Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise

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Basic Info

ComposerSigmund Romberg
LyricistOscar Hammerstein II
FormA - A - B - A
StyleSwing

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Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise Analysis Sheet

  • Very good sample of a passing diminish chord for ascending chord progression.

Description

  • From the 1928 operetta The New Moon (also “Lover, Come Back…” is included). from Wikipedia and JazzStandards.com
  • The original song was composed as a tango (the sinuous, strongly rhythmic melodic line resembles an Argentine tango), and features a dance as accompaniment to the choral reprise. And the original arrangement was marked as such and written in 2/4, which is common in Latin/Brazilian music. from Wikipedia and JazzStandards.com
  • Common key is C minor but the original Key is D minor. from JazzStandards.com
  • In “B” section, a descending(?) bass line leads to a deceptive cadence as the viiø7 of F major becomes the iiø7 of D minor. from JazzStandards.com

Movie

  • The original recording opera version. from YouTube

Sample Record

AlbumPersonnelNote
A Night at the Village Vanguard (1957)
iTunes
Sonny Rollins(ts), Don Bailey(b), Pete LaRoca(dr)Historical recording. Chordless trio.
A Night at the Village Vanguard (1957)
iTunes
Sonny Rollins(ts), Wilbur Ware(b), Elvin Jones(dr)Historical recording. Chordless trio.
Kelly Blue (1959)
iTunes
Wynton Kelly(pf), Paul Chambers(b), Jimmy Cobb(dr)Historical recording. Great bass intro.
In Person (Live at the Village Vanguard) (1961)
iTunes
Bobby Timmons(pf), Ron Carter(b), Albert Heath(dr)Bass featured recording.
Unity (1966)
iTunes
Larry Young(org), Joe Henderson(ts), Woody Shaw(tp), Elvin Jones(dr)Organ quartet.
Alone Together (1972)
iTunes
Jim Hall(gt), Ron Carter(b)Historical recording. Interactive guitar & bass duo.
People Time (1991)
Stan Getz(ts), Kenny Barron(pf)Historical recording. Piano & tenor sax duo.
Finally - Live In Stockholm (1992)
Joe Pass(gt), Red Mitchell(b)Guitar & bass duo.
On The First Occasion (1998)
Ellis Marsalis(pf), Bill Huntington(b), Jason Marsalis(dr)Great arrangement.