Prelude to a Kiss is a jazz standard, written in 1938 by band leader Duke Ellington (music), and Irving Gordon and Irving Mills (text). The number was performed by Ellington many times after the first performances.
According to experts, Ellington wrote the song based on a melody of saxophonist Otto Hardwick. The band leader first recorded his orchestra on August 9, 1938, for the Brunswick label. Over two weeks later, the second recording of the song, now by Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra, followed. This band was led by Ellington saxophonist Hodges and consisted of other members of Ellington's band, including the maestro himself (on piano). The vocal of this recording for Vocalion was performed by Mary McHugh, also active for Ellington. The instrumental version hit the 18th place on the American hit parade, the vocals eventually ending in the thirteenth place. In the following years, Ellington would still play and record, mostly with aloft saxophonist Johnny Hodges in the lead.
"Prelude to a Kiss", and especially the instrumental version, has developed into a jazz classic after a long time. It has been played by musicians from the entire jazz range, from mainstream musicians to the avant-garde of jazz. Some names and performances:
wiki
