Mel Torme never ceases to amaze me. I mean that's Nat King Cole he's backing (very competently).. one of the greatest and most influential piano stylists of all time
I agree that the market drives culture but culture has autonomous value too. Nat Cole was a genius and at that point in capitalism products were admired because of their relationship to older cultural values,so his virtuostic imagination was prized. Rock and Roll came in as the result of the ultimate hegemony of the youth market, a bastardization of the boogy-woogy blues of black people who were less affected because exclude from capitalism.Vital music to be distilled for profit. No time...
@Swansoni333 Of course it did. Capitalism has never ceased to operate since the Industrial Revolution. It's just that you either don't see, or disagree about, its effects, either of which is fine. Everything in "popular culture", by definition, is for sale. Read Charles Dickens.
@Gminor7 The first image that comes to mind when one thinks of capitalism is 1950's America; that was the time of the "Red Scare" and "blacklisting", and it was also an era of much higher quality entertainment and pop culture than today. So "capitalism" is not to blame for the pathetic state of American network tv today, rather the opposite. Ever since "All in the Family" and shows like that the left has tried to use television for social engineering, that is why tv is so bad today.
@Swansoni333 It did not take any social engineering for Jelly Roll Morton to replace Scott Joplin, or for Earl Hines and later Nat Cole to replace Morton, or Herbie Hancock to replace Nat Cole. You clearly do not understand that "popular culture" is determined only by "what sells" in capitalism. If there is any "culture"supported by something other than the market, it is by definition not capitalist. Popular culture is no different from toothpaste. Vulgarity always outsells intelligence.
@Gminor7 You're viewing culture in a very limited way. The reality is that 1950's Pop Culture is far more sophisticated than 2011 pop culture. Also, none of the names that you mentioned were names of pop stars; except for nat king cole. In the 1950's the market was intelligent, and artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis and Frank Sinatra were among the most popular in the US. "Vulgarity" isn't always unsophisticated, just compare the comedy of today to W.C. Fields, Laurel & Hardy, etc.
@Swansoni333 "1950s culture was more sophisticated" - agreed. All we can talk about are general trends - the "market" (capitalism) will determine the contents of culture, and that which doesn't sell will not survive. See the film "Jazz On a Summer's Day" and contemplate the Chico Hamilton Group being followed by Chuck Berry. Sex sells- intelligence does not. So long Nat Cole; hello Lady Gaga. Sinatra/Fitzgerald were intelligent- I agree, but thousands of Toscanini fans did not.
@Eli3459 I attempted to answer your question, and assure you I know what I am talking about, but apparently exceed the character limit on your channel. Briefly - the leveling effect of the "free market", everything is a commercial product, unless it has some non-profit (anti-capitalist by definition) support. Hundreds of books you could read - The Technological Society, J. Ellul, anything of Lewis Mumford, even Plato's Republic or the Book of Exodus. Best wishes.
@Gminor7 but that means that the demand for this type of entertainment has fallen which means that culture change caused the change in entertainment and capitalism just took advantage of the change. It wasn't a direct impact of capitalism.
@Eli3459 If you disagree that "market forces" determine "culture change", we have a fundamental disagreement. Again, since we are talking about "popular music", we are talking about a commercial product no different from toothpaste. Why do the values espoused on "South Park"contradict those of Andy Griffith's Sheriff Taylor? As P.T. Barnum understood, sex, greed and violence sell - truth, intelligence, beauty, peace and harmony do not. Not enough characters on YTube to discuss this. 'Bye
@BINKIE2000 Interestingly, this song was written in 1940; kinda odd that it became a bop standard but it is a great song that does fit the idiom very nicely.
This video reminds us what a great pianist Nat was, and what a swinger Mel was on the trap set- killer stuff, man!!! Oh, and the most unsung guitar hero- Oscar Moore!!! WOWSA!!!!
Now, that's what I call entertainment! Notice how there aren't any weird-looking musicians, big complicated electronic systems to "enhance" the sound, or screaming idiots in the audience. Just some exceptionally talented people, impeccably dressed, and being appreciated for their God-given talents, not for strange behavior or bizarre appearance. Why can't today's artists recapture this?
What has happened to television? Would it not be fantastic to have a show equal to that today? Nat King Cole's talent as a pianist is not given enough exposure today either.
That's right! You are not hallucinating! The great Mel Torme, the superb jazz vocalist known as the Velvet Fog, was also an insanely talented drummer!!! I so love that!!!
Yeah she missed her cue in the first part of the song, but it makes her human because she had a long career. Dang this is so great. I LOVE YOU TUBE....it's so great to be able to listen to these performances from a long time ago. Thank you!
I always wondered why Oscar Peterson, loved Nat's piano playing so much, and i've heard Nat play before, but not like this! and now i hear Nat's style of playing in the sounds of Oscar Peterson. Everybody incredible!
@Dontaking2008 Oscar was a genius in his own right, for sure, but after watching him accompany Nat on vocals, it's not hard to see that what Oscar admired about Nat's playing was his ability to back his own voice so simply and tastily. Nat and Oscar Moore on guitar defined and entire genre of drumless jazz, and don't often get credited with it. The early Nat Cole Trio albums are gems of a unique jazz style.
