Interpreting The Lennon/Mccartney Songbook: Part 1, Early Songs

Click the play button to listen

Since its earliest days, Jazz musicians have used popular songs as springboards for creative interpretation, reimagining these tunes through the art of improvisation.. The great American songbooks of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin, have long been a staple of the jazz repertoire. Do John Lennon and Paul McCartney belong in this exalted company? I think they do, and there has been a renewed interest among jazz musicians, with recent Beatles cover albums by Americans and Europeans alike.

Considering the enduring nature of their compositions, it is remarkable that The Beatles recorded life spanned just a few years—from 1962 to 1969. But then again, think of the impact John Coltrane had in his 12 year career, or Clifford Brown in his four or so years. In this hour, you'll hear what creative musical minds have come up with as jazz musicians seek to put a new spin on these iconic early Beatles tunes.

Featured artists include Bill Frisell, Count Basie, Scott Robinson, Don Byron, Christian Sands and Joscho Stephan.

Comments