#johnosterhagen

[johnosterhagenmusic]

Preces and Responses (2020) in its world premiere performance live at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Evanston, Illinois. Written for and performed by the choir of St. Luke's with celebrant Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, conducted by Andrew Lewis, Choirmaster.

#church music #preces and responses #johnosterhagen #choir

[myrecycledlife]

This is “Learn to Croon,” words by Sam Coslow and music by Arthur Johnston from 1933. This is my neo-vintage version. I fell in love with this song via the “Our Gang Follies of 1938,″ which, if you haven’t seen it, you should.  It’s amazing! Alfalfa sings this song in the end of the feature, after giving up the call of the opera stage and stardom and learning that simple singing is the best.  Here are the lyrics:

In days of old when knights were bold, fair ladies were enraptured by stirring deeds of chivalry and daring. But now-a-days in other ways, sweet maids are won and captured. You’ll hear the best authorities declaring:

Learn to croon, if you want to win your heart’s desire; sweet melodies of love inspire romance. Just murmur “boo boo boo boo boo,” and when you do, she’ll answer “boo boo boo boo boo” and nestle closer to you.  Learn to croon, you’ll eliminate each rival soon. If you’re heading for a sunny honeymoon, learn to croon!

Learn to croon, if you want to win your heart’s desire; sweet melodies of love inspire romance.  Just whisper “You’re so marvelous,” and when you do, she’ll whisper “You’re so wonderful,” and nestle closer to you.  Learn to croon, you’ll eliminate each rival soon.  If you’re heading for a sunny honeymoon, learn to croon!

#neovintage #johnosterhagen #learntocroon #alfalfa

[johnosterhagenmusic]

Merry Christmas, Darling

Merry Christmas, Darling written by Richard Carpenter with lyrics by Frank Pooler in 1970. This is my Christmas song release for 2023. Please forgive me, but there are a few spots in here where the piano is a bit off with the "band". If I had more time, it would be better, but I felt obligated to get it out on Christmas eve.

#johnosterhagen #christmas music #the carpenters

[johnosterhagenmusic]

"Tea for Two" written in 1924 by composer Vincent Youmans and lyricist Irving Caesar for the broadway show "No, No, Nanette." It became the biggest hit of the show and of Youman's career in general. I particularly love this song because it was sung in the 1975 documentary "Grey Gardens" by Big Edie Beale in quite a stunning rendition! Here it is sung by my dear friend Kerry Kincannon who recently visited me in my home and we recorded this on the fly. I have been wanting to sit and play songs with her for such a long time! It was a great experience and we're sure to do it together again. This is just a great song and I'm pleased to post it here for it's (almost) centennial!

#piano jazz #johnosterhagen #vocal jazz

[johnosterhagenmusic]

Preces and Responses (2020) - in a virtual performance by Choral Tracks led by Matthew Curtis. This composition was completed in March 2020 just before the pandemic took hold globally. It is dedicated to the Choir of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Evanston, Illinois and their choirmaster Andrew Lewis.  I hope some day a real performance might be possible. 

#evensong #choraltracks #johnosterhagen #cathedral

[johnosterhagenmusic]

This is “You Go to my Head” written in 1938 by John Frederick Coots and is a favorite of mine. The harmonic progression is so striking in that it goes from the Major I to the Minor iv in the first two measures.  I spent a free afternoon putting this together after actually transcribing it from a recording (I didn’t have the sheet music). I hope you like it. 

#neovintage #johnosterhagen #you go to my head #bandinabox

[johnosterhagenmusic]

(I’d Like to Get You on a) Slow Boat to China - written by Frank Loesser in 1948. This is something poker players once said to a newbie who was losing steadily and at length and Frank Loesser turned it into a romantic song.

The Uptown Boxed Band featuring Winnie Bago - Live recording (January 30, 2017) Chicago, IL

#vocal jazz #johnosterhagen #bandinabox #frank loesser #slow boat to China

[johnosterhagenmusic]

This is “Someday My Prince Will Come,” written for the 1937 film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (the very first feature-length animated film!). Words by Larry Morey and music by Frank Churchill. This is my “live” recording with the Uptown Boxed Band featuring Winnie Bago - Live recording (February 4, 2017) Chicago, IL

#vocal jazz #johnosterhagen #bandinabox #snow white #someday my prince will come

[johnosterhagenmusic]

This is “Learn to Croon,” words by Sam Coslow and music by Arthur Johnston from 1933. This is my neo-vintage version. I fell in love with this song via the “Our Gang Follies of 1938,″ which, if you haven’t seen it, you should.  It’s amazing! Alfalfa sings this song in the end of the feature, after giving up the call of the opera stage and stardom and learning that simple singing is the best.  Here are the lyrics:

In days of old when knights were bold, fair ladies were enraptured by stirring deeds of chivalry and daring. But now-a-days in other ways, sweet maids are won and captured. You’ll hear the best authorities declaring:

Learn to croon, if you want to win your heart’s desire; sweet melodies of love inspire romance. Just murmur “boo boo boo boo boo,” and when you do, she’ll answer “boo boo boo boo boo” and nestle closer to you.  Learn to croon, you’ll eliminate each rival soon. If you’re heading for a sunny honeymoon, learn to croon!

Learn to croon, if you want to win your heart’s desire; sweet melodies of love inspire romance.  Just whisper “You’re so marvelous,” and when you do, she’ll whisper “You’re so wonderful,” and nestle closer to you.  Learn to croon, you’ll eliminate each rival soon.  If you’re heading for a sunny honeymoon, learn to croon!

#neovintage #JohnOsterhagen #learntocroon #alfalfa #ourgang

[johnosterhagenmusic]

“My Favorite Things” from “The Sound of Music” by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Piano and Vocals by John Osterhagen. This is my Christmas track for this year. Merry Christmas

#my favourite things #sound of music #pianovocal #Christmas2016 #JohnOsterhagen