Fred Hersch plays “After You’ve Gone”, by Turner Layton and Henry Creamer (1918)

During his solo set at the Stadtcasino Basel this evening, pianist Fred Hersch played what he called "the oldest standard I know": "After You've Gone", from 1918. It was written by Turner Layton and Henry Creamer, an African-American songwriting duo, and first recorded by white American singer Marion Harris. I have three versions in my music collection, by Benny Goodman (1935), the Quintette du Hot Club de France (1937, in a compilation of Django Reinhardt music), and Sidney Bechet (1943). Hersch's performance fit beautifully into his wide-ranging set, and with it, he took the opportunity to pull out some stride-piano chops just before returning to the melody to finish the tune. (Andrew Shields, #111Words, 21 May 2024)