Style:

Ballad.

Form:

A-B-C (10 Bars) [4-4-2]

Arrangements:

The head is commonly played twice on the way in and out. The final 2 bars are also often used as a tag ending to finish the performance.

Key:

Bb Major

Harmony/Overview:

The harmony of this composition is functional, made up almost entirely of II-V-I's. Despite the frequent use of tri-tone substitution the piece never ceases to lose its sense of tranquility, and in just the 6th bar  it reaches its climax with an ingenious maneuver of contrary motion between the bass and melody.

Recordings:

This song has been recorded over 150 times to date. The first recording comes from Horace Silver's 1959 album Blowin' the Blues Away. Although Horace Silver was mostly known for his catchy groove-based  tunes, he managed to compose one of the most beloved jazz ballads in the repertoire. Doug Carn's later addition of lyrics also helped to open up the piece to many vocalists.

JGC Top Picks:

Bobby McFerrin, Bobby McFerrin, 1982

Mike Stern, Standards and Other Songs, 1992

Mulgrew Miller, Live at Yoshi's Vol. 1, 2003