“Laura” is a popular song from the mid-forties of the 20th century, composed by David Raksin for the 1944 movie Laura starring Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews. Although it was written as an instrumental, appearing several times in the movie, its instant popularity urged Abe Olman of Robbins Music to ask Johnny Mercer if he could write lyrics for Raksin’s theme. Although Mercer had seen the film, he confessed that he really didn’t remember the tune. Olman provided Mercer with the music and advised him that the title had to be “Laura.” After a few weeks, Mercer grew to love the song and completed the lyrics. In 1945 five separate recordings of “Laura” appeared on the pop charts with the Woody Herman and His Orchestra’s rendition becoming a million-seller hit.
According to author William Zinsser in his book, Easy to Remember: The Great American Songwriters and Their Songs, director Otto Preminger had chosen Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Lady” as a theme for Laura, but composer David Raksin felt it did not suit the character. Raksin was given the weekend to come up something new. By Sunday, with nothing satisfactory on paper, he read a “Dear John” letter from his wife, and the haunting melody seemed to write itself.
The song has become a jazz standard, with more than 400 known recordings. Some of the best-known versions are by Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, Eric Dolphy, Johnny Johnston, Emil Newman, David Rose, Billy Eckstine, Charlie Parker, J. J. Johnson, Carly Simon, Frank Sinatra, and Julie London.
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JAZZ STANDARDS VOL.9 - STELLA BY STARLIGHT
JAZZ STANDARDS VOL.8 - ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE
JAZZ STANDARDS VOL.7 - SUMMERTIME
JAZZ STANDARDS VOL.6 - NANCY (WITH A LAUGHING FACE)
JAZZ STANDARDS VOL.5 - MY FUNNY VALENTINE
JAZZ STANDARDS VOL.4 - AUTUMN LEAVES
JAZZ STANDARDS VOL.3 - 'ROUND MIDNIGHT
JAZZ STANDARDS VOL.2 - BODY AND SOUL
JAZZ STANDARDS VOL.1 - YOU GO TO MY HEAD
