and Five Saxes (1957).[7]
• Keely Smith recorded it in 1958 for her Capitol album, Politely[8] with Billy May & His Orchestra.
• Lee Wiley recorded it for West of the Moon (1958).
• Ella Fitzgerald included this on her 1959 Verve release Ella Fitzgerald Sings Sweet Songs for Swingers with the Frank De Vol Orchestra and Harry "Sweets" Edison on trumpet.
• Frank Sinatra recorded it on I Remember Tommy (1961).
• Al Hirt released a version on his 1962 album, Trumpet and Strings.[9]
• Cal Tjader recorded the song on his 1964 album, Breeze from the East.[10]
• Ellis Marsalis recorded the song in the Wynton Marsalis album of 1991, Standard Time Vol. 2.
• Tony Bennett recorded the song on his 1992 tribute to Sinatra Perfectly Frank.
• Betty Carter recorded the song on her 1996 album I'm Yours, You're Mine.
• Diana Krall recorded the song on her album When I Look in Your Eyes (1999).

Other versions recorded include:

• Billie Holiday,[11]
• Tommy Dorsey,[12]
• Dakota Staton,[13] Lester Young,[14]
• Scott Hamilton (1993),[15]
• Sonny and Perley (1999),[16]
• Alexis Cole (2005),[17]
• Rebecca Parris (2007),[18] and Joshua Redman (2007).[19]

References

1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-10-02. Retrieved 2016-03-31.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-03-12. Retrieved 2013-03-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
3. "Sarah Vaughan - Sarah Vaughan In Hi-Fi". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
4. "Charlie Parker - Complete Legendary Rockland Palace Dance Date 1952 -". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
5. "Benny Goodman - Sextet". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
6. "Stan Getz, Conte Candoli - West Coast Jazz". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
7. "Four Freshmen and Five Saxes/Four Freshmen and Five Guitars - The Four Freshmen | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. 1999-12-28. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
8. Dave Nathan. "Politely! - Keely Smith | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
9. Scott Yanow. "Trumpet and Strings - Al Hirt | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
10. Stephen Cook. "Breeze from the East - Cal Tjader | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
11. "Billie Holiday - Verve Jazz Masters 47: Billie Holiday Sings Standards". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
12. Tommy Dorsey, A Portrait of Tommy Dorsey Retrieved 09-19-11
13. "Dakota Staton - Spotlight on Dakota Staton (Great Ladies of Song)". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
14. "Lester Young - Movin' With Lester". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
15. "Scott Hamilton - East Of The Sun". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
16. "sonny and perley - east of the sun". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
17. "Alexis Cole | Nearer the Sun | CD Baby Music Store". Cdbaby.com. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
18. "Rebecca Parris - You Don't Know Me". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
19. "JOSHUA TRIO REDMAN - Back East". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2016-07-26.