Nat King Cole

LOVE

Bert Kaempfert was one of the pioneers of the entertainment orchestra and had a strong focus on wind instruments, often as soloists. His first hit was Wonderland by Night, which is a trumpet solo. He also hired The Beatles to accompany Tony Sheridan and it was after this record that Brian Epstein took an interest in them. Still, one of Bert Kaempfert's highlights was when Nat King Cole picked out L-O-V-E for his own record. A recording he himself set as a highlight of his career. The tune has truly become a 'standard' and is recorded by multiple artists, ranging from Bublé to Dionne Warwick. The tune has also been used in several TV series (as Glee and Heart), so if you have 'movie music' as a theme for the concert, it fits in as well. It was his record producer, Milt Gabler, who wrote the text.

The arrangement allows for solo and has a melody that wanders through most parts. Modulations (2) are done in whole tone steps instead of getting extreme keys by going up just a half tone. Important to distinguish between 'halftime swing' and 'four beat swing' (bars 53 and 76). Enjoy!