Loved June all my life having discovered her way back with Stan Kenton. What a beautiful and talented entertainer she was. Hope you agree! March, 2023.
Awesome performance that reminds us how easily the pros could sing, without close in mikes and exaggerated hand gestures and without straining. Nat Cole was a heck of a piano player and Mel Torme was a fine drummer. Great!
To quote a comment herein of a few months ago, June Christy was in the same league as Torme and Cole, for sure. She had trouble in the intro because Torme and Nat King Cole, marvelous artists, began by "playing with each other and therefore, June couldn't find where to come in. She was enormously talented. Having ALL of her CDs, I can tell you that her range is greater than most singers and, definitely is comfortable singing ballads, swing, and upbeat tunes, in general. Without question, you can hear what I'm telling you if you listen to her sing with only Kenton backing her on piano on the album entitled "Duet." I think the definitive comment on this piece, and I am a huge Torme and Cole fan, is "How lucky Nat King Cole and Mel Torme are to back up June Christy." I was backstage at Kenton's Festival of Modern American Jazz in Denver in 1954. Only he and I were backstage as Candido performed. He said he was worried because June was late and she arrived immediately after his comment. She was beautiful, smiled and said hello to me like she knew me. She was so pleasant, I melted. Following her performance, she drew louder applause than Dizzy Gillespie, Erroll Garner, or other solosists (Charlie Parker didn't show, not surprisingly). The Kenton band, incidently, was in top form.
Now, that´s what you call a true artist. Such a simplicity no tricks, glamours, etc, Just June and her music.Total in comand of her voice doing all sorts of effects provinding us with the best os the cool jazz era. And that´s is the meaning of I Want to Be Happy. For sure we are June. Thanks to you
Love June .... Once , at my birthday party .... my mother asked me to make a wish before blowing out the candles ... my secret wish was .... That June was my mother. I use to sing all her songs in high school .... love her rendition of "That's All."
Mel is my hero. He's the best male scat singer, he absolutely rocks on the drums, his vocal arrangements for groups take the cake AND he wrote Chestnuts Roasting!
June Christy has always been a favorite of mine for a long time...her voice is so arresting! Nat's piano playing was legendary before he took to the vocals (my mother loved his playing so much, she resented his singing!) BTW: Listen to Freddie Cole (Nat's brother)...you will not be disappointed!
It's too bad more people don't know what a great pianist Nat Cole was (that's funny about yr mom!). I probably first heard Freddy Cole about 10 yrs ago and really love his style; his voice is like a warm wool (slightly scratchy!) blanket. I was sorry to learn he passed away several months ago.
Yeah. And back then viewers took fantastic TV shows such as the Nat King Cole Show for granted. But at least someone recorded it and we can watch it now.
He may be immortalized as one of the best vocalists of American Popular song to ever live, but Nathaniel Adams Coles (Nat "King" Cole) was a marvelous pianist. Once he crossed over into the mainstream, the spotlight was on his piano playing far too infrequently. It is a great pleasure to see him accompany the invariably enjoyable June Christy here along with Mel Tormé on drums.
Agreed! I knew about his playing, and even I have to be reminded once in a while what he could do with a piano. And, I have to admit, until I saw this I had no idea the velvet fog could beat the skins! WTG Mel!
0:20 the way MEL skipped to the drum set, 1:07 The dexterity and fluidity of NATS genius piano skills, 1:43 Rambunctious drum solo by MEL 2:20 The husky cry of JUNES singing voice. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF JAZZ AT ITS MOST PLAYFUL AND EXPRESSIVE NATURE.
Typically witty, relaxed, fiercely-swinging solo from the great Cole, nice work from Torme in the chases, and a swiftly, neatly torn off vocal from the best singer to come out of the Kenton outfit whose name wasn't Anita O'Day. Ella of course would make this one of her signature tunes but June Christy, who did indeed help bring it to prominence, more than holds her own with it, and with the illustrious company. Smashing video.
Love these classic artists. And one day while watching garage squad, I couldn't help but notice a slight resemblance between Heather storm and June Christy, both very attractive women.
