Diana Krall is a Canadian jazz pianist and vocalist whose interpretations of American standards have earned her international recognition and multiple Grammy nominations. Her approach to the Great American Songbook combines technical piano facility with intimate vocal delivery, making her recordings essential listening for musicians seeking models of tasteful jazz arrangement and lyrical phrasing.
Why we love this
Krall's version of this Gershwin standard demonstrates how a jazz musician balances accompaniment and melody without sacrificing either. The piano voicings throughout reward careful study; her comping choices show restraint and sophistication that elevate the vocal line rather than compete with it.
What to expect
The piece unfolds with conversational ease, like a confident reflection voiced over gentle piano commentary. There's warmth without sentimentality here; the harmony suggests subtle sophistication while remaining grounded in genuine emotion.
Who it's for
Vocalists working in jazz settings or contemporary musical theater contexts will find this arrangement accessible yet sophisticated. Pianists seeking models of tasteful jazz comping and musicians interested in the intersection of classical song interpretation and jazz idiom will benefit from close study of this score.
How to get the most out of it
Shape the vocal line with the natural phrasing of conversational speech rather than strict metric divisions; Krall's interpretation prioritizes lyrical flow over metronomic precision.
Voice the piano comping with attention to register and density; fuller voicings during ensemble sections give way to minimal accompaniment during intimate phrases.
Allow flexibility in the tempo for expressive moments, particularly when the melody dips into its lower register; the arrangement supports this kind of phrasing choice.
Balance the intimacy of the vocal with clear articulation in the piano part; neither instrument should blur into the background.
How to use it
Include this alongside other American standards in a jazz or cabaret concert to demonstrate how contemporary jazz artists honor the Great American Songbook. It pairs naturally with other Gershwin vocal writing and offers a bridge between classical song tradition and modern jazz interpretation.
Skills your students will build
Comping with chord extensions and tensions while supporting the vocal line
Phrasing lyrics naturally across jazz harmonies
Balancing accompaniment density to feature the soloist
Interpreting written notation with stylistic flexibility appropriate to jazz idiom
Understanding the relationship between harmony and melody in American songwriting
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