[Dixielandjazz] Jazz Standards

[Stan Brager]

I've often wondered why some tunes seemed to be interpreted and played by
legions of jazz groups from early jazz to modern jazz. Case in point: "Sweet
Georgia Brown". It was written in 1922 or 1923 by Ben Bernie, Maceo Pinkard
and Kenneth Casey. Bernie and his band made at least 3 recordings between
1923 and 1925. It sounds like a typical '20s pop tune. Yet, it was also
recorded by J. J. Johnson, Bud Powell, Count Basie, Andre Previn (with a
jazz trio), Anita O'Day and many others. Lord's Jazz Discography shows 1308
recordings of "Sweet Georgia Brown" which ignores the jazz versions which
have other names such as, "Sweet Georgia Gillespie", "Sweet Clifford", and
so on.

 

What is it that attracts jazz musicians to these tunes?

 

Thanks;

 

Stan