Rose Room
Encyclopedia
"Rose Room", also known as "In Sunny Roseland", is a 1917 jazz standard
by Art Hickman
and Harry Williams. The name of the song's lyricist is unknown, and it is usually performed as an instrumental. Composed at a time when the popularity of ragtime
was fading in favor of thirty-two bar form and twelve-bar blues songs, the song has been called "definitely ahead of its time" by composer Alec Wilder
. Indeed, the song enjoyed its biggest popularity during the swing era
. The song was named after the Rose Room in St. Francis Hotel
, where Hickman was playing at the time.
Duke Ellington
is credited in popularizing the tune with his 1932 recording. Ellington later used the song's chord progression
in his 1939 composition "In a Mellow Tone
". Rose Room is also the song with which Charlie Christian
impressed Benny Goodman
in 1939, jamming it solo after solo for 45 minutes with Goodman's band.
Modern Swing Group, Leader: John Kongshaug recorded a version in Oslo on December 6, 1954. It was released on the 78 rpm record His Master's Voice A.L. 3489.
Bandleader Phil Harris used "Rose Room" as his theme song while performing in San Francisco. The Lawrence Welk Orchestra/Show made a rendition with "Peanuts" Hucko on clarinet. The show in question pays tribute to Roses.
Jazz standard
Jazz standards are musical compositions which are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive list of jazz standards, and the list of songs deemed to be...
by Art Hickman
Art Hickman
Arthur G. Hickman was a drummer, pianist, and band leader whose orchestra is sometimes seen as an ancestor to Big band music. It fits into what are termed "sweet bands", something like that of Paul Whiteman. His orchestra is also credited, perhaps dubiously, with being among the first jazz bands....
and Harry Williams. The name of the song's lyricist is unknown, and it is usually performed as an instrumental. Composed at a time when the popularity of ragtime
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
was fading in favor of thirty-two bar form and twelve-bar blues songs, the song has been called "definitely ahead of its time" by composer Alec Wilder
Alec Wilder
Alec Wilder was an American composer.-Biography:...
. Indeed, the song enjoyed its biggest popularity during the swing era
Swing Era
The Swing era was the period of time when big band swing music was the most popular music in the United States. Though the music had been around since the late 1920s and early 1930s, being played by black bands led by such artists as Duke Ellington, Jimmie Lunceford, Benny Moten, Ella Fitzgerald,...
. The song was named after the Rose Room in St. Francis Hotel
St. Francis Hotel
The Westin St. Francis is a historic luxury hotel located on Powell and Geary Streets on Union Square in San Francisco, California. The two twelve-story south wings of the hotel were built just before the San Francisco Earthquake, in 1904, and the double-width north wing was completed in 1913,...
, where Hickman was playing at the time.
Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
is credited in popularizing the tune with his 1932 recording. Ellington later used the song's chord progression
Chord progression
A chord progression is a series of musical chords, or chord changes that "aims for a definite goal" of establishing a tonality founded on a key, root or tonic chord. In other words, the succession of root relationships...
in his 1939 composition "In a Mellow Tone
In a Mellow Tone
"In a Mellow Tone", also known as "In a Mellotone", is a 1939 jazz standard composed by Duke Ellington, with lyrics written by Milt Gabler. The song was based on the 1917 standard "Rose Room" by Art Hickman and Harry Williams...
". Rose Room is also the song with which Charlie Christian
Charlie Christian
Charles Henry "Charlie" Christian was an American swing and jazz guitarist.Christian was an important early performer on the electric guitar, and is cited as a key figure in the development of bebop and cool jazz. He gained national exposure as a member of the Benny Goodman Sextet and Orchestra...
impressed Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
in 1939, jamming it solo after solo for 45 minutes with Goodman's band.
Modern Swing Group, Leader: John Kongshaug recorded a version in Oslo on December 6, 1954. It was released on the 78 rpm record His Master's Voice A.L. 3489.
Bandleader Phil Harris used "Rose Room" as his theme song while performing in San Francisco. The Lawrence Welk Orchestra/Show made a rendition with "Peanuts" Hucko on clarinet. The show in question pays tribute to Roses.