The Lamp Is Low – 2021

Emmet Cohen and Cyrille Aimee

A rapid version of the classical melody

From Emmet Cohen’s very popular series of weekly Live Streams that uplifted the spirits of many jazz fans during the COVID pandemic, here is a very uptempo version of “The Lamp Is Low.”

The melody was originally adapted from a composition by Maurice Ravel and became a popular swing standard in 1939.

During this racehorse version, Cyrille Aimee sings the melody and then takes several choruses of heated and inventive scat-singing.

Guitarist Dan Wilson (with bassist Russell Hall in support) creates a fine solo before pianist Cohen really digs into the song and comes up with some miraculous playing.

Kyle Poole contributes an excellent drum solo before the memorable version ends.

-Scott Yanow