“All of Me” – Billie Holiday (1941)

From Lady Day’s first recording session with pianist Eddie Heywood’s band in 1941: The definitive version of the song “All of Me”, written in 1931 by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons.

A near-perfect recording, with a gorgeous accompaniment featuring Lester Young and a young Kenny Clarke that attains its own jewel-like sheen while fully ceding center stage to Holiday, whose vocal performance is a master class in and of itself.

The tune was originally recorded by Paul Whiteman (with Mildred Bailey on vocals), Louis Armstrong, and Nick Lucas in 1932. I think it’s fair to say it was Billie Holiday who really put this song on the map and firmly established it as a jazz standard and audience favorite.

Recorded in New York City on March 21, 1941.
Released as Okeh 6214.

Credits:
Billie Holiday – vocals
Accompanied by Eddie Heywood and his Orchestra:
Shad Collins – trumpet
Leslie Johnakins, Eddie Barefield – alto sax
Lester Young – tenor sax
Eddie Heywood – piano
John Collins – guitar
Ted Sturgis – string bass
Kenny Clarke – drums