Century Songs

Someday Songs Music LLC
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Music Interviews
  • Updated Weekly

New performances and chat about Jazz and Great American Songbook Standards in the Public Domain. Special focus on the role of Central Indiana creators, entrepreneurs and institutions in the development and propagation of Jazz and Popular Music in the early 20th Century.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    What You Don't Know About "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise"

    In Episode 6, we trace the remarkable transformation of "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise" — from a 1928 Broadway operetta tango into a cornerstone of modern jazz. Saxophonist Rich Cohen joins us to share gig stories and musical influences, then Eric Baker faces our three-question quiz covering the song's origins in Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein II's The New Moon, its surprisingly dark original lyrics, Artie Shaw's swing-era reinvention, and John Coltrane's 1961 soprano sax masterpiece that made it a bebop rite of passage. Plus, a rarely-heard Bing Crosby tango recording. Century Songs is a podcast about American standards in the public domain. Hosted by David Poncé and Eric Baker. New episodes are available each week at centurysongs.com.

    What You Don't Know About "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise"

  2. Sep 28

    What You Don't Know About "Back Home Again in Indiana"

    Century Songs — Episode 5: What You Don't Know About Back Home Again in Indiana In this episode of Century Songs, hosts Eric Baker and David Poncé explore the surprising history behind "Back Home Again in Indiana" — a song with "borrowed" melodies and lyrics, a bebop rebirth, and a legendary home at the Indy 500. Special guest Dr. Shawn O'Connor joins the show to share gig stories, discuss her journey from aspiring doctor to jazz educator, and introduce Boss Pitches, one of Indiana's first-ever all-women big bands. Then, Eric faces a three-question quiz covering the song's original title, its Hoosier-born composer James F. Hanley, and the Charlie Parker contrafact "Donna Lee" that brought the tune into the bebop era. The episode closes with the song's deep ties to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway — from James Melton's 1946 reopening performance to Jim Nabors' decades-long tradition — plus upcoming show highlights from Feinstein's and The Jazz Kitchen. Recorded at The Jazz Kitchen, Indianapolis, Indiana.

    What You Don't Know About "Back Home Again in Indiana"

  3. Sep 21

    What You Don't Know About "Blue Skies"

    On a cold December night in 1926, a Broadway producer and leading lady secretly inserted a rival composer's song into Rodgers and Hart's new musical — and the audience went so wild they stopped the show with 24 encores. That song was "Blue Skies" by Irving Berlin, and the backstage betrayal behind it is just the beginning of the story. This week on Century Songs, co-host and musician Eric Baker joins the show to talk about his musical journey — from singing in church at age four, to discovering Nat King Cole and Harry Connick Jr. on vinyl, to building School of Rock franchises in Indiana and performing regularly at Feinstein's. Plus, Eric faces the "What You Don't Know About Blue Skies" quiz: Was the song really a lullaby? How did it end up in the first talking film? And who actually stood up to sing that final encore when Belle Baker forgot the words? Featuring a live performance of "Blue Skies" by the Century Songs house band with Eric Baker and Shawn O'Connor.

    What You Don't Know About "Blue Skies"

  4. Sep 14

    What You Don't Know About "After You've Gone"

    This week on Century Songs, we explore the 1918 standard "After You've Gone" — written by the pioneering Black songwriting duo Turner Layton and Henry Creamer, and immortalized by Vaudeville superstar Sophie Tucker. We sit down with educator and musician Oliver Nelson Jr. to discuss his father's remarkable legacy as a composer and arranger (from Blues and the Abstract Truth to The Six Million Dollar Man), the realities of making a living as a musician today, and the magic of the Indianapolis Monday jam scene. Then, Eric faces the three-question quiz on the song's hidden history, we dig into Ella Fitzgerald's second lyric, and we preview the upcoming 2026 Indy Jazz Fest. Next week: "Blue Skies." Show notes & more: centurysongs.com. Chapters0:00 - Introduction6:22 - Interview: Oliver Nelson Jr.21:03 - Three-Question Quiz: "After You've Gone"23:07 - Q1: Tin Pan Alley Pioneers24:29 - Q2: Sophie Tucker25:53 - Q3: The 20-Bar Chorus29:25 - Ella Fitzgerald's Hidden Second Lyric30:48 - Indy Jazz Fest Preview33:25 - Next Episode: Blue Skies33:54 - Credits

    What You Don't Know About "After You've Gone"

  5. Sep 7

    What You Don't Know About "Love for Sale"

    Century Songs — Episode 2: What You Don’t Know About Love for Sale   In 1930, Broadway critics were scandalized by a white actress portraying a streetwalker in Cole Porter’s The New Yorkers. When producers moved the scene to Harlem and recast it with a Black singer, those same critics applauded. This week, we dig into the double standards, radio bans, and genius behind one of Cole Porter’s most controversial songs.   Indianapolis jazz vocalist Sandy Lomax performs “Love for Sale” and shares stories from her career — a Wayne Newton phone mix-up, her six-year residency in the Cole Porter Room, and advice for young singers brave enough to step up to a jam. Then Eric faces the three-question quiz.   Featuring: Sandy Lomax with Kevin Anker, Fred Withrow, and Mike Kessler   Hosts: David Poncé and Eric Baker   Chapters: 0:00 — Intro 1:01 — Sandy Lomax performs “Love for Sale” 7:21 — Interview with Sandy Lomax 20:12 — The “What You Don’t Know” Quiz 25:24 — Cole Porter’s least favorite song 28:40 — Indy Jazz Fest + upcoming shows 31:38 — Outro   Links: Show notes & Sandy Lomax info: centurysongs.com Indie Jazz Fest tickets: indyjazzfest.net Rob Dixon — Naptown Soul: robdixon.bandcamp.com/album/naptown-soul   Next week: Oliver Nelson plays “After You’ve Gone”   Century Songs podcast. Copyright 2026 Someday Songs Music LLC. All rights reserved.

    What You Don't Know About "Love for Sale"

  6. Aug 28

    What You Don't Know About "Stardust"

    Explore the origins, legacy, and enduring magic of "Stardust," written by Indiana native Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics by Mitchell Parish. Plus, Jazz Kitchen owner David Allee joins us to discuss the 2026 Indy Jazz Fest and the 30+ year history of Indy's famous Monday Night Jam Sessions. Chapters: 00:00 - Stardust Origins Tease 00:34 - Stardust Theme Intro 00:56 - Stardust Performance Clip 05:35 - Meet Jazz Kitchen Owner 06:15 - Indy Jazz Fest Plans 07:50 - Monday Jam Session Mission 09:37 - Building a Jazz Community 12:57 - David Allee Backstory 14:46 - A Monday Jam Anecdote 17:38 - Indy Jazz Fest Highlights 19:05 - Three Question Stardust Quiz 20:12 - Myths Behind Stardust 24:45 - Hoagy Pop Culture Fame 27:46 - Eric Baker Slow Burn 29:40 - Wrap Up and Credits Creators & Guests David Poncé - Host David Allee - Guest Shawn O'Connor - Guest Mike Kessler - Composer Fred Withrow - Composer Eric Baker - Host Kevin Anker - Composer

    What You Don't Know About "Stardust"
  • 6 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

New performances and chat about Jazz and Great American Songbook Standards in the Public Domain. Special focus on the role of Central Indiana creators, entrepreneurs and institutions in the development and propagation of Jazz and Popular Music in the early 20th Century.

Information

  • Creator
    Someday Songs Music LLC
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©2026 Someday Songs Music LLC
  • Show Website
    Century Songs

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