Disco versions of jazz standards

**K-Bee** · January 18th, 2003, 09:57 AM

Lots of old show tunes and film songs were jazzified in the 40s - 50's. Other original jazz compositions are now so famous that they are considered standards and appear in various versions of the "Real Book" series.

Has any of these classic tunes ever been discofied???

I know only:
Girl from Ipanema - disco version by Gary criss (the Stan Getz classic)
Summer of 42 - disco version by Biddu orchestra (loads of jazz versions: Monty Alexander, Ellington, Basie a.o)

Any other U might think of??

**Bernie** · January 18th, 2003, 10:46 AM

I guess Ethel Merman's campy Disco renditions of classic show tunes from 1979 qualifies. The CD reissue offcially goes on sale Jan 28.

http://www.discomusic.com/cds/merman_ethel.html

**BrunoRepublic** · January 18th, 2003, 11:55 AM

Duke Ellington's "Caravan", done by El Coco
I don't know who originally did Poinciana, but I've got three disco versions of it -- MFSB, El Coco, and Milton Hamilton Crystalized.

**NickNack** · January 18th, 2003, 02:05 PM

Graham,

I thought you were going to mention Milton Hamilton's "My Love Supreme" because I always assumed by the title it was a take on Coltrane's "A Love Supreme". Am I mistaken?

**Nano** · January 18th, 2003, 02:49 PM

There's a version of "Poinciana" by Frankie Crocker and The Heart & Soul Orchestra. I saw the record the other day, it's from Casablanca.
The jazz version I know and like a lot is from Ahmad Jamal, he did it several times but the most famous take is in his live record "But not for me", from 1958. Just piano, acoustic bass and drums. A real delight. BTW, this is the jazz pianist that influenced Miles Davis about the sense of space and the "modal" style he developed with his first and most famous quintet, the one that recorded "Kind of blue" in 1959.

**PhyllisHyman** · January 18th, 2003, 05:27 PM

A remix album of Verve classics came out last year. Not so much disco-fied but funked up. It is a fantasic chill-out/summer album and works really well.
Highlights are:
Nina Simone - See Line Woman
Nina Simone - Feelin' Good
Saragh Vaughan - Summertime
Willi Bobo - Spanish Grease

**DJ-Pir** · January 18th, 2003, 06:01 PM

Well, if we consider In the mood by Glenn Miller a jazz classic...
This got "discofied" in '85 by one Arthur Barrow in a pretty tacky way..
On the B-side however the 12" holds a superb vocal version of Moonlight serenade by Thelma Houston, love that one.

**NickNack** · January 18th, 2003, 08:45 PM

Originally Written by DJ-Pir

On the B-side however the 12" holds a superb vocal version of Moonlight serenade by Thelma Houston, love that one.

This is GREAT! Played it to death. Never even touched the 'A' side.

Speaking of 'Big Band' jazz, "Sing, Sing, Sing" got discofied by Calello Orchestra on Midsong.

**Mixmachine** · January 18th, 2003, 09:31 PM

there are so many in this category, didn't John Davis do "moon light Seranate too? I used to play "sing Sing " a lot people used to love this remake, any ways one of my faves is "what a difference a day makes" Esther Phillips, I forgot who did the originals, mmmmm

**K-Bee** · January 19th, 2003, 04:39 AM

Mixmachine: I think the most famous version of "What A Diffence...." was by Dinah Washington in the early 60's

Nicknack: I don't now the Milton Hamilton take on A love Supreme but but the original coltrane classic was covered 1987 by Will Downing & and an outstanding remix was made by Arthur Baker.
How could I forget about that one.
A disco version of Sing Sing Sing??? That sounds very Campy.

**NickNack** · January 19th, 2003, 10:29 AM

Originally Written by K-Bee

Nicknack: I don't now the Milton Hamilton take on A love Supreme but but the original coltrane classic was covered 1987 by Will Downing & and an outstanding remix was made by Arthur Baker.
How could I forget about that one.

Yes, you're right. Have them both and I totally forgot about the Arthur Baker version.

A disco version of Sing Sing Sing??? That sounds very Campy.

The Charlie Calello version is very strong. Big favorite here. It was like 'early jungle' with big band sizzle. Always got the crowd up and dancing. The 'b' side of the 12" is another take on "In The Mood".

**SandraDee** · January 19th, 2003, 04:58 PM

Some other examples that spring to mind are 'Fever' by Sylvester (& Roy Ayers), 'Tangerine' by Salsoul Orchestra, Paradise Express's version (yet another!) of 'Poinciana' & Marlene Shaw's 'It Was A Very Goog Year' (is that a jazz song though? I'm not sure because jazz is as broad a description of music as 'disco' is!)