Over the 2024 Labor Day Weekend, I created a collage of the 16 Capitol Records album covers born of their tribute to many of the great American songwriters from the '40s, '50s and '60s. I was drawn, no pun intended, to this, because I just love the caricature artwork of the great, Robert Risko! Included within this collage is a very funny drawing of my late father, lyricist Sammy Cahn. When you have collections that offer the songs of: Cole Porter, Jerome Kern and Rodgers & Hart, just those mentioned is enough to fill volumes of words of praise. Not to mention, hours upon hours of memories of treasured listening. But, WHO, in my opinion. is missing from these collections?
    When you compare to anyone else the partial body of work and the profound nature of just these nine(9) songs by: Jimmy Van Heusen, mostly with lyricist Johnny Burke, these songs alone can stand up against the full body of work of any other composer(s). Look at these songs, and then think about the fact that most of the great Jazz players have played and recorded them:

"Here's That Rainy Day"
"Like Someone in Love"
"It Could Happen to You"
"Polka Dots and Moonbeams"
"But Beautiful"
"Oh, You Crazy Moon"
"Darn that Dream" (w/ Eddie DeLange)
"I Thought About You" (w/ Johnny Mercer)
"Nancy (with the Laughing Face)" (w/ Phil Silvers)

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    Please allow me to present to you a small sampling of how some of our greatest Jazz artists have interpreted these enduring melodies of Jimmy Van Heusen. Just click on the links and enjoy listening to these wonderful performances of his music.

    Let's begin with "Here's That Rainy Day"(Van Heusen-Burke) and here are performances by: Freddie Hubbard/George Benson; Stan Getz/Gary Burton; Kenny Burrell and lastly Wes Montgomery.

    "Like Someone in Love"(Van Heusen-Burke) with performances by: Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers featuring Lee Morgan and Wayne Shorter; Paul Desmond; John Coltrane and Mike Mainieri.

    "It Could Happen to You"(Van Heusen-Burke) featuring performances by: Miles Davis; Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett.

    "Polka Dots and Moonbeams"(Van Heusen-Burke) with performances by: Paul Desmond/Jim Hall; Bill Evans and Wes Montgomery.

    "But Beautiful"(Van Heusen-Burke) as recorded by: Chick Corea; Freddie Hubbard; Hank Jones and Stan Getz.

    "Oh, You Crazy Moon"(Van Heusen-Burke) featuring performances by: Wes Montgomery and Art Tatum.

    "Darn That Dream"(Van Heusen-DeLange) with performances by: Thelonious Monk; Bill Evans/Jim Hall and Art Farmer.

    "I Thought About You"(Van Heusen-Mercer) as recorded by: Miles Davis; Keith Jarrett and Steve Kuhn.

    "Nancy(With The Laughing Face)"(Van Heusen-Silvers) with performances by: John Coltrane; Cannonball Adderley/Bill Evans; Grant Green and Bobby Hutcherson.

    If these 9 songs were someone's entire body of work, one could rest easy and feel exceptionally proud. These are all remarkable songs. Love me some Chester Babcock!!! That's Jimmy's real name!!!

    I hope that many of you will enjoy these wonderful Robert Risko caricatures and the great, great songs of these fantastic songwriters.

    BIG LOVE to all, Steve