Style:

Typically swung, played at a wide variety of tempos.

Form:

A-B-A-C (32 Bars) [8-8-8-8]

Arrangements:

The final 4 bars of the form are commonly used as a tag ending.

Key:

Most commonly played in Eb Major.

Harmony/Overview:

The  harmony is of this composition is very functional. The A sections begin in the relative minor before a IImi7b5 - V7 modulates to IIImi in the 5th bar. The B section is also very conventional, beginning with a II - V  of IV before a II - V of bVII. It then proceeds with a minor II - V of V before a bVI7 - V7 turnaround to the tonic deceptively resolves to a minor II - V that returns back to the relative minor. The C section begins with Vmi7 - IVmi7 before a a minor II - V resolves to IImi7 and a  brief II - V of bIII deceptively resolves back to IMaj7 before the  iconic tag ending finishes the form.

Recordings:

This song has been recorded over 530 times to date. It was first recorded by Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra in 1932. The composition was immensely popular amongst jazz musicians, having been recorded by the likes of  Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Nat King Cole, and even John Coltrane. It continues to be performed and recorded frequently to this day.

JGC Top Picks:

Bill Evans, Explorations, 1961

Allan Holdsworth, None Too Soon, 1996

Kurt Rosenwinkel, Intuit, 1999