A Wintry Song and Jazz Singer Ernestine Anderson

 

 

Songs related to the seasons are among my favorite things.  Since winter will soon be here, I’m spotlighting the wintry song “Moonlight in Vermont” in this post.  From a number of videos of individual jazz singers performing "Moonlight in Vermont," I chose a video featuring American jazz and blues singer Ernestine Anderson.  By the way, Anderson’s birthday is this month.

Ernestine Anderson was born on November 11, 1928, in Houston, Texas.  When she was 16, her family relocated to Seattle, Washington.  She moved to New York and later lived in London, England, in order to advance her career.  Anderson eventually returned to and settled in Seattle.  There is much information about her on the Internet and elsewhere.  

Ernestine Anderson was included in the Smithsonian Institution’s CD anthology The Jazz Singers, and she was one of 75 women honored in the book I Dream a World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America, by Brian Lanker.

 

Dinah Washington Owns "September in the Rain"

 
 
 
 



 



 

Many people enjoy listening to recordings of "September in the Rain" by legends such as Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington, and others.  The lyrics describe the rain as being a sweet refrain, a reminder of a love affair that happened during a September in the past.  Dinah Washington’s strong voice and blues style add something special to this standard song.  Other qualities she brings to it, like timing, a certain crispness, and clear enunciation (which can be heard on all of her recordings), enable Dinah to own "September in the Rain."

A Favorite Cold Weather Song

A song about the cold weather that can make one feel cozy and warm is the ballad, "Baby It's Cold Outside."   This song has been sung by a number of great artists who collaborated to bring us a wonderful duet.   One of the outstanding recordings of "Baby It's Cold Outside" is by Lou Rawls and Dianne Reeves.  Another is the one by Ray Charles and Betty Carter in the video above.