What a marvelous sense of humor Nat Cole had with his intro at 1:04, and trying his intro again at 1:54, of two Civil War hymn melodies. The Revolution took place anyway. Love this vid.
Nat my high school fav and of course the love of Julie Christi ..The crush I had and when she sang the sultry voice only added to her allure + pretty girl! p.s.. did not know Mel Torme played drums.. Did see Torme in Atlanta at an outdoor spring concert years ago. Wine served on silver trays.. Piedmont Park.
Winners of the Metronome All-Stars poll for best male and female vocal positions, Nat King Cole & June Christy recorded the extremely rare Columbia Records 78 rpm, "Nat Meets June," their only record together, this duet is more blues than jazz, making this a rare performance of 2 west coast jazz titans indeed. Capitol Records was probably more than pissed at having 2 of their top acts recording a hot single for a rival label, but Columbia had the winners poll contract with Metronome.
Great Juney!! Just great! The song is kind of a hard one to sing, actually, and she is singing just like having a pleasant talk! She is the 1st reason for my fondness of 1950s!
I always wondered why Oscar Peterson, loved Nat's piano playing so much, and i've heard Nat play before, but not like this! and now i hear Nat's style of playing in the sounds of Oscar Peterson. Everybody incredible!
This kind of programming was on the tube every week, nearly every night when there were only 3 networks. You can't find it in 6 mos. of 100 channels today.
Sheikh is right. Mel and Nat run to the instruments like boys going back to their first loves: the drum kit and the piano. They trust and like June enough to let her take the mic, so they can merge into their original instruments, where they spent many hours practicing their original craft. It's like they're letting another captain take the helm of the ship, so they can better enjoy their craft work positions, and not having to worry about driving. What a fun clip. Thanks for posting!
Dear responders🙂🎶, Please pay attention to her singing "around the ritme "‼️ That INCLUDES(!) the beginning! No mistake where she's coming from! And I don't notice her being under "the influence" of anything like alcohol or such!!! She's enormously talented! I'm sorry, but I happen to have what they call: an absolute hearing. She's not so much lucky to sing with the two gentlemen, she's in their league ‼️ God bless! 💐 Sincerly in Christ Jesus of Nazareth,✝️🌹, A. DEE WAI.
Three Great performers Together !!Love it! Her vibrato voice at the and of her phrase remind's me so much the Great Mrs Anita o' Day,Thank you so much for share this wonderful and treasure video.
This was very impromtu, and gee, these folks are professional and having some fun! Yeah, Mel could play drums and arrange he hell out of vocals, especially for trios and quartets! Ask me about Mel, I worked with him and he was a hard task master, and great human being and fun to work with! Why are folk so darned critical? Enjoy the music by some great folk who are no longer with us!
thank you thank you thank you!!! I had this on VHS when I was in highschool (my friends didn't understand - 80s headbanger, I was) and lost the tape since then. I looked for it here on RUclips a couple years ago and forgot about it... thank you!!!
This video reminds us what a great pianist Nat was, and what a swinger Mel was on the trap set- killer stuff, man!!! Oh, and the most unsung guitar hero- Oscar Moore!!! WOWSA!!!!
I am continually amazed at Mel Torme I used to think he was just a pretty good singer. Of course he was was. But, he was also a great arranger and he shows himself to be a fine drummer.
People forget what an innovative and swinging jazz pianist Nat was. What a treat to have had such hot jazz on tap on regular TV!
I recall reading somewhere that Nat "King" Cole was one of the greatest jazz pianists ever.
I had no idea until lately. I think he should be counted among the jazz greats.
It's a tough song to deny. It's a pop standard. It's in royal territory. Nat, Mel and June are our gateway into this tune. I love all three.
Loved June all my life having discovered her way back with Stan Kenton. What a beautiful and talented entertainer she was. Hope you agree! March, 2023.
Awesome performance that reminds us how easily the pros could sing, without close in mikes and exaggerated hand gestures and without straining. Nat Cole was a heck of a piano player and Mel Torme was a fine drummer. Great!
