The session's middle piece brings Billy Strayhorn's lush ballad at 79 BPM, with only Calderazzo soloing ā a half-chorus piano statement over the 32-bar AABA form. Elling sits out the solo section, and the nearly five-minute performance suggests a reading focused on Strayhorn's melody and Elling's vocal interpretation rather than extended improvisation. Strayhorn composed the piece in 1940 with shared credits going to Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges, and its dreamy, introspective quality has made it one of the most beautiful ballads in the jazz repertoire. The duo format strips the piece to its essence ā voice and piano alone, with no bass or drums to anchor the pulse ā allowing for rubato passages and intimate dynamic shadings. Positioned between the upbeat opener and the driving Monk blues that closes the session, this ballad provides the program's most contemplative moment.
