Johnny Otis / Harlem Nocturne

[newaccountdebzbd]

Damn, makes me want to don a trench coat and tail somebody through the sin-stinkin streets.

[beaconmike]

I did not realize that Johnny and Etta had both passed away the same week. That is almost eerie, in that it was Mr. Otis, who first auditioned Etta and signed her to a recording contract.

[fredb8267]

RIP Johnny....thanks for this one and many others...

[MrKaydewest]

RIP JOHNNY OTIS -  LORENZO MENDOZA

[GrimlyFiendishJr]

as one of those who played his work and listened attentively in Berkeley; TYVM for all you've done and we will remember you now and always [deeisaac/KALX 90.7fm 1978-1983]

[therobinthrushjrband]

I've hear smoother versions, but this original one has the most feeling and is the best!

[56postoffice]

Wow. First I hear Etta James passed away, now Johnnie Otis. On the same day: 20/01/12. Two giants. RIP, Johnnie & Etta

[jackierave]

@56postoffice He had a lovely long life.. and gee she was something !!! Nobody, and I truly mean NOBODY could sing "At Last " as wonderful as she ! I listen to them from as a teen and still do...

[purkasz]

I had this tune on Johnny's album but it got lost during earthquake of 1994 in Hollywood Hills. I gotta thank Robert Carmac for sending me this cuz the Rene Block performance has been in my head and heart ever since. Now he's back.

[ToThirio]

R.I.P. Johnny Voliotis, great Greek! Greece forever!

[ToThirio]

R.I.P. Johnny Voliotis, great Greek! Greece forever!

[wsegen]

loved his show on kpfa. we were so lucky to have him up in the bay area for his "retirement." RIP

[Zolton2011]

THE most mysterious of all melodys, Dark and Beautiful... Sinister and Hypnotic, Diminished Whole Tone scale or Melodic Minor Magic...I use it all the time.

Thank you Sir ! RIP.

[sdlxyz]

Rest In Peace Mr. Otis. Thanks for everything!

[david91326]

R.I.P. Johnny Otis - He passed away on January 17, 2012 at the age of 90.

[dragon6748]

Haha, for the Georgia Bridgemen's 2009-10 Half-time show, this was played. It was loud and amazing. But the originals are always better. :]

[rememberbeginning]

I actually purchased this version once on Amazon downloads and it was labeled under Bill Doggett. This is my favorite version anyhow.

[Mrjkunstopable]

1 dislike



[man975dog]

wow. this famous and beautiful music has so many versions to it. i didn't know it was around since at least the 1940's. nice music has no age like my mom said to me and mom was right.

[CubeFish1524]

How does he do that ornament thing at 0:28 (at the beginning of the phrase)?

[Phil1stalk]

Man, these guys are bad assed. They have a very rich, deep sound. It's a very lush sound. I don't know why people don't make this arrangement longer, back and forth between the sax solo and refrains. This could easily be 2 or 3 times as long and still not be boring by anyone doing a good job, though I don't see anyone doing that. Very heady composition. Maybe I'll record the long version and upload it from my heady soul.

[hassledguy]

@Phil1stalk ..if they stretched it out it wouldn't have fit on a 78

[DeadSkunk24]

soprano

[theotherguy245689]

theres a disco version out there somewhere by some expirimental group its really good but i cant find it

[tonespinner]

Is this the Johnny Otis that is Shuggie Otis' father?

[1Bluesboy1]

@tonespinner Yes!

[kastellos]

@tonespinner Yes it is.

[dal4018]

@tonespinner YES IT IS!!!!!!!!! This was usd as theme music for the 80's tv show MIKE HAMMER!!!!!!!!!!

[beaconmike]

@dal4018 It was also probably used in the original Mike Hammer series in the 50's.

[dal4018]

@beaconmike Your probably right.

[bearriver666]

@tonespinner Yes

[tftka]

To me, this is one of the "baddest" songs not written by Ellington & Strayhorn.

[jor99912]

This song sounds like it Predated EARL BOSTIC. A little before my time. During the BIG BAND Era you had to really 'BLOW!!

[LIN11831]

clarinet lead--not a sax

[Voxateuri]

@LIN11831 Sounds like a soprano sax to me.

[bellgardens53]

Yes, this is one real great version, perhaps the BEST! ...and I know J Otis didn't write it, but who cares. LOL

[felineth56]

Best version ever!!

[conchuchu64]

hE WAS GREAT AND i MISSS HIS MUSIC.

[ccaammiiittoo1]

It has certainly raised eyebrows within many R&B circles why the name Johnny Otis isn't menitoned in the same breath as Dick Clark and Arthur Freed, for starters. Movie star handsome, Otis was the son of Greek Americans and a great mover behind the R&B movement. I personally thought Otis should've release his own anthology on the development of R&B and that would clarify some of the confusing surrounding its development. He was a giant influence, to be sure.