¡Simplemente espectacular!. Mel Tormé también fue un gran cantante de jazz, profesor de canto, arreglador y aquí baterista!!!. June es una de las GRANDES cantantes de jazz con una afinación impecable, cada nota clara como una tecla de piano, un fraseo espectacular y una articulación genial. Busquen el álbum (ahora en CD) "Something Cool", con big-band arreglada y dirigida por Pete Rugolo.
Three Great performers Together !!Love it! Her vibrato voice at the and of her phrase remind's me so much the Great Mrs Anita o' Day,Thank you so much for share this wonderful and treasure video.
Awesome performance that reminds us how easily the pros could sing, without close in mikes and exaggerated hand gestures and without straining. Nat Cole was a heck of a piano player and Mel Torme was a fine drummer. Great!
I do believe Nat plays about half of the 1st phrase of The Girl I left Behind Me at 1:46. He and Tatum threw in stuff like that right and left, Dvorak etc.
@klrietmann ...and a bit of "The Girl I left Behind Me" at 3:06. What a superb pianist was ol' Mr. Cole....and Mel just blows me away on drums here as well.
A true super star group - how wonderful to see three such great artists working together as if they'd been in the same band for years. And Mel Torme - a really cool drummer to boot. Nat Cole, an inspirational pianist and June Christie blessed with a perfect voice. For the next number Nat and Mel sing and June plays drums - maybe?
This was the first time I heard June Christy: my mom has the 78 rpm of Stan Kenton's "How High The Moon" with Vocal by June Christy. On the 78, June scats on the instrumental bridge which unfortunately she does not do here on this exquisite piece. But of course I totally fell in love with June with the original mono release of "Something Cool," again from mom's collection. June's rendtion and adaptation of Black author/poet Langston Hughes' "Lonely House" from this lp defies description.
thank you thank you thank you!!! I had this on VHS when I was in highschool (my friends didn't understand - 80s headbanger, I was) and lost the tape since then. I looked for it here on Youtube a couple years ago and forgot about it... thank you!!!
This kind of programming was on the tube every week, nearly every night when there were only 3 networks. You can't find it in 6 mos. of 100 channels today.
So true. But the talent is beautiful. She's so fresh and intensely musical; and Cole is everything wonderful: a great jazz pianist and a lovely vocalist. IThe inter-racial aspect--in the 1950's--is worth noting too. By the way, Nat Cole's vocals when he's with the Trio (ca 1940's) are fabulous!
Your words took me all the way back to my mother's house when I was a kid, being frustrated because 2 to 3 good artists-specials-movies would be on at the same time on the 4 networks we could receive in San Diego, which were NBC, CBS, ABC and then newcomer PBS. Talent every night of the week. As I post this, I am back here at mom's house, having cut off the cable television because, like you have so eloquently stated, there is not a damn thing is on television worth watching.
Yeah. And back then viewers took fantastic TV shows such as the Nat King Cole Show for granted. But at least someone recorded it and we can watch it now.
Cole is somewhat forgotten as a great pianist, before his success as a vocalist; Torme is all-but-forgotten as a drummer (ditto)... Christie is remembered mostly for "The Midnight Sun" (a great recording)...
@brixtonbluebeat - My goodness! Three legendary artists: Nat King Cole, June Christy, Mel Torme-smooth, velvet crooner getting down on the drums. These 3 greats in the same room during the same song, and all you can focus on is a perceived "missed cue?" As a professional singer, I'd think your focus would be the music. That's what music lovers care about. It's a "so what?" There's Nat; there's June, and there's Mel Torme. You ain't know?
i was not criticising - i love it, and all of them. All I was saying was that we all make mistakes, and we our our own worst critics - it's just a relief [for me] that, even in the midst of such massive talent - we are all human, we all can make a mistake.
It was more of a "thank god, I'm not so bad after all" then a "look at them failing"
I focused on the whole routine - and loved every, single, second!
@brixtonbluebeat I sort of get what you say. But, to me, any perceived mistake shouldn't matter to the degree of compelled to mention it. The greatness should overwhelm, veritably smother, a perceived mistake.
@CheckMate657879 it doesn't matter at all - it was more a comment about myself than them - anyway, nowadays they [the tv programme] would do a retake, this is live and far better than the shows of today because of it.
Nat could really play the hell out of this tune. I have a version of him and Charlie Parker (from 1946) simply tearing through the chord progression of How High The Moon? It's on a CD called Bird's Eyes Volume 18; brilliant stuff.
Where has all the talent gone? Today a big meeting of "Stars" consists of The Jonas Brothers singing with Miley Cyrus. Whoop-de-do. This is a great combination of musical legends. Thanks.
i listened and counted and im not so sure anyone is off with the timing after the solos. I think its just that the lyric "somewhere there's" comes in before the one count with the lyric "music" being directly on the one. The singing should and did start before the measure. Maybe Mel (who knew he could play!? guess that comes from his years with Buddy Rich) should have pulled it back a little early, but i think everyone was in time.
This was very impromtu, and gee, these folks are professional and having some fun! Yeah, Mel could play drums and arrange he hell out of vocals, especially for trios and quartets! Ask me about Mel, I worked with him and he was a hard task master, and great human being and fun to work with! Why are folk so darned critical? Enjoy the music by some great folk who are no longer with us!
