MUSIC
I recently had the pleasure and honor of sitting in on a jam session hosted by Kendrick Smith—one of St. Louis’s finest musicians and a true saxophone virtuoso—at The Blue Strawberry. It was a beautiful evening filled with spontaneity, swing, and soulful connection.
Here’s a short clip of the jazz classic, “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”
First popularized by Frank Sinatra with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” is a tender ballad from 1940 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. With its dreamy melody and romantic lyrics, the song tells the story of a shy soul finding love under a moonlit sky—a timeless jazz standard full of warmth and elegance.
* Arrika Brazill, Vocals | Roger Wilder, Piano
* Arrika Brazill, Vocals | Roger Wilder, Piano
Written in 1926 for the Broadway musical Betty Co-Ed, “After You Get What You Want (You Don’t Want It)” is a clever and slightly cynical tune by Irving Berlin. With his signature wit and charm, Berlin explores the irony of human nature—how we often chase what we desire, only to lose interest once we finally attain it.
A playful 1945 jazz standard by Joe Ricardel and Redd Evans, “The Frim Fram Sauce” was popularized by Nat King Cole. With its whimsical lyrics and laid-back swing, the song humorously imagines someone ordering a made-up dish full of nonsense ingredients—perfectly capturing the lighthearted spirit of post-WWII jazz.
* Arrika Brazill, Vocals | Roger Wilder, Piano
* Arrika Brazill, Piano & Vocals - One take. Live. Just me and the piano.
Recorded by Jo Stafford in 1952, “You Belong to Me” became one of her most iconic hits and a timeless ballad of the era. Originally written by Chilton Price and later adapted by Pee Wee King and Redd Stewart, the song captures the romance and longing of distant love, with evocative lyrics referencing faraway places like the pyramids and jungle skies. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts, cementing its place as a classic of the early 1950s.