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Whisper Not (song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Whisper Not'" is a composition by Benny Golson. It is in a minor key and contains a shout chorus (a special chorus between the final solo and the closing head).Levine, Mark (1995) 'The Jazz Theory Book', p. 393. Sher Music. Golson's account of writing the piece is that "I wrote it in Boston at George Wein's Storyville club when I was with Dizzy Gillespie's big band. I wrote that tune in 20 minutes."Myers, Marc (February 9, 2012) "Interview: Benny Golson" [http://www.jazzwax.com/2012/02/interview-benny-golson.html JazzWax.] Some sources indicate that the first recording was by Gillespie,[http://www.jazzstandards.com/compositions-2/whispernot.htm "Whisper Not (1956)"]. jazzstandards.com Retrieved December 27, 2013. while others indicate that trumpeter Lee Morgan was first.Blumenthal, Bob (2004) In 'The Complete Argo/Mercury Art Farmer/Benny Golson/Jazztet Sessions' [CD liner notes]. p. 13. Mosaic.
It quickly became popular with other musicians: Thad Jones and Morgan recorded their own versions before its composer had the chance to record it with his own group.Gioia, Ted (2012) 'The Jazz Standards: A Guide to the Repertoire', p. 459. Oxford University Press. Golson's early version was on his 1957 album 'Benny Golson's New York Scene'.Yanow, Scott 'Benny Golson: Benny Golson's New York Scene' [http://www.allmusic.com/album/benny-golsons-new-york-scene-mw0000202937 AllMusic.] By 1960, John S. Wilson, critic at 'The New York Times', had labelled the song, together with another Golson composition, "I Remember Clifford", "an established part of the jazz repertory".Wilson, John S. (February 28, 1960) "Triple Talent: Golson Is a Composer, Arranger, Performer" 'The New York Times', p. X16. It has been recorded by hundreds of musicians,Myers, Marc (February 9, 2012) "Serving That Uptown Sound" [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204369404577211191400645560 'The Wall Street Journal'.] becoming a jazz standard.Cook, Richard and Morton, Brian (2008) 'The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings' (9th ed.), p. 568. Penguin. Leonard Feather added lyrics, which were recorded by Anita O'Day in 1962 and later by several other prominent vocalists.
Golson remained strongly associated with the tune, and named one of his tours the "Whisper Not Tour" after it, half a century after its composition.
Other recordings
* Art Blakey with Lee Morgan and Benny Golson '1958 Paris Olympia' (Fontana, 1958)
* Ella Fitzgerald 'Whisper Not' (Verve, 1965)
* Benny Golson with Art Farmer 'Benny Golson's New York Scene' (Contemporary, 1957)
* Oscar Peterson 'The Trio' (Verve, 1961)
* Ray Bryant 'Ray Bryant Plays' (Signature, 1959)
* Shelly Manne 'Shelly Manne and His Men at the Black Hawk, Vol. 3' (Contemporary, 1959)
* Ahmad Jamal 'Extensions' (Argo, 1966)
* Lee Morgan with Horace Silver and Hank Mobley 'Lee Morgan Sextet' (Blue Note, 1956)
* Anita O'Day 'Anita O'Day & the Three Sounds' (Verve, 1962)
See also
*List of post-1950 jazz standards
References
Category:1950s jazz standards
Category:1956 compositions
Category:Jazz compositions
Category:Songs with music by Benny Golson
Category:1956 songs
Category:Songs written by Leonard Feather
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