Harlem Nocturne

By Earle Hagen & Dick Rogers
1939

One of the most recognizable standard jazz instrumentals of all time, this unique song instantly evokes just what it was meant to: The sordid side of New York City during the 1930s...yet it's still tinged with the beauty that paradoxically characterizes that city. Written originally as a tribute to saxophonist Johnny Hodges, t was introduced the Randy Brooks band in 1940, and became their theme song. Although an instrumental first and foremost, it has been recorded with vocals several times as well. It was used as the theme song to the 1980s TV series Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer.

Recorded By:

Mel Torme
David Sanborn
The Viscounts
Duke Ellington
Harry James