What a great treat Nat King Cole trio along with June Christy and Mel Torme. Thank God of technology.
Can you guys believe they did this live for real on national TV? What talent!
That's called performing. It's what real musicians do.
To quote a comment herein of a few months ago, June Christy was in the same league as Torme and Cole, for sure. She had trouble in the intro because Torme and Nat King Cole, marvelous artists, began by "playing with each other and therefore, June couldn't find where to come in. She was enormously talented. Having ALL of her CDs, I can tell you that her range is greater than most singers and, definitely is comfortable singing ballads, swing, and upbeat tunes, in general. Without question, you can hear what I'm telling you if you listen to her sing with only Kenton backing her on piano on the album entitled "Duet." I think the definitive comment on this piece, and I am a huge Torme and Cole fan, is "How lucky Nat King Cole and Mel Torme are to back up June Christy." I was backstage at Kenton's Festival of Modern American Jazz in Denver in 1954. Only he and I were backstage as Candido performed. He said he was worried because June was late and she arrived immediately after his comment. She was beautiful, smiled and said hello to me like she knew me. She was so pleasant, I melted. Following her performance, she drew louder applause than Dizzy Gillespie, Erroll Garner, or other solosists (Charlie Parker didn't show, not surprisingly). The Kenton band, incidently, was in top form.
She may bve singing, but the break in in the middle really showcases nat's absolute mastery at the piano.
Wow, what's not to love about June Christy, Nat Cole and Mel Torme together in a live performance!!
Good Lord -- what a marvelous assemblage of talent. Miss Christy melts my heart.
How great is this ? Torme , Christy, King Cole. And the fact that Torme and King Cole were not only great singers but musicians as well.
Now, that´s what you call a true artist. Such a simplicity no tricks, glamours, etc, Just June and her music.Total in comand of her voice doing all sorts of effects provinding us with the best os the cool jazz era. And that´s is the meaning of I Want to Be Happy. For sure we are June. Thanks to you
Love June .... Once , at my birthday party .... my mother asked me to make a wish before blowing out the candles ... my secret wish was .... That June was my mother. I use to sing all her songs in high school .... love her rendition of "That's All."
Mel is my hero. He's the best male scat singer, he absolutely rocks on the drums, his vocal arrangements for groups take the cake AND he wrote Chestnuts Roasting!
Best female singer of Jazz. Lovely singer
Robert Cecil Morgan-Wilde it’s my opinion. If you cannot respect that; then I don’t know what you want from me!
Robert Cecil Morgan-Wilde what...are you calling me RACIST or something...hahahahaa(my Dad’s black)! 😂
She's adorable.
Oh baby. Torme on drums, Nat on piano. Unstoppable.
Let's not overlook June Christy's vocals here. Her momentary lyric mixup just proves it was live television. Nice work, all three!
Nat King Cole must be one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, bar none.
June Christy has always been a favorite of mine for a long time...her voice is so arresting! Nat's piano playing was legendary before he took to the vocals (my mother loved his playing so much, she resented his singing!) BTW: Listen to Freddie Cole (Nat's brother)...you will not be disappointed!
It's too bad more people don't know what a great pianist Nat Cole was (that's funny about yr mom!). I probably first heard Freddy Cole about 10 yrs ago and really love his style; his voice is like a warm wool (slightly scratchy!) blanket. I was sorry to learn he passed away several months ago.
June and Bob Cooper were married for a lifetime together!
She is so talented wow
Look at how excited nat and mel were. They ran to their respective instruments as if they cant wait to get started.
The Misty Miss Christy, Nat, Mel and a great guitar and bass. How much better can it get. June also was great with Stan Kenton's band.
Very fine drumming by Mel showing off his Buddy Rich licks.Tremendous talent all round, the like of which we will never see again.
What a special thing to have on tape. the Great June Christy with Nat King Cole and Mel Torme. Wow.
what a fab performance by June. she's really swinging here, and listening to her sing this tune makes me feel great.
Yeah. And back then viewers took fantastic TV shows such as the Nat King Cole Show for granted. But at least someone recorded it and we can watch it now.
