ANITA O'DAY I'll See You In My Dreams

Starting from the time I was 16 I probably saw Anita O'Day ten or more times, and this gig, her fiftieth anniversary in show business concert at Carnegie Hall, is undoubtedly my favorite. Anita was on top of her latter period game on this night and had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand. The band consisted of such greats as Hank Jones, Jay Leonhart, Frank Wess, Urbie Green, Randy Brecker, and others. One of Anita's special guests was that elusive butterfly, Richie Cole, and for me, the highlight of the evening was his and Anita's "duet" of My Funny Valentine, which oddly has never made it to a record or CD (you can hear my amateur recording of it elsewhere on YouTube). But here is Cole jamming with Anita and the band on the final encore of the night, an unplanned version of I'll See You In My Dreams. Anita sang this song on an LP in the 50's and to the best of my knowledge this is her first and only live performance of the tune.

[hawkrider]

Wow...a real treasure. Thanks so much for posting. Anita was a trip for sure. A great artist who really kept musicians on their toes. She was fearless!

[fifermcgee]

Anita was in a class of her own. Fantastic artist, true American treasure. How lucky you were Buzz to see her live, would have given my first born for that privilege.

[joehallen]

MISS ANITA O'DAY BACK IN THE DAY WAS MAGNIFICENT!!

[dorothypoole]

Piano - Hank Jones, Bass - Jay Leonhart, Trumpets - Virgil Jones, Jon Wilder, John Frock, Randy Brecker, Trombones - Urbie Green, Jim Pugh, Birch Johnson, Alan Raph, Saxophones - Jerry Dodgion, Luarence Feldman, Frank Wess, Alex Foster, Larry Charles

[dorothypoole]

Drummer John Poole, Sax solo Richie Cole, May 25, 1985.   We spent $40, 000 of our house money on this concert.

[paulstud]

terrific clip of a great artist. what year is this?

[davidhazard]

Do you have the duet with Roy Eldridge