"Day Dream" is a

jazz standard Jazz standards are musical compositions that are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive List ...

composed by

Billy Strayhorn William Thomas Strayhorn (November 29, 1915 – May 31, 1967) was an American jazz composer, pianist, lyricist, and arranger who collaborated with bandleader and composer Duke Ellington for nearly three decades. His compositions include "Take the ...

with lyrics by John Latouche and written in 1939. It was first recorded by saxophonist

Johnny Hodges Johnny Hodges (July 25, 1907 – May 11, 1970) was an American alto saxophone, alto saxophonist, best known for solo work with Duke Ellington's big band. He played lead alto in the saxophone section for many years. Hodges was also featured on sop ...

and his ensemble on November 2, 1940. Duke Ellington was credited as co-composer on the label of the original 78 RPM release, though he is not generally considered to be one of the song's creators.

Background

On March 23, 1939,

Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American Jazz piano, jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous Big band, jazz orchestra from 1924 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D ...

and his orchestra boarded the SS ''Île de France'' for a spring tour of

Europe Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...

. Strayhorn was working for Ellington at the time but was allowed to remain at his

Harlem Harlem is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, New York City. It is bounded roughly by the Hudson River on the west; the Harlem River and 155th Street on the north; Fifth Avenue on the east; and Central Park North on the south. The greater ...

residence. Thus, he had nearly seven weeks to work on new compositions and arrangements. "Day Dream" was composed during this time.

Notable recordings

By Johnny Hodges

*''Day Dream / Junior Hop'' (Bluebird 11021, 1940) *''Memories Of Ellington'' (Norgran, 1954) *''

Johnny Hodges with Billy Strayhorn and the Orchestra __NOTOC__ ''Johnny Hodges with Billy Strayhorn and the Orchestra'' is a 1962 studio album by Johnny Hodges accompanied by an orchestra arranged by Billy Strayhorn. The album features many members of Duke Ellington's orchestra. The album was reis ...

'' (Verve, 1962)

By Duke Ellington

*'' The Carnegie Hall Concerts: January 1943'' (released 1977) *'' Duke Ellington Presents...'' (1956), ''

Duke Ellington's Jazz Violin Session ''Duke Ellington's Jazz Violin Session'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded in 1963 but not released on the Atlantic label until 1976.

'' (recorded 1963, released 1976) *'' ...And His Mother Called Him Bill'' (1968)

By others

Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April25, 1917June15, 1996) was an American singer, songwriter and composer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phra ...

– ''

Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Songbook Ella is a feminine given name, which also used as a surname. Ella (or similar) may also refer to: Places United States * Ella, Kentucky, an unincorporated community * Ella, Oregon, an unincorporated community * Ella, Pennsylvania, an unincor ...

'' (1957) *

Jo Stafford Jo Elizabeth Stafford (November 12, 1917July 16, 2008) was an American traditional pop singer, whose career spanned five decades from the late 1930s to the early 1980s. Admired for the purity of her voice, she originally underwent classical tr ...

– ''

Jo + Jazz Jo, jo, JO, or J.O. may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Jo'' (film), a 1972 French comedy * ''Jo'' (TV series), a French TV series *"Jo", a song by Goldfrapp from ''Tales of Us'' *"Jo", a song by Mr. Oizo from '' Lambs Anger'' * Jo a ficti ...

'' (1960) * Rita Moss – '' Daydream 7-inch EP (Rozell)'' (1959) *Billy Strayhorn – ''The Peaceful Side'' (1961) *

Thad Jones Thaddeus Joseph Jones (March 28, 1923 – August 20, 1986) was an American jazz trumpeter, composer and bandleader who has been called "one of the all-time greatest jazz trumpet soloists". Early life, family and education Thad Jones was born i ...

– ''The Danish Radio Big Band and Eclipse'' (1978) *

Sarah Vaughan Sarah Lois Vaughan (, March 27, 1924 – April 3, 1990) was an American jazz singer and pianist. Nicknamed "Sassy" and "List of nicknames of jazz musicians, The Divine One", she won two Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, ...

– '' The Duke Ellington Songbook, Vol. 1'' (1979) *

Betty Carter Betty Carter (born Lillie Mae Jones; May 16, 1929 – September 26, 1998) was an American jazz singer known for her improvisational technique, scatting and other complex musical abilities that demonstrated her vocal talent and imaginative inter ...

– '' Feed the Fire'' (1993) *

June Christy June Christy (born Shirley Luster; November 20, 1925 – June 21, 1990) was an American singer, known for her work in the cool jazz genre and for her silky smooth vocals. Her success as a singer began with The Stan Kenton Orchestra. She pursued ...

– ''

The Misty Miss Christy ''The Misty Miss Christy'' is a 1956 studio album by June Christy. Christy sings several jazz standards, along with a few lesser-known tunes. Pete Rugolo arranged the songs and conducted the orchestra, which consisted of different combinations ...

'' (1956), '' Day Dreams'' (1995) *

Chet Baker Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker Jr. (December 23, 1929 – May 13, 1988) was an American jazz trumpeter and vocalist. He is known for major innovations in cool jazz that led him to be nicknamed the "Prince of Cool". Baker earned much attention and ...

– ''Chet Baker Sings and Plays from the Film "Let's Get Lost"'' (1998)

References

Songs with music by Duke Ellington Songs with music by Billy Strayhorn Songs with lyrics by John La Touche (lyricist) 1940s jazz standards 1940 songs Nancy Wilson (jazz singer) songs Ella Fitzgerald songs Jo Stafford songs {{pop-standard-stub