Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)" is a song composed by George Gershwin with lyrics by

Ira Gershwin Ira Gershwin (born Israel Gershovitz; December 6, 1896 – August 17, 1983) was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs in the English language of the 2 ...

and Gus Kahn. It was introduced in 1929 by Ruby Keeler (as Dixie Dugan) in

Florenz Ziegfeld Florenz Edward Ziegfeld Jr. (; March 21, 1867 – July 22, 1932) was an American Broadway impresario, notable for his series of theatrical revues, the ''Ziegfeld Follies'' (1907–1931), inspired by the ''Folies Bergère'' of Paris. He also p ...

's musical ''

Show Girl A showgirl is a female dancer or performer in a stage entertainment show intended to showcase the performer's physical attributes, typically by way of revealing clothing, toplessness, or nudity. History Showgirls date back to the late 180 ...

''. The stage performances were accompanied by the

Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington was based ...

Orchestra. On the show's opening night in Boston on June 25, 1929, Keeler's husband and popular singer Al Jolson suddenly stood up from his seat in the third row and sang a chorus of the song, much to the surprise of the audience and Gershwin himself. Jolson recorded the song a few days later on July 6, 1929, and his rendition rose to number nine on the charts of the day.

Other notable recordings

A popular

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 lis ...

, the song has been recorded by: *

Ipana Troubadors ''The Ipana Troubadors'' (aka ''The Ipana Troubadours'') was a musical variety radio program which began in New York on WEAF in 1923. In actuality, the Troubadors were the Sam Lanin Orchestra. They opened the show with their theme, "Smiles." The ...

, vocal by Smith Ballew, recorded July 9, 1929 for Columbia Records (catalog No. 1903D). * Leo Reisman and His Orchestra, recorded July 9, 1929 for Victor Records (catalog No. 22069A). *

Fletcher Henderson James Fletcher Hamilton Henderson (December 18, 1897 – December 29, 1952) was an American pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer, important in the development of big band jazz and swing music. He was one of the most prolific black musi ...

and His Orchestra - recorded on September 25, 1934 for Decca Records (catalog No. 555). * Art Tatum Swingsters - recorded on October 9, 1934 for Decca Records (catalog No. 1373). * Teddy Wilson - a single release on the Brunswick label in 1935. *

Benny Goodman Benjamin David Goodman (May 30, 1909 – June 13, 1986) was an American clarinetist and bandleader known as the "King of Swing". From 1936 until the mid-1940s, Goodman led one of the most popular swing big bands in the United States. His co ...

Quartet, recorded August 2, 1937 for Victor Records (catalog No. 25660). *

Chick Webb William Henry "Chick" Webb (February 10, 1905 – June 16, 1939) was an American jazz and swing music drummer and band leader. Early life Webb was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to William H. and Marie Webb. The year of his birth is disputed. ...

and His Orchestra - recorded on May 3, 1938 for Decca Records (catalog No. 1840). * Paul Whiteman Swinging Strings - recorded on November 15, 1938 for Decca Records (catalog No. 2223). * Frankie Carle and His Orchestra, recorded April 2, 1942 for Columbia Records (catalog No. 36689). * Ethel Smith - recorded on October 24, 1944 for Decca Records (catalog No. 23426). *

The Quintet of the Hot Club of France The Quintette du Hot Club de France ("The Quintet of the Hot Club of France"), often abbreviated "QdHCdF" or "QHCF", was a jazz group founded in France in 1934 by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli and active in one form ...

, featuring Django Reinhardt - recorded January 2, 1946 for Decca Records. * Al Jolson - he recorded it again on June 11, 1947. *

Bing Crosby Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, musician and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwide. He was a ...

- recorded May 21, 1954 with John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra. * Thelonious Monk - included in his album '' The Unique Thelonious Monk'' (1956) and again in '' Monk'' (1964). * The Four Freshmen - included in their album '' Four Freshmen and Five Saxes'' (1957). * Chet Atkins - on '' Finger-Style Guitar'' (1957). * Bobby Darin - included in his album '' Bobby Darin Sings The Shadow of Your Smile'' (1966). *

Herbie Hancock Herbert Jeffrey Hancock (born April 12, 1940) is an American jazz pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, and composer. Hancock started his career with trumpeter Donald Byrd's group. He shortly thereafter joined the Miles Davis Quintet, where he help ...

and

Chick Corea Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea (June 12, 1941 – February 9, 2021) was an American jazz composer, pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, and occasional percussionist. His compositions "Spain", " 500 Miles High", "La Fiesta", "Armando's Rhumba", and ...

- on album '' An Evening with Herbie Hancock & Chick Corea: In Concert'' - recorded February 1978 for Columbia Records (catalog No. 35663). * Michael Feinstein - for his album '' Pure Gershwin'' (1987). *

Mel Tormé Melvin Howard Tormé (September 13, 1925 – June 5, 1999), nicknamed "The Velvet Fog", was an American musician, singer, composer, arranger, drummer, actor, and author. He composed the music for "The Christmas Song" ("Chestnuts Roasting on an Op ...

- for his album '' Velvet & Brass'' (1995). * Judy Garland - a 1963 TV version included in the album ''The Show That Got Away'' (2002). * Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli - recorded together in 1943, included in ''Bioshock'''s Licensed Soundtrack (2007).

Film appearances

*1945 Rhapsody in Blue *1945 George White's Scandals - performed on the Hammond B3 Organ by Ethel Smith. *1946 The Jolson Story - sung by Larry Parks (dubbed by Al Jolson), danced by Evelyn Keyes. *1946 The Big Sleep - heard outside Eddie Mars' house *1947 The Man I Love - played by San on the piano when Petey calls the Bamboo Club. *1951 An American in Paris *1951 Starlift - sung and danced by

Patrice Wymore Patrice Wymore Flynn (born Patricia Wymore; December 17, 1926 – March 22, 2014) was an American film, television and stage actress of the 1950s and 1960s, known for her marriage to Errol Flynn. Early life and stage career Born Patricia Wymor ...

(singing dubbed by Bonnie Lou Williams)

In popular culture

Liza Minnelli Liza May Minnelli ( ; born March 12, 1946) is an American actress, singer, dancer, and choreographer. Known for her commanding stage presence and powerful alto singing voice, Minnelli is among a rare group of performers awarded an Emmy, Grammy ...

performed the number at her 2008-9 concert '' Liza's at The Palace...!''. It is also included in the 2015 Broadway musical An American in Paris, a joke on the mispronunciation of "Lise" - the female lead's name - by the American Jerry Mulligan. The song inspired Judy Garland to name her first child Liza (Minnelli). Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappeli's licensed version appears as a song in Bioshock (2007). Players will hear it upon activating a jukebox in the level, and will hear its notable tune during the Farmer's Market section. Featured in-game, the song has been slowed down whilst the original recording is played at slightly faster speed.

Notes

{{authority control 1929 songs 1920s jazz standards Songs with music by George Gershwin Songs with lyrics by Ira Gershwin Songs with lyrics by Gus Kahn Al Jolson songs Liza Minnelli songs Jazz compositions in D-flat major

Other notable recordings

Film appearances

In popular culture

See also

Notes