He may be immortalized as one of the best vocalists of American Popular song to ever live, but Nathaniel Adams Coles (Nat "King" Cole) was a marvelous pianist. Once he crossed over into the mainstream, the spotlight was on his piano playing far too infrequently. It is a great pleasure to see him accompany the invariably enjoyable June Christy here along with Mel Tormé on drums.
Agreed! I knew about his playing, and even I have to be reminded once in a while what he could do with a piano. And, I have to admit, until I saw this I had no idea the velvet fog could beat the skins! WTG Mel!
Never knew he played so well, he was awesome!!!
Same with Mel Torme on drums! I didn't even know!
Nor did I - had no idea Mel played drums!
he has some amazing albums with lester young early in his career
0:20 the way MEL skipped to the drum set, 1:07 The dexterity and fluidity of NATS genius piano skills, 1:43 Rambunctious drum solo by MEL 2:20 The husky cry of JUNES singing voice. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF JAZZ AT ITS MOST PLAYFUL AND EXPRESSIVE NATURE.
Oh, my my!
One of my favs, for sure!!
Hello Betty, How are you doing?
Typically witty, relaxed, fiercely-swinging solo from the great Cole, nice work from Torme in the chases, and a swiftly, neatly torn off vocal from the best singer to come out of the Kenton outfit whose name wasn't Anita O'Day. Ella of course would make this one of her signature tunes but June Christy, who did indeed help bring it to prominence, more than holds her own with it, and with the illustrious company. Smashing video.
Love these classic artists. And one day while watching garage squad, I couldn't help but notice a slight resemblance between Heather storm and June Christy, both very attractive women.
I love this... Amazing...
What a treat. I forgot June had such a vibrato. I usually don't like but from her it is great.
This is high and simple joy .
Mel,Nat and June together! Wow almost too good to be true!
Wow, the trio of spectaculars, all together ! Nat " King " Cole, The Velvet Fog Mel Torme ` , and The Misty Miss June Christy !
There's a lot a talent on that stage and you know they were genuinely having fun.
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 73yo Aussie fan.
Three genuine musical superstars & others---What a blast...
What a marvelous sense of humor Nat Cole had with his intro at 1:04, and trying his intro again at 1:54, of two Civil War hymn melodies. The Revolution took place anyway. Love this vid.
thank you for posting, Punisher6002. i loved it. ❤❤
Nat my high school fav and of course the love of Julie Christi ..The crush I had and when she sang the sultry voice only added to her allure + pretty girl! p.s.. did not know Mel Torme played drums.. Did see Torme in Atlanta at an outdoor spring concert years ago. Wine served on silver trays.. Piedmont Park.
A priceless moment in the history of Jazz. Gracias.
Being backed up by Piano Jazz Great and voice of crystal, Nat Cole along with the singing frog, on Drums. What a session to sit in on.
Winners of the Metronome All-Stars poll for best male and female vocal positions, Nat King Cole & June Christy recorded the extremely rare Columbia Records 78 rpm, "Nat Meets June," their only record together, this duet is more blues than jazz, making this a rare performance of 2 west coast jazz titans indeed. Capitol Records was probably more than pissed at having 2 of their top acts recording a hot single for a rival label, but Columbia had the winners poll contract with Metronome.
Great Juney!! Just great! The song is kind of a hard one to sing, actually, and she is singing just like having a pleasant talk! She is the 1st reason for my fondness of 1950s!
June was one of the most underrated jazz singers ever. There wasn’t a note or modulation she couldn’t own.
yooo what a collab
June!
I always wondered why Oscar Peterson, loved Nat's piano playing so much, and i've heard Nat play before, but not like this! and now i hear Nat's style of playing in the sounds of Oscar Peterson. Everybody incredible!
This kind of programming was on the tube every week, nearly every night when there were only 3 networks. You can't find it in 6 mos. of 100 channels today.
I did not know Mel Torme played the drums! WOW!
