Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong · 1957
Origins
Written by George Gershwin, lyrics by DuBose Heyward, for the opera Porgy and Bess (1935). It is the first song of the opera, a mother singing her baby to sleep.
Context
It became one of the most recorded songs ever, from Billie Holiday to Janis Joplin. Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong recorded a famous version in 1957.
Piano Guide & Structure
Chords in this arrangement:
Practice tip: Lean into the bluesy swing feel. The minor thirds and suspended tones create that classic sultry summer atmosphere.
Interactive challenge to practice before playing:
🎯 Grade 3 Chord Training Challenge →Free, in your browser: follow the falling notes, slow it down, and add it to your learnings.
Play this song in the app
Melody in the right hand, bass in the left. Watch the notes fall in Live Piano and play along at your own speed.
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