I and others thought that June rushed the entrance after the solos, and it took the band a few measures to get re-synchronized.
However, after counting measures all the way through the solos, I believe that she was CORRECT. I can't tell if it was Mel or Nat that messed it up, but it's tough to return out of of drum "fours" when the last one is so syncopated.
Oh well, I guess it's just easier to blame the vocalist.
So what, that happens a lot ...it's Jazz. Quit being so critical and give folk some slack. These are PROFESSIONALS and they were flowing with the tune...people mess up, it doesn't take away from their musicality or knowledge of where 'one' is.
This was not a criticism. Actually, I was just standing up for June because others had suggested earlier that she messed up. It's always easier to blame the singer so I thought it was unjustified and came to her defense.
I've played piano behind dozens of jazz vocalists and I've shared the stage with many jazz legends, including Mel Torme, and I'm well aware how easy it is to get confused after drum fours.
June sang a number of tunes in a fast tempo live. They probably didn't practice or talk about it much before hand. It swings though and I like it a lot as they seem to be having a ball,
"How High the Moon" is an incredibly timeless song that's been done in many different styles by several differet artists. If you like Ella, check out her version from 1974 which was done in a recording studio, or the one she did in Stockholm in 1966. (Both clips have been posted here on Utube).
What a thrill to know at this late date that June is well-remembered and still selling a lot of records for Capitol. Only one album is not yet out on C.D. but eventually will be.
We saw and heard the like of it just last week! The great Bob Dorough visited Jack Sheldon's gig at Jax in Glendale, CA. Ginger and Scott did this song and Ornithology (of course), then we did Sentimental Journey, three part harmony with Dorough. Heaven! You're right, colonlhall, the venues and audiences are not out there. The musicians coming up and their musicianship are awesome and better. Get out there, people! There is nothing like live music!
How effortless was that! Three of my favourite performers together - brilliant! There s a lot of talent out there today, but the musical scene does not throw up the style of music that can produce this type of performance. Watch and enjoy, we'll never see its like again.
Typically witty, relaxed, fiercely-swinging solo from the great Cole, nice work from Torme in the chases, and a swiftly, neatly torn off vocal from the best singer to come out of the Kenton outfit whose name wasn't Anita O'Day. Ella of course would make this one of her signature tunes but June Christy, who did indeed help bring it to prominence, more than holds her own with it, and with the illustrious company. Smashing video.
Excellent!! Nat, June, and Mel in a wonderful performance. Thank you, so much for this video. Keep them coming. And thank you, YouTube, for the venue. Nat's skill as a pianist are clearly shown, Mel's drumming is a surprise, and June is magnificent. Great musicianship keeps it together and smooth. Thanks again.
He both influenced and was influenced by Oscar Peterson. You really should check out the early Nat King Cole Trio records, where he sings and plays the piano--they seem to have a purer jazz sound by way of the small combo than perhaps the heavily orchestral stuff from his later pop records, at least in my opinion...
Wow June shines like no other as well does Nat and Mel. Crazy beautiful. I just wish I lived in those times. They had such soul, rhythm and virtuosity. Something I'm sure still exists except there is no pop culture venue for it to exist like it did then.....unfortunately.
Frank Sinatra have no Chance............
potatoepeter1 1 month ago
where is she runnin'
jelkica26 1 month ago
Gratulation, the world parlament, the best !! i vote it
potatoepeter1 1 month ago
absolut very good !! the old masters make music...!!
potatoepeter1 1 month ago
Mel Torme never ceases to amaze me. I mean that's Nat King Cole he's backing (very competently).. one of the greatest and most influential piano stylists of all time
junkyardphilosopher 2 months ago
I agree that the market drives culture but culture has autonomous value too. Nat Cole was a genius and at that point in capitalism products were admired because of their relationship to older cultural values,so his virtuostic imagination was prized. Rock and Roll came in as the result of the ultimate hegemony of the youth market, a bastardization of the boogy-woogy blues of black people who were less affected because exclude from capitalism.Vital music to be distilled for profit. No time...
princeandrey 2 months ago
The best Jazz' s piano player ever, and great singer Nat King Cole by the way.
lomascampante 2 months ago
June Christy . . . still today one of the best female voices ever. Pure, full, raspy - perfect for the music she sang. Great video.
revrbsj 2 months ago
what a fab performance by June. she's really swinging here, and listening to her sing this tune makes me feel great.
mytube7167 4 months ago
0:08 Guitar player carring his guitar ... FAIL !!
crazyjazz354 5 months ago
Comment removed
crazyjazz354 5 months ago
wow what a room, filled with the greats. what happened to this kind of television
Eli3459 5 months ago
@Eli3459 "What happened to this kind of television?" You really don't understand capitalism?
Gminor7 2 months ago
Comment removed
Eli3459 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
well I think I do seeing as I did a two year course on economics
Eli3459 2 months ago
@Gminor7 yeah that's true, 1950's America had nothing at all to do with capitalism, great point
Swansoni333 2 months ago
@Swansoni333 Of course it did. Capitalism has never ceased to operate since the Industrial Revolution. It's just that you either don't see, or disagree about, its effects, either of which is fine. Everything in "popular culture", by definition, is for sale. Read Charles Dickens.