[bellgardens53]

@ccaammiiittoo1 I wish too that Otis could write an autobiograpy or something similar. He was a giant inflyence as you say. OMG, is this a cool one.

[KidEllington]

wow this guy's vibrato is constant. He must've soaked the saxophone reed in water

[mrkeel2]

As far as I can tell, there wasn't anthing Jonny Otis did that wasn't good.....

[lesbellesduswing]

great

[jrcadet4]

Gods--- it's haunted me from childhood, this song. And it's lost nothing over time, either. Still as haunting.

[bdanex]

Rene Block is amazing!

Anyone have recent news of Johnny Otis? He had a stroke I think, a while ago.

[kunkelponi]

Johnny Otis was so cool, and didn't even know it. Way a head of his time.

[guilleyourtube]

Great! The only song that reminds me of the New York I never knew ...

[whythewar1]

If it was allowed , I would marry a sax!

[TheTaurenchief]

i enjoyed planing this in my ensamble im Bass trombone bass power to the max!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[whythewar1]

@TheTaurenchief planing?

[thecolezone]

wow

[usfins]

Brilliant

[JubalCalif]

This song was written by Earl Hagen, NOT Johnny Otis.

[iplaypian0]

@JubalCalif its played by johnny otis

[oklahomma]

@JubalCalif Otis arranged it then?

[Vitarai]

@JubalCalif Did anyone claim otherwise? The performance is still by Johnny Otis who had the first hit recording of it.

[JubalCalif]

@Vitarai

Yes, one of the older comments said something about Otis writing out. I left my comment to clarify. Did anyone claim this performance is NOT Otis?

[rhonddanunes]

@JubalCalif ; True. But big props to Johnny for helping other musicians to break into the business including Etta James and Big Mama Thornton. RIP Johnny.

[browndog2233]

Frank Zappa has cited Otis as the inspiration for his distinctive trademark facial hair, stating in an interview conducted by Simpsons creator Matt Groening and Guitar Player magazine editor Don Menn, "It looked good on Johnny Otis, so I grew it." -Wikipedia

[JubalCalif]

Yowzers! What a delightful rendition of one of my all time favorite jazz instrumentals. THANKS for posting it! May ALL your wishes & dreams come true in the New Year! :)

[jonieheffner]

zay and bub loved this one, I can relate

from a very early age.

[rblechta]

TheOriginalEntz: I agree, but this is actually a recording of the original arrangement -- and it became the template from which everyone spins off their arrangements. And at the time this was considered a very cool arrangement.

[Localulu27]

Intoxicating

[renerevuelta1]

I'm back in my favorite strip joint. Take it off, baby !

[Gnyeska]

probably sopran sax or you are right and it's a clarinet. but! its' s so awesome!!!!!

[1Bluesboy1]

That's Rene Block on Alto Sax

[ChingaChe]

@1Bluesboy1 And Teddy Buckner on trumpet.

[hollisterseagullJS]

hey does anyone know if this is a sax? it sounds kinda like a clarinet!

[strezzedoutz]

alto sax with a lot of vibrato

[jonieheffner]

..yes, nothing could satisfy better than

the alto sax.

[92elrtv2]

i was a little unsure at first but i am almost positive that it is a saxophone because i play clarinet and there are a few things that he does that are not natural for a clarinet

great tune!

[NotSoDivineMsM]

It's obvious to musicians that this sounds NOTHING like a clarinet....This is definitely a saxophone!!!!!!!! Johnny Otis used to perform a lot when I was younger and put on a fabulous show everytime!!!!!!!

[prunellapussywuggums]

if this isn't the definitive "New York, 3:00 AM, Drizzly Night song" I dont't know what is. Does any song inspire or evoke a feeling more?

[TheOriginalEntz]

what a shitty setting for such a nice song. I was thinking more like being in a jazz club slow dancing with your lover or being by the fire.

[prunellapussywuggums]

obviously the term Noir escapes you----you haven't seen enough detective movies from the 40's--60's.

[Altsaxy]

Awsome, my favorite version of this dark melody. Shame we'll never see him play.

[jamesmswett]

i wish i could play the way he does!!!!!!!

[wuastr]

Johnny Otis is a genuine Renaissance Man; master of Swing, R&B, Jump Blues, plus a bunch of other achievements that stifles my mind.

Harlem Nocturne is the quintessential Film Noir soundtrack.

[jafigueroa41]

Superior... clásico.

Gracias.

[MusicIdiotSavante]

Still outstanding, even today!  Thank you for posting!