Chad Lefkowitz-Brown's rendition of "What Is This Thing Called Love" appears on his Standard Sessions project, released in 2018. The Cole Porter classic, originally composed in 1929, receives an up-tempo swing treatment at roughly 245 BPM, placing it firmly in the bebop tradition of blazing through Great American Songbook standards. Lefkowitz-Brown, a New York-based tenor saxophonist known for his technical command and YouTube presence, navigates the 32-bar AABA form in the key of C across four improvised choruses, demonstrating the fluency and rhythmic precision that have made him one of the most-watched jazz musicians on social media. Pianist Victor Gould follows with three choruses of his own, pushing the tempo slightly to 255 BPM while maintaining the harmonic sophistication the tune demands. The recording showcases the kind of brisk, conversational interplay that defines Lefkowitz-Brown's approach to standards, combining a deep respect for the jazz tradition with a contemporary sensibility. The tune's circle-of-fifths bridge section has long been a proving ground for improvisers, and both soloists here rise to the challenge with inventive melodic lines and assured rhythmic command.
