Three different versions of the jazz standard Indian Summer:
Frank Sinatra – Vocals
Johnny Hodges – Alto Sax
Piano – Duke Ellington
Arrangement – Billy May
Recorded in 1967
Sinatra was 52 at the time. There’s some mention online that he was already struggling to hit the high notes. Maybe. But you either hit them or you don’t and he does. If there’s a little tension on the way up that just makes it all the more engaging to me as a listener. The orchestration is beautiful and lush and so is Ol’ Blue Eyes’ voice. Much love is given Hodges’ solo and very justly so.
The graphic on the clip has all the info you need so I’ll just do that math for you. Ella Fitzgerald was 55 at the time. The recording speaks for itself. Astonishing.
Here’s Sarah Vaughan in 1981, making her 57. Obviously in superb form. Delicious.
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