"The Very Thought Of You"

This video features one of jazz's greatest stylists, the one and only Frank Wess, performing "The Very Thought of You," one of the most beautiful ballads of all time.

"The Very Thought of You," composed by Ray Noble in 1934, was originally made a hit by Bing Crosby.

Noble, born in 1903 in England, composed many jazz standards including: "Love is the Sweetest Thing," "Cherokee," and "The Touch of Your Lips."

While many people who love jazz and read about it online know about the musicians performing in videos being described, it is much rarer to know the story behind the song, or the songs connecting one another via composer, songwriter, or arranger.

For example, consider "The Very Thought of You." Many people often think of tunes that are today considered jazz standards as being originally written for something; for a play, for a film, etc. I once saw a show in which jazz musicians paid tribute to Broadway. "The Very Thought of You" was a featured tune. However, "The Very Thought of You" was never on Broadway. It was never featured in a play - it wasn't written for one - and it wasn't on film until 1950, in Young Man With A Horn. It was written by Ray Noble for his orchestra for the purpose of performance.

Noble led a very successful English orchestra whose records sold very well in America. Upon arriving in America, Noble hired Glenn Miller to recruit American musicians for his new band. While they did have a successful run at the Rainbow Room, his American band wasn't as successful; the musician's grew to look up to Miller and resent Noble.

It is really interesting to discover these fascinating relationships between tunes that we all know and love, but may or may not know the complete story behind them.