"Lush Life" is a jazz standard with lyrics and music written by Billy Strayhorn from 1933 to 1938. The song describes the author's weariness of the night life after a failed romance, wasting time with "jazz and cocktails" and in the company of girls with "sad and sullen gray faces". Strayhorn was only 16 when he wrote the majority of the song, which was to become his signature. Jazz standard refers to a tune that is widely known, performed, and recorded among jazz musicians. ... Billy Strayhorn, photographed by Carl Van Vechten on 14. ...

One of the most notable recordings of "Lush Life" was by Nat King Cole. John Coltrane also recorded it at least twice, once in 1958 as the title track of an album for Prestige Records, and again in 1963 with his "classic quartet" and Johnny Hartman singing. (The Johnny Hartman version is considered definitive. The earlier version was 14 minutes long. Nathaniel Adams Coles, known professionally as Nat King Cole (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965) was a popular American singer, songwriter, and jazz pianist. ... John William Coltrane (September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967), nicknamed Trane, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. ... Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Prestige Records was a record label founded in 1949 by Bob Weinstock (October 2, 1928–January 14, 2006). ... Johnny Hartman (1923-1983), a jazz singer who is remembered for his smooth performances of jazz ballads, is best known for his work with John Coltrane. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ...

External links

• The song's entry at jazzstandards.com