Lullaby of Birdland

Description

George Weiss’s flirtatious words to the jazz standard Lullaby of Birdland by George Shearing follow a long musical tradition connecting birds and love. This arrangement explores this theme, with its opening whimsical chorus of birdsong using a number of special effects, including flutter tonguing and a range of vibrato techniques.

Inspired by New York’s jazz club, Birdland (named after Charlie ‘Yardbird’ Parker), where Shearing had first performed in 1949, the song has been recorded many times with different instrumentation – but this might be the first for recorder ensemble.

Audio Performance

This arrangement can be heard on Fontanella Quintet’s album The Nightingale’s Response (BCR 015) – excerpt below.