“Laura ” Jazz Play Along with sheet music

"Laura " Jazz Play Along with sheet music

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"Laura " Jazz Play Along with sheet music.

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"Laura" is a 1945 popular song. The music, composed by David Raksin for the 1944 movie Laura, which starred Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews, is heard frequently in the movie. The film's director, Otto Preminger, had originally wanted to use Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady" as the theme, but Raksin was not convinced that it was suitable. Angered, Preminger gave Raksin one weekend to compose an alternative melody. Raksin later said, and maintained for the rest of his days, that when, over that weekend, his wife sent him a "Dear John" letter, the haunting theme seemed to write itself.

Laura is the face in the misty light, footsteps that you hear down the hall
The laugh that floats on the summer night that you can never quite recall
And you see Laura on a train that is passing through, those eyes how familiar they seem
She gave your very first kiss to you, that was Laura but she's only a dream

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The song became a jazz standard and has been recorded over 400 times. Some of the best-known versions are by Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, Johnny Johnston, Emil Newman, David Rose, Billy Eckstine, Charlie Parker, J. J. Johnson, Carly Simon, Frank Sinatra and Julie London (included on her 1955 debut album Julie Is Her Name, Vol. 1). The first 10 notes of the song are sometimes "quoted" during jazz solos, especially since Dizzy Gillespie did it during his "Perdido" solo at the famous Massey Hall concert in 1953.

Lyrics

Laura is the face in the misty light
Footsteps that you hear down the hall
The laugh that floats on a summer night
That you can never quite recall

And you see Laura on a train that is passing through
Those eyes how familiar they seem
She gave your very first kiss to you
That was Laura but she's only a dream

She gave your very first kiss to you
That was Laura but she's only a dream

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Laura: the song story

"Laura" is a quintessential 1945 jazz standard composed by David Raksin with evocative lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Originally written as an instrumental theme for Otto Preminger’s classic 1944 film noir Laura, it quickly evolved into one of the most frequently recorded songs in the jazz repertoire, with more than 400 versions in existence.

Origin Story

• The Weekend Ultimatum: Director Otto Preminger initially wanted to use Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady" as the film's main theme. Raksin objected, believing it didn't fit the mysterious character of Laura Hunt. An irritated Preminger gave Raksin exactly one weekend to compose a replacement.
• The "Dear John" Inspiration: Struggling for inspiration on Sunday, Raksin received a separation letter from his wife. The heartbreak sparked the composition, and the haunting melody practically wrote itself over the next few hours.
• Adding the Lyrics: After the film's success made the melody a hit, lyricist Johnny Mercer was hired to write text for the song. Mercer hadn't even seen the movie yet, but he captured its ethereal, dreamlike essence perfectly with lines like "Laura is the face in the misty light...".

Musical Significance

Musically, the song is a complex, wandering ballad that relies heavily on major and minor seventh chords moving in a stepwise, descending motion. This gives the progression a restless, unresolved, and floating quality that perfectly mirrors the film's plot about a detective who falls in love with a dead woman's portrait.

Essential Recordings

The song became an immediate favorite for vocalists and improvising soloists alike:

• Charlie Parker (1950): A definitive instrumental take featuring Parker's soaring alto saxophone backed by a lush string section on his famous Charlie Parker with Strings sessions.
• Frank Sinatra (1957): Delivered a definitive, melancholy vocal performance arranged by Gordon Jenkins for the album Where Are You?
• Erroll Garner (1951): The legendary pianist recorded a highly celebrated, swinging trio version that highlights his unique rhythmic bounce and robust chordal style.
• Ella Fitzgerald (1964): Recorded a beautiful, definitive rendition for Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Johnny Mercer Song Book, arranged by Nelson Riddle

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