Gminor7 2 months ago
@Gminor7 The first image that comes to mind when one thinks of capitalism is 1950's America; that was the time of the "Red Scare" and "blacklisting", and it was also an era of much higher quality entertainment and pop culture than today. So "capitalism" is not to blame for the pathetic state of American network tv today, rather the opposite. Ever since "All in the Family" and shows like that the left has tried to use television for social engineering, that is why tv is so bad today.
Swansoni333 2 months ago
@Swansoni333 It did not take any social engineering for Jelly Roll Morton to replace Scott Joplin, or for Earl Hines and later Nat Cole to replace Morton, or Herbie Hancock to replace Nat Cole. You clearly do not understand that "popular culture" is determined only by "what sells" in capitalism. If there is any "culture"supported by something other than the market, it is by definition not capitalist. Popular culture is no different from toothpaste. Vulgarity always outsells intelligence.
Gminor7 2 months ago
@Gminor7 You're viewing culture in a very limited way. The reality is that 1950's Pop Culture is far more sophisticated than 2011 pop culture. Also, none of the names that you mentioned were names of pop stars; except for nat king cole. In the 1950's the market was intelligent, and artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis and Frank Sinatra were among the most popular in the US. "Vulgarity" isn't always unsophisticated, just compare the comedy of today to W.C. Fields, Laurel & Hardy, etc.
Swansoni333 2 months ago
@Swansoni333 "1950s culture was more sophisticated" - agreed. All we can talk about are general trends - the "market" (capitalism) will determine the contents of culture, and that which doesn't sell will not survive. See the film "Jazz On a Summer's Day" and contemplate the Chico Hamilton Group being followed by Chuck Berry. Sex sells- intelligence does not. So long Nat Cole; hello Lady Gaga. Sinatra/Fitzgerald were intelligent- I agree, but thousands of Toscanini fans did not.
Gminor7 2 months ago
@Eli3459 I attempted to answer your question, and assure you I know what I am talking about, but apparently exceed the character limit on your channel. Briefly - the leveling effect of the "free market", everything is a commercial product, unless it has some non-profit (anti-capitalist by definition) support. Hundreds of books you could read - The Technological Society, J. Ellul, anything of Lewis Mumford, even Plato's Republic or the Book of Exodus. Best wishes.
Gminor7 2 months ago
@Gminor7 but that means that the demand for this type of entertainment has fallen which means that culture change caused the change in entertainment and capitalism just took advantage of the change. It wasn't a direct impact of capitalism.
Eli3459 2 months ago
@Eli3459 If you disagree that "market forces" determine "culture change", we have a fundamental disagreement. Again, since we are talking about "popular music", we are talking about a commercial product no different from toothpaste. Why do the values espoused on "South Park"contradict those of Andy Griffith's Sheriff Taylor? As P.T. Barnum understood, sex, greed and violence sell - truth, intelligence, beauty, peace and harmony do not. Not enough characters on YTube to discuss this. 'Bye
Gminor7 2 months ago
@Gminor7 ah yes you see that I agree with, wasn't quite sure about the free market thing, but market control does have an element in this
Eli3459 2 months ago
Today I learned Mel Torme played drums.
alienhuman 5 months ago
One of my favourite versions of the song.
BINKIE2000 5 months ago
@BINKIE2000 Interestingly, this song was written in 1940; kinda odd that it became a bop standard but it is a great song that does fit the idiom very nicely.
SatchmoSings 5 months ago in playlist June Christy
People forget what an innovative and swinging jazz pianist Nat was. What a treat to have had such hot jazz on tap on regular TV!
wildhether 6 months ago 2
Nat King Cole, now that was class, style, genius and beguiling charm all perfectly blended into one extraordinary human being!
RaulSantiagoSebazco 6 months ago 2
This video reminds us what a great pianist Nat was, and what a swinger Mel was on the trap set- killer stuff, man!!! Oh, and the most unsung guitar hero- Oscar Moore!!! WOWSA!!!!
jusplainmark 6 months ago
Now, that's what I call entertainment! Notice how there aren't any weird-looking musicians, big complicated electronic systems to "enhance" the sound, or screaming idiots in the audience. Just some exceptionally talented people, impeccably dressed, and being appreciated for their God-given talents, not for strange behavior or bizarre appearance. Why can't today's artists recapture this?
BillyRosinet 7 months ago
@BillyRosinet "Why can't today's artists recapture this?" Like others in this thread, you apparently don't understand captialism.
Gminor7 2 months ago
@Gminor7 I actually don't think you know what you're talking about, I would love for you to explain to me how capitalism has changed music.
Eli3459 2 months ago
@Gminor7
Capitalism had little to do with it. It was mostly just declining public tastes.
BillyRosinet 1 month ago
june mel and nat are just great br
brucereid1098 7 months ago
june mel and nat are just great
brucereid1098 7 months ago
Fantastic players (all 3 are certified star singers in their own right) in a wonderful performance.
