The Four Freshmen--Early Autumn

The Four Freshmen and the Brooks Tegler's Big Band with "Early Autumn." The 5 Trombonist are: Doug Elliott, John Jensen, Bernie Robier, Jay Gibble and Milton Aldana. Tape at the FF Society Convention, Annapolis, MD. Aug. 2010.
Keep the "FF Sound" alive! Join the FF Society--www.fourfreshmensociety.com

[@jerrywilson-reflections1685]

This group of Four Freshmen are the best to follow the original Freshmen. Pure musicalbeauty all the way. Thanks.

[@DavidMScott-cs8pp]

Many thanks Dan as your videos not only kept this wonderful group available for all we fans.. i'm 82 and watch weekly. And, the picture and sound are superb.

[@johnheard2871]

I never thought I’d hear the likes of the Freshmen again, but these guys have it. What a joy; takes me back to college days in the ‘50s.

[@bettygrimm7088]

Sounds just like "them"!!!! Beautiful!!!

[@nerkahiawaalli]

Been listening to the Four Freshmen since high school in the 1950s...best vocal group ever in my opinion. Love the close harmony.

[@jeanmasonmcmahon2515]

I love this group and have for years!!!

[@revniw1]

I've been listening to the Freshmen, thanks to my friends - the Wright family, for sixty plus years and the replacements have the same harmonious sound that I fell in love with as a young boy.

[@madelinewelsing4351]

Gorgeous song beautifully performed. Thank you.

[@tobias132]

This is the best thing ever 😍

[@StripeRich]

Trombones, more than any other instrumentation, have ever been the perfect complement to FF harmonies. (A fan since the original four.)

[@williammattos9158]

I love this song so much!!!...

[@1sweetalaskan]

Wow! That was gorgeous! And they sound so much like the original Four Freshmen.

[@wot4192]

It's 2020 and this song truly is relevant even to this day. Beautiful

[@ghibliinu6616]

And in 2022!

[@kristypilip1971]

@@ghibliinu6616 and 2023 :)

[@mjleger4555]

What talent and style this group had, no matter which performers were in it, the harmony is just incredible, and chords, sensational in vocal tone. I can't get enough of this group, never could! And the trombones in this song, are sensational!

[@steveguinn3156]

What a rush! I used to start a gig with Early Autum. 85 now, this helps to relive. There is a magic to these guys. Back to the Kenton days. Steve Guinn

[@jeanmasonmcmahon2515]

Love you guys your great!!!

[@mattdaugherty7865]

Incredible, i never realized "The Four Freshmen" were a continual group! They are amazing and sound so much like the original recording that I'm used to! Very nice!

[@annamarieorchulli2954]

Best quartet ever!

[@leilaward8723]

I became a permanent fan at 8 years old, now 72, love the harmony, as complex as a Bach Fugue

[@annalisa14]

Leila Ward - finally. A comment worth mentioning.

[@cliffeck6104]

Group 24 - Exactly! May God allow them many years together.

[@dickjanetavery8622]

Simply beautiful!

[@basiaon20]

As I have said for the past 50 yrs., there is no better jazz inspired vocal harmonies in this world. They are the teachers and we are the very, very lucky listeners and students. They will continue on as long as there are those who appreciate the sound and their extreme brilliance in blending voices...

[@dutchguy7299]

Well, then you've maybe never heared Take6 before.. if not, you're in for a treat after those 50 years. Though they both excel in their own respect and areas ofcourse.. but if you say best in the world, then its worth mentioning Take6, as I've never heared a vocal group that tight.. also tight as a group, for 30 years at least, for the core members

[@bernardhardin580]

Lovethefourfreshmen

[@StripeRich]

Cannot beat those descending chromatics for evoking melancholy. What a melody, artfully interpreted.

[@jeanmasonmcmahon2515]

Love this group and their songs so dreamy!!!

[@Pineapple9]

Just saw these gentlemen in Newport Beach at the Balboa Bay Club. Great show, great location - they on a stage with the harbor full of beautiful yachts moored behind them, just a few feet from where they were singing. We, the audience sat out on a lawn setting. Unforgettable. I will definitely do it again.

[@tonioarango5078]

Just lovely!! Great voices and great musicians. Applause from Berlin/Germany

[@tomfinland9572]

Nothing more gorgeous than the harmonizing of the human voice... great job and "almost" as good as the original Freshmen... wink wink A+A+A+A+A+

[@Gigmeister1]

One of the greatest vocal groups ever! An immense influence on Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.

[@jpnight7503]

What awesome harmony..thanks brian w. For alerting me to these guys! I can listen to them over and over..

[@lenboshoff8633]

Love early autumn. inspired compoition and performance. Remember Stan Getz, Woody Herman, Ralph Burns.

[@DebdenJohnny]

Len Boshoff don’t forget Johnny Mercer who wrote the lyrics!

[@tomdehm6101]

My favorite quartet back in the day.