I loved playing this song for Jazz band in high school :)
Sheikh is right. Mel and Nat run to the instruments like boys going back to their first loves: the drum kit and the piano. They trust and like June enough to let her take the mic, so they can merge into their original instruments, where they spent many hours practicing their original craft. It's like they're letting another captain take the helm of the ship, so they can better enjoy their craft work positions, and not having to worry about driving. What a fun clip. Thanks for posting!
Nat was such a great piano player, love watching this they're all great
Wonderful singer and band!
Three tremendous talents together....great video.
Fantastic players (all 3 are certified star singers in their own right) in a wonderful performance.
A remarkable visual treat! all in the one clip!!!
Essa June Christy foi simplesmente vocalista da Orquestra de Stan Kenton . Maravilhosa . Vídeo sensacional esse dela com o Quarteto de Nat King Cole.
June Christy thrills --- Nat Cole kills ----
June Christy epitomizes the early fifties "cool jazz chick". Wow!
Can you imagine singing, with Nat King Cole and Mel Torme backing you up?
Dear responders🙂🎶,
Please pay attention to her singing "around the ritme "‼️ That INCLUDES(!) the beginning! No mistake where she's coming from! And I don't notice her being under "the influence" of anything like alcohol or such!!!
She's enormously talented! I'm sorry, but I happen to have what they call: an absolute hearing. She's not so much lucky to sing with the two gentlemen, she's in their league ‼️
God bless! 💐
Sincerly in Christ Jesus of Nazareth,✝️🌹,
A. DEE WAI.
@@a.deewai3181 Good comment! She was good at that.
That’s a powerful thought! She must’ve felt like she made it just then.
I think Mel & Nat appreciated her just as much. Very talented Jazz and big band vocalist.
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!!! Dang! This is music & REAL talent!!!!
Brilliant performance from people who we Will never see or hear again Ever Period!!!!!
So wonderful to see !
hello carol
wow what a room, filled with the greats. what happened to this kind of television
I first fell in love with her voice, now that I can see her i terribly regret not having been born before to see her singing live.
a joy ... the pleasure of singin' and playing
I think this is my favorite version of this song! I love her voice and the pace they use.
Three Great performers Together !!Love it! Her vibrato voice at the and of her phrase remind's me so much the Great Mrs Anita o' Day,Thank you so much for share this wonderful and treasure video.
Talent overload!
That is some ferocious piano playing!
Perfection. Three incredible people
This was so smoooth! Great stuff!!
I love this video. Thanks!
Three brilliant singers with multi talents .What a treat!!
That was wonderful! Never knew Mel Torme was an accomplished drummer.
This was very impromtu, and gee, these folks are professional and having some fun! Yeah, Mel could play drums and arrange he hell out of vocals, especially for trios and quartets! Ask me about Mel, I worked with him and he was a hard task master, and great human being and fun to work with! Why are folk so darned critical? Enjoy the music by some great folk who are no longer with us!
thank you thank you thank you!!! I had this on VHS when I was in highschool (my friends didn't understand - 80s headbanger, I was) and lost the tape since then. I looked for it here on RUclips a couple years ago and forgot about it...
thank you!!!
'Just brilliant.
I just read that Mel Torme was around 15yo when he played drums for the Chico Marx band
One of my all-time favorite clips!
WOW!!! 3 amazing musicians!
This video reminds us what a great pianist Nat was, and what a swinger Mel was on the trap set- killer stuff, man!!! Oh, and the most unsung guitar hero- Oscar Moore!!! WOWSA!!!!
June really had to race! Great stuff!
What a band, and I love June's singing.
Gotta love JUNE!
Mmmmm
meh .
아 이 자연스러움 재즈! 여가수 목소리 떨림이 너무 매력적이에요
My America!
i love this girl !!!!!!!!
So moving!
I am continually amazed at Mel Torme I used to think he was just a pretty good singer. Of course he was was. But, he was also a great arranger and he shows himself to be a fine drummer.
Terrific capture !
just wonderful! Her style inspires me.
You are right there!
oh boy, this takes me back
NAT was such a great piano player..
This is so very, very cool. I'm so glad I'm discovering this great stuff. Oh, man.
Excellent!