RaiderEleven 8 months ago
What an amazing recording - three legends all in the same room at the same time and so casually producing absolute genius!
ancientraver19881989 8 months ago
I loved playing this song for Jazz band in high school :)
GraveyardRomance 9 months ago
she looks so happy :)
zoeyrawkz 10 months ago
Look at how excited nat and mel were. They ran to their respective instruments as if they cant wait to get started.
SheikhYerbubi 1 year ago 2
What has happened to television? Would it not be fantastic to have a show equal to that today? Nat King Cole's talent as a pianist is not given enough exposure today either.
Docbak03 1 year ago
That's right! You are not hallucinating! The great Mel Torme, the superb jazz vocalist known as the Velvet Fog, was also an insanely talented drummer!!! I so love that!!!
1953jazzman 1 year ago
@1953jazzman There wasn't an instrument he couldn't master.
briantaylormusic 1 year ago
What a great treat Nat King Cole trio along with June Christy and Mel Torme. Thank God of technology.
Spot712 1 year ago
Lovely piano playing.
bethanyeden 1 year ago 2
How cool is this, June, Mel and Nat jamming on How High The Moon!
leesterg 1 year ago 2
Luv June Christy!!
yorugua97 1 year ago
Like a breath of fresh air! June Christy had voice and charm! bravo
grenadian11 1 year ago
Boy, listen to Nat Cole play that piano. He was quite a player. His ability to play the piano was understated due to his fantastic vocal abilities.
neveauj 1 year ago 2
her voice gives me shivers all through my body. its a jazzgasm
crappydad23 1 year ago
The Misty Miss Christy.
ThatsMrMoronToYou 1 year ago
What a rare treat!!!!
whadayagonado 1 year ago
June Christy's husky voice is irresistible
ukai2 1 year ago
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!!! Dang! This is music & REAL talent!!!!
jojosullivan1024 1 year ago
Brilliant!
jimicheesecake 1 year ago
Yeah she missed her cue in the first part of the song, but it makes her human because she had a long career. Dang this is so great. I LOVE YOU TUBE....it's so great to be able to listen to these performances from a long time ago. Thank you!
Jazsngr 1 year ago
Wonderful!!!
Sissiaraujo 1 year ago
oh boy, this takes me back
pavelham 1 year ago
Nat the king Cole.....he was one of the best such a big talent.....amazing ^^
zigeunerlein 1 year ago
WOW!!! 3 amazing musicians!
georgsim 1 year ago 2
@georgsim ~ Amazing indeed, and true legends, all three!
edwardjames50 1 year ago
I always wondered why Oscar Peterson, loved Nat's piano playing so much, and i've heard Nat play before, but not like this! and now i hear Nat's style of playing in the sounds of Oscar Peterson. Everybody incredible!
Dontaking2008 1 year ago
@Dontaking2008 Oscar was a genius in his own right, for sure, but after watching him accompany Nat on vocals, it's not hard to see that what Oscar admired about Nat's playing was his ability to back his own voice so simply and tastily. Nat and Oscar Moore on guitar defined and entire genre of drumless jazz, and don't often get credited with it. The early Nat Cole Trio albums are gems of a unique jazz style.
Alan62651 1 year ago
Three brilliant singers with multi talents .What a treat!!
billboy508 1 year ago
LOVE THIS!
philh37 1 year ago
MEL was really GREAT on drums !!! really a genius !!
giosmrbig 1 year ago
That is some ferocious piano playing!
ejohnsonious01 1 year ago
¡Simplemente espectacular!. Mel Tormé también fue un gran cantante de jazz, profesor de canto, arreglador y aquí baterista!!!. June es una de las GRANDES cantantes de jazz con una afinación impecable, cada nota clara como una tecla de piano, un fraseo espectacular y una articulación genial. Busquen el álbum (ahora en CD) "Something Cool", con big-band arreglada y dirigida por Pete Rugolo.
casch0101 1 year ago
The Misty Miss Christy.
ThatsMrMoronToYou 1 year ago
Fabulous (Didn't know Mel Tormé could drum).
BINKIE2000 1 year ago
Three Great performers Together !!Love it! Her vibrato voice at the and of her phrase remind's me so much the Great Mrs Anita o' Day,Thank you so much for share this wonderful and treasure video.
periclesemmanuel 1 year ago
Awesome performance that reminds us how easily the pros could sing, without close in mikes and exaggerated hand gestures and without straining. Nat Cole was a heck of a piano player and Mel Torme was a fine drummer. Great!
RaiderEleven 1 year ago
Terrific capture !
laurakolb 1 year ago
Really brilliant. Everyone is much more comfortable than most performers in other variety shows of the era.
margotdarby 1 year ago
I do believe Nat plays about half of the 1st phrase of The Girl I left Behind Me at 1:46. He and Tatum threw in stuff like that right and left, Dvorak etc.
Brilliant music!
klrietmann 1 year ago
@klrietmann ...and a bit of "The Girl I left Behind Me" at 3:06. What a superb pianist was ol' Mr. Cole....and Mel just blows me away on drums here as well.
LawrenceDavis 1 year ago
I rly love Mr. Mel Torme!!
jaylism 1 year ago
Never knew Nat King Cole played the piano so well. Fantastic!
