SUMMERTIME (George Gershwin) by Gunhild Carling at Fritzel's Jazz Pub, New Orleans 04/22/26

Gunhild Carling (vocals, trumpet and trombone) Kevin Ray Clark (trumpet) John Royen (piano) “Summertime” is a 1935 song composed by George Gershwin with lyrics by DuBose Heyward (and an additional lyric contribution by Ira Gershwin) for the opera Porgy and Bess. Written as a lullaby for the character Clara, the piece blends elements of African American spirituals with blues-inflected harmony.Its stylistic authenticity contributed to its rapid acceptance into both classical and jazz repertoires. Following the opera’s premiere, “Summertime” quickly became a standard, with early recordings by artists such as Billie Holiday helping to establish its jazz credentials. Over time it has been recorded thousands of times across genres, from straight-ahead jazz to rock, pop, and even classical crossover, making it one of the most covered songs of the 20th century. Among the most influential versions are those by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong (a 1958 duet), Miles Davis (1958), Janis Joplin (1968), and Nina Simone. In popular culture, “Summertime” functions as both a jazz standard and a broader cultural touchstone. It is frequently used in film, television, and advertising to evoke mood—often nostalgia, languor, or a sense of Southern atmosphere, with an enduring presence in conservatory training, jam sessions, and crossover performances. Lyrics: Summertime and the livin' is easy Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good-lookin' So hush little baby, don't you cry One of these mornings You're gonna rise up singing Yes you'll spread your wings And you'll take to the sky But 'til that morning There ain't nothin' can harm you With Daddy and Mammy standin' by Summertime, and the livin' is easy Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good-lookin' So hush little baby, don't you cry Oh don't you cry Oh don't you cry Don't you cry Oh don't you cry