Reminiscing (vocal) – Gigi Gryce & Jon Hendricks
The first recording of this song was a vocal by Earl Coleman, featuring lyrics by Jon Hendricks which are just as impassioned as the melody calls for.
- Recording: Earl Coleman - Earl Coleman Returns
- Recorded on: June 8, 1956
- Label: Prestige (PRLP 7045)
- Concert Key: C
- Vocal Range: Baritone, G3 to A-flat4
- Style: Ballad
- Vocals - Earl Coleman
- Trumpet - Art Farmer
- Piano - Hank Jones
- Bass - Wendell Marshall
This Earl Coleman recording is one and a half choruses long. The head is entirely rubato; Earl really draws out the syllables throughout. There is also a short rubato intro with a trumpet melody, accompanied only by piano. The first A section has only piano behind the vocals; bass and improvised trumpet backgrounds are added at the second A section. After the head, there is a piano solo on the bridge in time; Earl takes the last C section out, rubato again.
The vocal lead sheet is offered in three keys, C, B♭ and A♭. If another key would be better for you, send the key you'd like to don@secondfloormusic.com and we'll post the transposition on the website for purchase. If you're not sure which key is best, send us your range and we'll work with you to figure out the best key.
This is the first recording of Reminiscing. Gigi himself played on three songs on "Earl Coleman Returns;" the album also includes a version of Gigi's Social Call. This was Coleman's first album as a leader; except for two sessions with Gene Ammons in 1955, at this time Coleman had not recorded since 1948.
Three days after this session, on June 11th, Art Farmer and Gigi recorded on the first session for "Oscar Pettiford Orchestra In Hi-Fi, Vol. 1," playing big band arrangements of Lucky Thompson's Deep Passion, as well as Nica's Tempo.
Gigi Gryce
November 28, 1925 – March 17, 1983
Gigi Gryce was a fine altoist in the 1950s, but it was his writing skills, both composing and arranging (including composing the standard Minority) that were considered most notable. After growing up in Hartford, CT, and studying at the Boston Conservatory and in Paris, Gryce worked in New York with Max Roach, Tadd Dameron, and Clifford Brown. He toured Europe in 1953 with Lionel Hampton and led several sessions in France on that trip. Read more...
Jon Hendricks
born on September 16, 1921
Jon Hendricks is an acclaimed jazz vocalist and lyricist known as the "Father of Vocalese." He is considered by numerous critics to be one of the best living scat singers and was named by jazz journalist the "Poet Laureate of Jazz." At 14, Jon frequently sang with Art Tatum. During his college years in Toledo, Ohio, he sang with Charlie Parker, who encouraged him to sing professionally. Jon made his recording debut in 1955 with Dave Lambert; in 1957, he recorded with Lambert and Annie Ross. The trio became one of the best-known jazz vocal groups, known for their use of vocalese and their innovative arrangements. From 1968-1973, Jon worked in Europe; on his return, he worked for the .San Francisco Chronicle. His theatrical work about the history of jazz, The Evolution of the Blues, ran for five years off-Broadway. Jon's lyrics to compositions by Carmen McRae, Ray Charles, Al Jarreau, Bobby McFerrin, and many others. Read more...