Baileywik 1 year ago
I first fell in love with her voice, now that I can see her i terribly regret not having been born before to see her singing live.
telesforojon 1 year ago
A true super star group - how wonderful to see three such great artists working together as if they'd been in the same band for years. And Mel Torme - a really cool drummer to boot. Nat Cole, an inspirational pianist and June Christie blessed with a perfect voice. For the next number Nat and Mel sing and June plays drums - maybe?
Gullnest 1 year ago
Humbling to see 2 gr8 singers..backing a gr8 singer..thanx
kevinherbert 1 year ago
Great.
swinginkatz 1 year ago
what does she say at :52
msg2clash 1 year ago
Absolutely beautiful.
Barnekkid 1 year ago
Really Great....iimagine The Misty, Miss Christyl...Me and Nat all together. Thanks so much Just wonderful and refreshing.....love the 5os"
Bobbbiejean 2 years ago
This was the first time I heard June Christy: my mom has the 78 rpm of Stan Kenton's "How High The Moon" with Vocal by June Christy. On the 78, June scats on the instrumental bridge which unfortunately she does not do here on this exquisite piece. But of course I totally fell in love with June with the original mono release of "Something Cool," again from mom's collection. June's rendtion and adaptation of Black author/poet Langston Hughes' "Lonely House" from this lp defies description.
KojiRecords 2 years ago
thank you thank you thank you!!! I had this on VHS when I was in highschool (my friends didn't understand - 80s headbanger, I was) and lost the tape since then. I looked for it here on Youtube a couple years ago and forgot about it... thank you!!!
funnyguise 2 years ago
that drum roll was really cool
TheRisingforce2000 2 years ago
Fantastic.
danieljosephleo 2 years ago
My America!
floppybollox3 2 years ago
This kind of programming was on the tube every week, nearly every night when there were only 3 networks. You can't find it in 6 mos. of 100 channels today.
ciroalb3 2 years ago 2
So true. But the talent is beautiful. She's so fresh and intensely musical; and Cole is everything wonderful: a great jazz pianist and a lovely vocalist. IThe inter-racial aspect--in the 1950's--is worth noting too. By the way, Nat Cole's vocals when he's with the Trio (ca 1940's) are fabulous!
princeandrey 2 years ago
Your words took me all the way back to my mother's house when I was a kid, being frustrated because 2 to 3 good artists-specials-movies would be on at the same time on the 4 networks we could receive in San Diego, which were NBC, CBS, ABC and then newcomer PBS. Talent every night of the week. As I post this, I am back here at mom's house, having cut off the cable television because, like you have so eloquently stated, there is not a damn thing is on television worth watching.
KojiRecords 2 years ago
Sad, isn't it?
4DECO1 2 years ago
Yeah. And back then viewers took fantastic TV shows such as the Nat King Cole Show for granted. But at least someone recorded it and we can watch it now.
RFranklinCarter 2 years ago 14
There's a lot a talent on that stage and you know they were genuinely having fun.
mikjazz 2 years ago 3
Well this is a bit of a treasure, isn't it?
Cole is somewhat forgotten as a great pianist, before his success as a vocalist; Torme is all-but-forgotten as a drummer (ditto)... Christie is remembered mostly for "The Midnight Sun" (a great recording)...
This is a gem.
tuxguys 2 years ago 2
Wonderful singer and band!
ireneluz2002 2 years ago
damn hot toastin' band!! I'd be pretty thrilled if I was her
pixiepqueen 2 years ago 2
I love that she missed her cue - as a professional singer this really takes the load off me
I love her talent - Great Stuff!
brixtonbluebeat 2 years ago 20
@brixtonbluebeat - My goodness! Three legendary artists: Nat King Cole, June Christy, Mel Torme-smooth, velvet crooner getting down on the drums. These 3 greats in the same room during the same song, and all you can focus on is a perceived "missed cue?" As a professional singer, I'd think your focus would be the music. That's what music lovers care about. It's a "so what?" There's Nat; there's June, and there's Mel Torme. You ain't know?
CheckMate657879 1 year ago
@CheckMate657879
i was not criticising - i love it, and all of them. All I was saying was that we all make mistakes, and we our our own worst critics - it's just a relief [for me] that, even in the midst of such massive talent - we are all human, we all can make a mistake.
It was more of a "thank god, I'm not so bad after all" then a "look at them failing"
I focused on the whole routine - and loved every, single, second!
brixtonbluebeat 1 year ago
@brixtonbluebeat I sort of get what you say. But, to me, any perceived mistake shouldn't matter to the degree of compelled to mention it. The greatness should overwhelm, veritably smother, a perceived mistake.
CheckMate657879 1 year ago
@CheckMate657879 it doesn't matter at all - it was more a comment about myself than them - anyway, nowadays they [the tv programme] would do a retake, this is live and far better than the shows of today because of it.
gx
brixtonbluebeat 1 year ago
@brixtonbluebeat There was barely a cue...as a bass player, I was impressed she was able to run with what the band gave her ;)
leoray1234 1 year ago
@leoray1234 i love her - that bleedin' nat cole was dreadful :D
brixtonbluebeat 1 year ago
@brixtonbluebeat they musta just let you out of the nut house, lol.
