Just Friends (1931 song)
Encyclopedia
"Just Friends" is a popular song that has become a jazz standard
. The song was written in 1931 by John Klenner with lyrics by Sam M. Lewis
. Although introduced by Red McKenzie
and His Orchestra in October 1931, it first became a hit when singer Russ Columbo
performed it with Leonard Joy’s Orchestra in 1932. It charted again the same year in a version by Ben Selvin
and His Orchestra and has been recorded often since.
In 1987, guitarist Larry Coryell
covered the song from his album "Toku Do."
Jazz standard
Jazz standards are musical compositions which are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive list of jazz standards, and the list of songs deemed to be...
. The song was written in 1931 by John Klenner with lyrics by Sam M. Lewis
Sam M. Lewis
Sam M. Lewis was a Jewish-American singer and lyricist, born in New York City, New York as Samuel Levine-Biography:...
. Although introduced by Red McKenzie
Red McKenzie
Red McKenzie was an American jazz musician. He was the best-known, and one of the only, comb players in jazz history....
and His Orchestra in October 1931, it first became a hit when singer Russ Columbo
Russ Columbo
Ruggiero Eugenio di Rodolpho Colombo , known as Russ Columbo, was an American singer, violinist and actor, most famous for his signature tune, "You Call It Madness, But I Call It Love", his compositions "Prisoner of Love" and "Too Beautiful For Words", and the legend surrounding his early...
performed it with Leonard Joy’s Orchestra in 1932. It charted again the same year in a version by Ben Selvin
Ben Selvin
Benjamin B. Selvin , son of Russian-immigrant Jewish parents, was a musician, bandleader, record producer and innovator in recorded music. He was known as The Dean of Recorded Music....
and His Orchestra and has been recorded often since.
In 1987, guitarist Larry Coryell
Larry Coryell
Larry Coryell is an American jazz fusion guitarist.-Biography:Coryell was born in Galveston, Texas. He graduated from Richland High School, in Richland, Washington, where he played in local bands The Jailers, The Rumblers, The Royals, and The Flames. He also played with The Checkers from nearby...
covered the song from his album "Toku Do."
Notable Recordings
- Chet BakerChet BakerChesney Henry "Chet" Baker, Jr. was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and singer.Though his music earned him a large following , Baker's popularity was due in part to his "matinee idol-beauty" and "well-publicized drug habit."He died in 1988 in Amsterdam, the...
- The Best of Chet Baker Sings - Billie HolidayBillie HolidayBillie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
- The Complete Billie Holiday on Verve 1945 - 1959 - Charlie ParkerCharlie ParkerCharles Parker, Jr. , famously called Bird or Yardbird, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer....
- Charlie Parker with StringsCharlie Parker with StringsCharlie Parker with Strings is a compilation album by jazz musician Charlie Parker, released by Verve Records in January 1995. It is based on recording sessions originally issued as two albums released in 1950 on Mercury Records. The sessions place Parker in the context of a small classical string...