Dirk Shaeffer doesn't quote any dates for the recording by Mitch Miller of
'April Age' by Don Cherry with Percy Faith's Orchestra, although the sheet music
shows it as being written in 1956.

At that time Cleo Laine had just left husband John Dankworth's band and set off
on her own recording career. I still treasure an EP, which was Cleo's second
for the Pye/Nixa label, recorded in September 1956. The sleeve note says "The
title song "The April Age", comes from the pen of Alex (sic) Wilder, a prolific
writer of high-class popular songs and a well known stormy petrel of the jazz
scene of the 'thirties. This, again, is a first recording, and the song was
especially sent from the United States for Miss Laine to exercise upon it the
charm and distinction of her vocal style."

The EP also included "I'll Remember April", "April in Paris" and "I Dedicate
April". Interestingly the accompanying quintet includes John Dankworth
appearing under the pseudonym 'George Martin' - George was, at that time,
Dankworth's record producer on another label, whilst doubling as producer for
the Beatles. The tracks are on a CD "Cleo's Choice" available from the Dankworth
website and perhaps from other dealers"

http://quarternotes.com/

Gordon Sapsed

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