Academy Award Winning Songs

We continue an occasional series of programs focusing on the American Popular Song, examining the impact of the legendary composers on the jazz repertory.  For some of the best in jazz improvisation derives from its interpretations of the musical forms, melodies and harmonies of these great treasures.

For this show I did something different, and fun, and less intensive.  I surveyed songs that won the Academy Award Oscar as Best Original Song in a motion picture.  These movie songs certainly contribute to the heritage of our great American songbook.

Among the composers winning this award are Jerome Kern, Harry Warren, Harold Arlen and Jimmy Van Heusen, to name a few.  And tunes such as The Way You Look Tonight, Over The Rainbow, It Might As Well Be Spring, Days Of Wine And Roses.

We’ll present a curated presentation of jazz versions of the songs, by greats John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Clifford Brown, Kenny Dorham, and less famous figures as well.

originally broadcast March 15, 2026