Blues In The Night

Blues in the night, with music by Harold Arlen and Lyrics by Johnny Mercer, was penned in 1941. The duo knew they had something and the night they finished it they called friend Margaret Whiting and asked if she'd be willing to listen to it. She said "I have some friends over for dinner" but Mercer and Arlen rushed over anyway. The friends turned out to be Mickey Rooney, Martha Raye, Mel Torme and Judy Garland. They were so blown away by it, they had them play it 7 more times.

The fact that it has been covered well and often, so often that it is considered part of the Great American Songbook, shows the tunes lasting power. Icons such as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Shirley Bassey, Tony Bennett, Eva Cassidy, Judy Garland, Van Morrison, and Paula's favorite, Dinah Washington, all considered it part of their repertoire.

80 years after "Blues in the night" made it's original debut at Margaret Whitings dinner party, it has now been arranged by the fabulous maestro, Nate Ginsberg for the "She Swings Blue" Show- a tribute to the music of Dinah Washington he and Paula created. It has quickly not only become one of the most difficult songs Paula does, which is saying something, it is also one of their favorites. One can't help but notice how much fun former drummer for Little Richard, Derrick "D'Mar" Martin, is having during the song. Rounding out the terrific San Francisco trio is Bassist, Aaron Germain. Dinah, who also frequenstly worked with talented trios for her love shows woud be proud.

Filmed at the Fox Theater in Redwood City California.