How High the Moon

Infobox Standard
title = How High the Moon
english_title =
comment = First featured in the 1940 Broadway revue "Two for the Show"


image_size =
caption =
writer =
composer = Morgan Lewis
lyricist = Nancy Hamilton
published = 1940
written =
language = English
form =
original_artist = Alfred Drake and Frances Comstock
recorded_by = Benny Goodman & His Orchestra,
Stan Kenton,
Les Paul and Mary Ford,
many other artists (see #Most notable recordings and #Other versions)
performed_by = "How High the Moon" is a jazz standard with lyrics by Nancy Hamilton and music by Morgan Lewis. It was first featured in the 1940 Broadway revue "Two for the Show", where it was sung by Alfred Drake and Frances Comstock [http://www.secondhandsongs.com/song/7583 Covers of the song "How High the Moon"] ] .

Most notable recordings

The earliest recorded hit version was by Benny Goodman & His Orchestra. It was recorded February 7, 1940 and released by Columbia Records as catalog number 35391, with the flip side "Fable of the Rose" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/COL35200.htm Columbia Records in the 35200 to 35499 series] ] . In 1948, bandleader Stan Kenton enjoyed some success with his version of the tune. The recording, with a vocal by June Christy, was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 911 (with the flip side "Willow, Weep for Me") [http://settlet.fateback.com/Capitol500.htm Capitol Records in the 500 to 999 series] ] and 15117( with the flip side "Interlude") [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Capitol15000.htm Capitol Records in the 15000 to 15431 series] ] . It reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on July 9, 1948, its only week on the chart, at #27cite book
last = Whitburn
first = Joel
authorlink = Joel Whitburn
title = Top Pop Records 1940-1955
publisher = Record Research
location = Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
year = 1973 ] .

The best-known recording of the song is by Les Paul and Mary Ford, made on January 4, 1951. The record was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 1451, with the flip side "Walkin' and Whistlin' Blues" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Capitol1000.htm Capitol Records in the 1000 to 1499 series] ] , and spent 25 weeks (beginning on March 23, 1951) on the Billboard chart, 9 weeks at #1. The record was subsequently re-released by Capitol as catalog number 1675, with the flip side "Josephine" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Capitol1500.htm Capitol Records in the 1500 to 1999 series] ] .

The song was sung in various recordings by Ella Fitzgerald, becoming (with the Gershwin's "Lady Be Good!") Ella's signature tune. She first performed the song at Carnegie Hall on September 29, 1947. Her first recording, backed by the Daydreamers, was recorded December 20, 1947 and released by Decca Records as catalog number 24387, with the flip side "You Turned the Tables on Me" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Dec24000.htm Decca Records in the 24000 to 24499 series] ] . Her most celebrated recording of "How High the Moon" is on her 1960 album "", and her version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002, which is a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old, and that have "qualitative or historical significance." [ [http://www.grammy.com/Recording_Academy/Awards/Hall_Of_Fame/ Grammy Hall of Fame Database] ]

