Body And Soul – 1958
Anita O’Day
O’Day in a spontaneous setting
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Anita O’Day was in her prime throughout the 1950s when she was one of the top jazz singers.
During an edition of the Art Ford Jazz Party television series in 1958, she performed a rather spontaneous version of “Body And Soul.”
O’Day quickly picked out the musicians to accompany her: pianist Marty Napoleon, guitarist Mundell Lowe, bassist Vinnie Burke, and drummer Zutty Singleton.
The first chorus of “Body And Soul” is medium-slow and then the singer cooks during much of the second chorus before it ends as a ballad.
Throughout the performance, her choice of notes is quite boppish, modern and natural. Anita O’Day shows that she was one of the few singers of the time who was right at home in a loose jam session.
-Scott Yanow
