Recently we recommended a recording of ‘Frenesi’ by the great trumpeter Chet Baker. Another fine trumpeter of the 1950’s and 1960’s was the West Coast-based Shorty Rogers, a Jew who became a Christian. On a 1954 recording date with his Quintet (Jimmy Giuffre (reeds), Pete Jolly (piano), Curtis Counce (bass) and Shelly Manne (drums)), Rogers demonstrated his mastery of the instrument and impressive improvisational skills on the 1935 tune “The Lady In Red”.
Wrubel and Dixon wrote this tune and lyrics for the 1935 Busby Berkeley film ‘In Caliente’. The tune was also recorded by Xavier Cugat. Enjoy Shorty Rogers!