DreamsCumTrue469 7 months ago
@brixtonbluebeat i don't think she did
madhoneydew 1 year ago
@brixtonbluebeat The lesson is, you keep going and pick it up in time. People are always rooting for you.
kcmt01 6 months ago
GRACIAS!
HumanGrinder 2 years ago
Such talent - the young ones need to listen up and learn what it means to be able to sing and to play an instrument.
voldpilot 2 years ago 2
i kno rite! she actually has talent unlike almost all signers today. nat king cole is great and june was amazing!
SkyeSweetnamGal 2 years ago 3
Mel Torme is also on drums when they do this tune on the famous WNEW SATURDAY NIGHT SWING SESSION radio broadcast which ROY ELDRIDGE on trumpet.
swangonce 2 years ago
The eternal How High The Moon?/Ornithology.
Nat could really play the hell out of this tune. I have a version of him and Charlie Parker (from 1946) simply tearing through the chord progression of How High The Moon? It's on a CD called Bird's Eyes Volume 18; brilliant stuff.
primecomposite 2 years ago 2
How come we can still hear piano and drums after Nat King Cole and Torme get up at the end?
Tehpizzahut 2 years ago
Pre recorded to fill in gaps?
FrankPalmerWhite 2 years ago
house band strikes up as the 2 men walk over to her.
MrPisster 2 years ago
Oh, I know.. I was just saying it might seem strange at first. But I have absolutely no doubt that they're playing.
Ugh, I LOVE June Christy's voice, and Nat King Cole was so amazingly talented, since he's best known for his singing but can play piano like that!
Tehpizzahut 2 years ago
Comment removed
Tehpizzahut 2 years ago
Maravilloso, I love this song, me encantaria que se compusieran canciones como esta actualmente
pero no lo veo tan facil.
FANTASTIC.
carmen78473 2 years ago
Where has all the talent gone? Today a big meeting of "Stars" consists of The Jonas Brothers singing with Miley Cyrus. Whoop-de-do. This is a great combination of musical legends. Thanks.
jlucci1177 2 years ago 2
How great is this ? Torme , Christy, King Cole. And the fact that Torme and King Cole were not only great singers but musicians as well.
odeonpacific 2 years ago 3
haha true
stapleboy7 2 years ago
Love the Trio
jazztradition 2 years ago
Can you guys believe they did this live for real on national TV? What talent!
MrPisster 2 years ago 3
Bravo!
grenadian11 2 years ago
I love this... Amazing...
BethArzy 2 years ago
I love this video. I love Nat and June, Mel is starting to grow on me. What a great tune as well!
dglanterman 2 years ago
Did these three great artists share the same Manager?
Drivermatic 2 years ago
Comment removed
headtheradio 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Awesome. Anybody who could live without it?
More splendid jazz at my blog (link in profile). Feel free to check it out.
Thx and All best,
Bruno
BrunoJazzmanLeicht 2 years ago 6
i listened and counted and im not so sure anyone is off with the timing after the solos. I think its just that the lyric "somewhere there's" comes in before the one count with the lyric "music" being directly on the one. The singing should and did start before the measure. Maybe Mel (who knew he could play!? guess that comes from his years with Buddy Rich) should have pulled it back a little early, but i think everyone was in time.
Oreoshakespear 2 years ago 2
This was very impromtu, and gee, these folks are professional and having some fun! Yeah, Mel could play drums and arrange he hell out of vocals, especially for trios and quartets! Ask me about Mel, I worked with him and he was a hard task master, and great human being and fun to work with! Why are folk so darned critical? Enjoy the music by some great folk who are no longer with us!
StevesWifeCharlo 2 years ago 2
Thanks for the comment. I didn't know that June Christy was from Decatur, Illinois. Love Nat Cole so much. Love his One Day That Summer...
StevesWifeCharlo 2 years ago 2
Home Girl in those days you would say, "She's down to earth"
MatuArt 2 years ago
What a treat; keep on punishing Punisher, thanks.
prucarson 2 years ago
I and others thought that June rushed the entrance after the solos, and it took the band a few measures to get re-synchronized.
However, after counting measures all the way through the solos, I believe that she was CORRECT. I can't tell if it was Mel or Nat that messed it up, but it's tough to return out of of drum "fours" when the last one is so syncopated.
Oh well, I guess it's just easier to blame the vocalist.
mcsynth47 2 years ago
I knew something sounded funny. I have a gut feeling that it's Nat, but I don't feel like analyzing it.
guitarman63mm 2 years ago
So what, that happens a lot ...it's Jazz. Quit being so critical and give folk some slack. These are PROFESSIONALS and they were flowing with the tune...people mess up, it doesn't take away from their musicality or knowledge of where 'one' is.
StevesWifeCharlo 2 years ago 2
This was not a criticism. Actually, I was just standing up for June because others had suggested earlier that she messed up. It's always easier to blame the singer so I thought it was unjustified and came to her defense.
I've played piano behind dozens of jazz vocalists and I've shared the stage with many jazz legends, including Mel Torme, and I'm well aware how easy it is to get confused after drum fours.
mcsynth47 2 years ago
June Christy epitomizes the early fifties "cool jazz chick". Wow!
kyraleighsdad 2 years ago
That was wonderful! Never knew Mel Torme was an accomplished drummer.