Other versions

*Louis Armstrong and his orchestra (recorded in two parts November 30, 1947, released by Decca Records as catalog numbers 28103 & 28104, each with the flip side being a part of a two part recording of "Body and Soul" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Dec28000.htm Decca Records in the 28000 to 28499 series] ] )
*Mitchel Ayres' orchestra (vocal: Mary Ann Mercer: recorded February 8, 1940, released by Bluebird Records as catalog number 10609B, with the flip side "A House with a Little Red Barn" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/BB10500.htm Bluebird Records in the 10500 to 10999 series] ] )
*Chet Baker (trumpet)on the album "Chet"
*Bonnemere (released 1949 by Royal Roost Records as catalog number 582, with the flip side "Autumn Leaves" [ [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/r/royal-roost.html Royal Roost Records listing] ] )
*Randy Brooks and his orchestra (recorded March 22, 1946, released by Decca Records as catalog number 29479, with the flip side "Thunder Rock" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Dec29000.htm Decca Records in the 29000 to 29499 series] ] )
*Charles Brown Trio (recorded November 11, 1948, released by Aladdin Records as catalog number 3071, with the flip side "Texas Blues" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Aladdin3000.htm Aladdin Records in the 3000 to 3468 series] ] )
*The Dave Brubeck Octet recorded a lengthy track, with narration, where they play "How High The Moon" in various jazz styles.
*Don Byas Quintet (recorded November 26, 1945, released by Savoy Records as catalog numbers 597A and 916A, both with the flip side "Ko Ko" [http://settlet.fateback.com/Sav500.htm Savoy Records in the 500 to 978 series] ] )
*Lilyann Carol with Charlie Ventura and Orchestra (released by National Records as catalog number 7015, with the flip side "Please Be Kind" [ [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/n/national.html National Records listing] ] )
*Al Casey's Sextet (recorded January 19, 1945, released by Capitol Records as catalog number 10034, with the flip side "Sometimes I'm Happy" [http://settlet.fateback.com/Capitol10000.htm Capitol Records in the 10000 to 10210 series] ] )
*Herman Chittison Trio (released by Musicraft Records as catalog number 315, with the flip side "The Song Is Ended" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Musicraft200.htm Musicraft Records in the 201 to 597 series] ] )
*Larry Clinton and his orchestra (recorded February 20, 1940, released by Victor Records as catalog number 26521, with the flip side "Bread and Butter" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/vic26500.html Victor Records in the 26500 to 26999 series] ] )
*Nat King Cole (released by Capitol Records as catalog number 10191, with the flip side "Blues in My Shower")
*Kaye Connor (released by Cosmo Records as catalog number 485, with the flip side "Derry Dum" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Cosmo.htm Cosmo Records listing] ] )
*Duke Ellington and his orchestra (recorded November 14, 1947, released by Columbia Records as catalog number 38950, with the flip side "Cowboy Rhumba" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/COL38500.htm Columbia Records in the 38500 to 38999 series] ] )
*Ziggy Elman (recorded 1947, released by MGM Records as catalog number 10332, with the flip side "The Night Is Young and You're So Beautiful" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/MGM10000.htm MGM Records in the 10001 to 10499 series] ] )
*Erroll Garner (released by Arco Records as catalog number 1214, with the flip side "Don't Blame Me" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Arco.htm Arco Records listing] ] )
*Erroll Garner Trio (recorded October 7, 1950, released by Columbia Records as catalog number 39145, with the flip side "Poor Butterfly" [http://settlet.fateback.com/COL39000.htm Columbia Records in the 39000 to 39499 series] ] )
*Marvin Gaye (on Tamla Records album "The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye," catalog number TM 221, released June 1961)
*Gloria Gaynor (Disco version of the song, on 1975 MGM Records album "Experience Gloria Gaynor," catalog number M3G 4997)
*Dizzy Gillespie (released by MGM Records as catalog number 30742, with another recording of the same song by Jimmy McPartland on the flip side [http://settlet.fateback.com/MGM30500.htm MGM Records in the 30500 to 30887 series] ] )
*Benny Goodman Septet (released by Capitol Records as catalog number 20126, with the flip side "Benny's Boogie" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Capitol20000.htm Capitol Records in the 20000 to 20156 series] ] )
*Larry Green (released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-2119, with the flip side "Far Away Island" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/RCA202000.htm RCA Victor Records in the 20-2000 to 20-2499 series] ] )
*Lionel Hampton Quintet (recorded April 2, 1947, released by Decca Records as catalog number 24513, with the flip side "Ribs and Hot Sauce" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Dec24500.htm Decca Records in the 24500 to 24999 series] ] )
*Bill Harris (released by Capitol Records as catalog number 60004, with the flip side "The Moon Is Low" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Capitol60000.htm Capitol Records in the 60000 to 60015 series] ] )
*Emmylou Harris (on 1981 album "Evangeline")
*Eddie Heywood and his orchestra (recorded May 2, 1944, released by Signature Records as catalog number 40002A, with the flip side "Sarcastic Lady" [http://settlet.fateback.com/Signiature.htm Signature Records listing] ] )
