We are pleased to again celebrate Make Music Day once again with musicians from the San Francisco Symphony.
This year we'll present a violin / string bass duo with David Chernyavsky and Daniel G. Smith. Come to the Main Library Atrium at 4 PM on Friday, June 21, 2024 to enjoy this informal concert.
Make Music Day is a global event celebrated annually at the Summer Solstice. Launched in 1982 in France as the Fête de la Musique, it is now held on the same day in more than 1,000 cities in 120 countries.
Lee S. Roberts and J. Will Callahan's "Smiles" has been recorded by dozens of artists performing in many different styles. Rust's Jazz and Ragtime Records (1897-1942) lists sixteen versions. The online database of 78 rpm discs, the Discography of American Historical Recordings, lists 21 recorded performances. There are many other versions beyond these.
It was covered by the pioneering African-American group, Dan and Harvey's Jazz Band, in England in 1919.
The disc Columbia 737 labelled as "jazz music" is described as a string band with an instrumentation of piano (Dan Kildare), percussion (Harvey White), banjo, violin, and cello (all uncredited).
Around the same time James Reese Europe's legendary band recorded "Smiles" as part of a "Broadway 'Hit' Medley."
The Versatile Three - an African-American trio - made a recording in London in 1919.
Willard Robison and his Orchestra recorded "Smiles" in 1928. Taking advantage of the then new electric recording technology this is a gentler recording with sweet vocals by Ann Hanshaw.
Red Nichols and his Five Pennies (featuring Jack Teagarden, Benny Goodman, Jimmy Dorsey and Rube Bloom) recorded a jazzy version in 1929.
Jimmy Yates' Boll Weevils - Alabama based country group / Hawaiian guitar
Jimmy Revard and his Oklahoma Playboys - Western Swing
Charlie Barnet and his Orchestra (big band 1938)
Vocal version by Chick Bullock
A swinging live version Larry Clinton and his orchestra
The Benny Goodman Quartet featuring Teddy Wilosn, Gene Krupa and Lionel Hampton recorded it in 1937
Coleman Hawkins and The Ramblers recorded it in 1935
Boyd Senter and his Senterpedes jazzed it up 1930
A mellow rendition by Claude Thornhill and his Orchestra in 1942
Jo Stafford performs it swingingly with Dave Lambert and His Vocal Choir
Eddie Duchin performs "Smiles" as a piano solo with rhythm section accompaniment in 1947
Buddy Clark accompanies his vocals with some schmaltzy organ.
Lawrence Welk's Hotsy Totsy Boys present "Smiles" in a silly ragtime revival arrangement.
Andy Bey and The Bey Sisters peovide a wildly soulful version.
From Germany we get a rendition for honky tonk piano and rhythm section by Crazy Otto.
The great pianist / arranger Bill Evans also gave "Smiles" whirl.
The Ted Wilson Trio give a small combo version.
The Lamarotte Jazz Band from The Netherlands give a punchy Dixieland version.
"Smiles" gets the West Coast jazz treatment by Stan Getz.
Oscar Peterson gives a harmonically expansive rendition on piano with a rhythm section.
Finally, there is a satisfy mariachi rendition "Sonrisa" by Los Charros de Ameca de Roman Palomar.
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