Barnekkid 2 years ago
Cada vez que escucho esta cancion no puedo evitar pensar en Ornithology jajajaja. Bestial, y vaya pedazo repertorio de artistas se juntan!
Borgrimder 2 years ago
como se puede tocar tan bien?
benjaminmv 3 years ago
Nat's an even better pianist than he is a singer! Tempos a little too fast for June but she doesn't rush it. Classy all round.
Toracube 3 years ago 2
June sang a number of tunes in a fast tempo live. They probably didn't practice or talk about it much before hand. It swings though and I like it a lot as they seem to be having a ball,
Longlakedreaming 2 years ago
You are right there!
Toracube 2 years ago
A priceless moment in the history of Jazz. Gracias.
valjazz 3 years ago
wow!
they dont make them like this anymore
Topacio325 3 years ago
"How High the Moon" is an incredibly timeless song that's been done in many different styles by several differet artists. If you like Ella, check out her version from 1974 which was done in a recording studio, or the one she did in Stockholm in 1966. (Both clips have been posted here on Utube).
etienne818 3 years ago
cool))
Face202 3 years ago
What a thrill to know at this late date that June is well-remembered and still selling a lot of records for Capitol. Only one album is not yet out on C.D. but eventually will be.
waynebrasler 3 years ago 3
Mel,Nat and June together! Wow almost too good to be true!
1969SL 3 years ago 4
Never knew Mel Torme was a drummer.
tbcass 3 years ago
wow nice!
kyow99 3 years ago
Don't worry folks, jazz is coming back...Torme is one of the best, "The cat with the guase in his jaws".
pierregoldstein 3 years ago 2
Excellent!
thelmab51 3 years ago
Great diversity,only in Jazz back then. Torme ( Jewish)Cole(Black),and Christy,GREAT. Music transends it all .Bravo
beagleman123456789 3 years ago 2
so funny how she missed the entrance, maybe she was too high?? June was so cute.
namlownolasax 3 years ago
There couldn't be something so beautiful.
bobthwart 3 years ago 2
We saw and heard the like of it just last week! The great Bob Dorough visited Jack Sheldon's gig at Jax in Glendale, CA. Ginger and Scott did this song and Ornithology (of course), then we did Sentimental Journey, three part harmony with Dorough. Heaven! You're right, colonlhall, the venues and audiences are not out there. The musicians coming up and their musicianship are awesome and better. Get out there, people! There is nothing like live music!
GingerGroup 3 years ago
What a treat. I forgot June had such a vibrato. I usually don't like but from her it is great.
Blinglover 3 years ago
How effortless was that! Three of my favourite performers together - brilliant! There s a lot of talent out there today, but the musical scene does not throw up the style of music that can produce this type of performance. Watch and enjoy, we'll never see its like again.
colonelhall 3 years ago 2
Typically witty, relaxed, fiercely-swinging solo from the great Cole, nice work from Torme in the chases, and a swiftly, neatly torn off vocal from the best singer to come out of the Kenton outfit whose name wasn't Anita O'Day. Ella of course would make this one of her signature tunes but June Christy, who did indeed help bring it to prominence, more than holds her own with it, and with the illustrious company. Smashing video.
Amileoj 3 years ago 2
Mel on the drums fantastic!
bikerbuoy21 3 years ago 2
Wow !! Are we lucky to have this video !! This has to be the cream of the crop....Thank you...YOU TUBE !!!
zwjoe 3 years ago
Excellent!! Nat, June, and Mel in a wonderful performance. Thank you, so much for this video. Keep them coming. And thank you, YouTube, for the venue. Nat's skill as a pianist are clearly shown, Mel's drumming is a surprise, and June is magnificent. Great musicianship keeps it together and smooth. Thanks again.
RaiderEleven 3 years ago 2
Wow they are all amazing, but June puts me out of this world!!!!!!!
bobthwart 3 years ago 4
OH! Nat quotes another song at 1:22. It's a Sousa march, I think.
(Right at the 17th bar of his solo)
jedcrowe 3 years ago
Did she record this first or did Anita O'day? Seems like she borrows alot from Anita. As far as her sound in general. That fast vibrato.
But I haven't listened to much June Christy. Yet.
jedcrowe 3 years ago
Whoa! I had no idea Nat played the piano. Look at him go! Damn! Right on.
duncanshields 3 years ago
He both influenced and was influenced by Oscar Peterson. You really should check out the early Nat King Cole Trio records, where he sings and plays the piano--they seem to have a purer jazz sound by way of the small combo than perhaps the heavily orchestral stuff from his later pop records, at least in my opinion...
TheRecordChanger 3 years ago
Wow June shines like no other as well does Nat and Mel. Crazy beautiful. I just wish I lived in those times. They had such soul, rhythm and virtuosity. Something I'm sure still exists except there is no pop culture venue for it to exist like it did then.....unfortunately.
bobthwart 3 years ago
Nat was a goddamn high skilled pianist!...
mokacode 3 years ago 2
Gotta love JUNE!
jazmaan 3 years ago
Great stuff:) --
stevevandien 3 years ago