*Harry James' orchestra (recorded March 1940, released by Varsity Records as catalog number 8221 [http://settlet.fateback.com/Vars8000.htm Varsity Records in the 8000 to 8419 series] ] and by Montgomery Ward as catalog number 10004 [http://settlet.fateback.com/MW10000.htm Montgomery Ward Records in the 10000 to 10173 series] ] , both with the flip side "You've Got Me Out on a Limb")
*Jazz at the Philharmonic (recorded in four parts October 7, 1946, released by Mercury Records as catalog numbers 11009 & 11010 [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Merc110.htm Mercury Records in the 11000 to 11101 series] ] )
*Bibbi Johnson and Thore Swanerud (recorded September 19, 1949 in Stockholm, Sweden; released by Savoy Records as catalog number 965, with the flip side "Tout Desire") (also listed as by the Thore Swanerud Sextet, issued by Discovery Records as catalog number 173, with the flip side "Tout D'Suite" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Discovery.htm Discovery Records listing] ] )
*King Cole Trio (released by Capitol Records as catalog number 531, with the flip side "I'll Never Be the Same")
*Gene Krupa and his orchestra (recorded May 27, 1946, released by Columbia Records as catalog number 38345, with the flip side "Tea for Two" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/COL38000.htm Columbia Records in the 38000 to 38499 series] ] )
*Manhattan Transfer
*Johnny Mathis (1960, on album "Johnny's Mood")
*Jimmy McPartland (issued back to back with the Dizzy Gillespie recording by MGM Records as catalog number 30742)
*Chris Montez (on 1966 A&M Records album "The More I See You/Call Me," catalog number SP 4115)
*Russ Morgan and his orchestra (recorded February 20, 1940, released by Decca Records as catalog number 3030A, with the flip side "Rose of the World" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Dec3000.htm Decca Records in the 3000 to 3499 series] ] )
*Anita O'Day (with Ralph Burns orchestra; released by Signature Records as catalog number 15185A, with the flip side "Key Largo")
*Oscar Peterson (released by Mercury Records as catalog number 8943, with the flip side "Nameless Blues" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Merc089.htm Mercury Records in the 8900 to 8999 series] ] )
*Bud Powell (piano) on the album 'Spring Broadcasts 1953', with Oscar Pettiford on bass and Roy Haynes on drums. This broadcast was recorded March 21, 1953.
*Boyd Raeburn and his orchestra (recorded August 14, 1947, released by Atlantic Records as catalog number 860, with the flip side "Trouble Is a Man" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Atlantic.htm Atlantic Records listing] ] )
*Dianne Reeves (on 1991 Blue Note Records album "I Remember," catalog number B2 90264, also recorded for the Good Night and Good Luck soundtrack in 2005)
*Freddie Rich and his orchestra (vocal: Rosemary Calvin; recorded February 14, 1940, released by Vocalion Records as catalog number 5420, with the flip side "House with a Little Red Barn" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/VOC5000.htm Vocalion Records in the 5000 to 5499 series] ] )
*David Rose and his orchestra (released by MGM Records as catalog numbers 30012B (with the flip side "Gay Spirits") and 30303 (with the flip side "Bewitched") [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/MGM30000.htm MGM Records in the 30000 to 30499 series] ] )
*Diane Schuur (on 1992 GRP Records album "In Tribute," catalog number GRD 2006)
*Hazel Scott (piano instrumental solo; released by Signature Records as catalog number 15025B, with the flip side " [A Rainy Night in Georgia")
*George Shearing Quintet (recorded December 18, 1951, released by MGM Records as catalog number 30627, with the flip side "Ghost of a Chance")
*Janis Siegel (on 1982 Atlantic Records album "Experiment in White," catalog number 80007 1)
*Jimmy Smith (released by Blue Note Records as catalog number 1667, with the flip side "Summertime" [ [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/b/blue_note.html Blue Note Records listing] ] )
*Japanese American singer Pat Suzuki's 1950s recording of "How High the Moon" plays during the opening scenes of the movie "Biloxi Blues", and is also featured in the movie "Eat a Bowl of Tea".
*Art Tatum (solo piano) on the compilation album Piano Starts Here, released by Columbia Records in 1987
*Charlie Ventura (recorded September 6, 1946, released by National Records as catalog number 7015, with the flip side "Please Be Kind" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/NationalLate.htm National Records in the 3001 to 25000 series] ] )
*Paul Weston and his orchestra (released by Columbia Records as catalog number 39299 and 39647 [http://settlet.fateback.com/COL39500.htm Columbia Records in the 39500 to 39999 series] ] , both with the flip side "Over the Rainbow"; also issued on the album "Dream Time Music," Columbia catalog number CL 528, released November 2, 1953)
*Mary Lou Williams (released by Disc Records as catalog number 5025, with the flip side "Cloudy" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Disc.htm Disc Records listing] ]

ongs based on "How High the Moon"

Another jazz standard, "Ornithology" by Charlie Parker, is based on the chords of "How High the Moon". It was common among jazz musicians (Ella Fitzgerald, Lionel Hampton and others) to seamlessly include 'Ornithology' in the solo when performing "How High the Moon". Miles Davis' "Solar" is also based on part of the chord structure.

John Coltrane's composition "Satellite" is also based on the chords of "How High the Moon", which Coltrane embellished with the three-tonic progression he also used on his composition "Giant Steps".

Trivia

Paul McCartney stated during the filming of "" that "How High the Moon" was the first song The Beatles played in The Cavern Club.

The song was performed by the 2007 Australian Idol winner, Natalie Gauci on the big-band themed performance show. The performance earned Gauci her third consecutive Touchdown from judge Mark Holden.

References