Style:

Usually swung, although it is commonly taken in many different styles.

Form:

A-A-B-A (32 Bars) [8-8-8-8]

Key:

Most often played in C Major.

Harmony/Overview:

The harmony is very functional and made up nearly entirely of II - V's. The  A sections begin with a II-V of IVmi and continue with a II - V to the  tonic. The bridge begins with a II - V of bVIMajy7 and finishes with a  bVI7 - V7 turnaround. The changes have proved to be immensely popular  amongst soloists and have also been used as the basis for many compositions such as "Hot House" by Tadd Dameron, "Subconscious-Lee" by  Lee Konitz, and "Fifth House" by John Coltrane.

Recordings:

This song has been recorded over 500 times and is one of the most widely  known jazz standards in the repertoire. It was first performed by Elsie Carlisle in the original 1929 Broadway Musical Wake Up and Dream,  and some of the earliest dance bands to popularize the tune include Leo  Reisman, Jack Hylton, and Ben Bernie. It eventually found its way into  the repertoire of many leading jazz musicians of the day and provided  the basis for countless inspired improvisations that helped revolutionize the art form. It continues to be performed and recorded frequently to this day and remains an especially popular jam session  number.

JGC Top Picks:

Bill Evans, Portrait In Jazz, 1959

Cannonball Adderley, The Cannonball Adderley Quintet Live at the Lighthouse, 1960

Roy Haynes, Birds of a Feather, 2001