Summertime

@frogman:

The tune is clearly Blues-based in tonality, so having an opera singer perform it, thereby draining it of all its bluesiness, is nothing I personally want to hear. No doubt others will disagree. 

Simply offered for comparison's sake, here are three versions by Jazz singers: 


Billie Holiday: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8eLHZXv-60

Ella:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2bigf337aU

Sassy: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmofX0rE6CQ

I think you miss the point. Clearly a great tune can be performed in different styles. However, I think there is value in understanding that the tune was composed for an opera, Porgy and Bess and meant to be performed in an operatic style by an operatic singer, not a jazz singer. If you understand the history of the work and its place in music and culture of the time it might make more sense to you. Btw, that “place in music and culture” is the reason why the work is controversial today. That was the reason for posting that version….for perspective’s sake. Personally, knowing where the tune is coming from adds a great deal to appreciating renditions in other styles.

I have always liked the posted versions very much. Here is a favorite:

https://youtu.be/gfYlzSeSFu4

Apparently, according to American Routes, Duke Ellington was not a fan either.  Though he did make a version of it.

Add this one to the list of covers..
Joanne Shaw Taylor