[@DerekDtj]

Not only is it Group 22, but I believe that this is my all time favorite song by the Frosh. Close your eyes and imagine the sound of Stan Kenton's brass and trombone section, the years just seem to melt away to a fonder, gentler and happier time in the U.S. when we had just SO many types of really good music to enjoy. From my first FF concert at Castle Gardens in Cincinnati in the mid-50s, we still go to see the guys whenever they're anywhere near by!

[@CAAJDJ]

This makes me so warm inside..!!

[@pipersnakis]

A superb version of an extremely difficult set of harmonies! To sing this close harmonically speaking is daunting...these guys have super ears and are well disciplined. Loved this piece!

[@MikeWilliamsonMusic]

Flannigan is smiling "upstairs" when he hears this.....excellent.

[@miriambrougher438]

Wow, have never heard any of the groups I have seen over the years sing this. This is gorgeous!

[@warnerbeachful]

This is much better than my Elvis collection.

[@JerriBerriBoBerri]

Delicious! Autumn memories flood my soul.

[@y34r]

so sophisticated ,yet so soothing to an ear

[@Rayvontae]

Absolutely AWESOME!!!

[@derekdetjen1529]

First saw them in Cincinnati in the late '50s. Then on Guam in the '60s and then recently at Newberry, SC earlier this year. What a great Kenton/trombone sound on this one. One of their best arrangements, proof of Bob Flanagan's intro that the current Frosh are in fact, the best ever. Their camaraderie and obvious enjoyment of what wonderful melodies they are singing is unmatchable. All fans should join The Four Freshmen Society!

[@MrRezillo]

Incredible; both the voices and the bones!

[@charlesmoore766]

Just fabulous..!! Close your eyes, recline and let their incredible sound envelope you

[@fasbc]

It doesn't get any better than this!

[@zanadu4]

Super sound, Four Freshmen alive and well, thank God. A great Mercer tune too.

[@donaldgirard7162]

+Joe Pepe Le Tigre, thanks to Woody and Ralph burns

[@davidreidenberg9941]

Their use of rootless extended harmonies is way beyond any contemporary vocal group, now or then.

[@leilaward8723]

Lucky me,saw them live in Kelowna BC at the High School Interior Jazz fest.

[@annalisa14]

David Reidenberg - beyond ???? How about just jazzy sophisticated.

[@dggd]

Wonderful...I love this tune by nearly everyone that sings it. It's just one of those tunes written ever so lovely.

[@topazioazulazul]

Oh my God!! how beautiful................. I adore them, the song, the lyrics, the music wow!!! Congratulations.. My kind of music..... thank you for sharing..

[@donaldgirard7162]

My favorite Woody and friends Stan Etc.

[@donaldgirard7162]

Also Ralph Burns,and Serge Chaloff

[@johanveify]

Beach boy

[@wilgojr1]

Thanks, Dan, for all of these wonderful FF tunes. You are the best! Cheers, BG, FL.

[@nolawest5183]

Makes me cry!! I Miss You Daddy Doe!!! I Pray You'll Meet 'The Freshmen' In Heaven....."Sweet Dreams" ~ My Sweet And Adorable Dad! ~ peace

[@MrRichiekaye]

That's great quartet singing!

[@waynejones205]

ALWAYS happy as a past Trombonist to see this Instrument is still alive!! Albeit in TASTEFUL M-U-S-I-C!

[@Alex-ue8li]

Phenomenal!

[@mike48877]

Just Beautiful !!!

[@lillym.1612]

*･゜ﾟ･*:.｡..｡.:*･lyrics･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･* When an early autumn walks the land and chills the breeze And touches with her hand the summer trees Perhaps you'll understand what memories I own There's a dance pavilion, all shuttered down A winding country lane, all russet brown A frosty windowpane shows me a town grown lonely That spring of ours that started, so April-hearted Seemed made for just a boy and girl I never dreamed, did you, any fall could come in view So early, early Darling, if you care, please let me know I'll meet you anywhere, I miss you so Let's never have to share another early autumn

[@larrymorgan3215]

absolutely beautiful

[@JerriBerriBoBerri]

When an early autumn walks the land...❤️

[@r4b32t11]

OH MY GOD where are these boys This song is sooo romantic, I wore out my vinyl copy of Woody Herman playing this. These guys are HOT.

[@Swingguido]

I must agree, this is perfection !

[@gdscotjazz]

Love it !! ... and them !!

[@jeanmasonmcmahon2515]

Are they still performing they are so good 👍 😍

[@francessiddique8518]

This is absolutely stunning! Kudos to these young musicians! The American canon of music rests on the shoulders of the next generation!

[@bobparker1595]

Mel Torme has a great recording of Early Autumn also.

[@BrianGValentine]

I believe the passage for trombones was transposed from a version by band leader, Felix Slatkin.

[@coostunes9733]

To quote Frank Sinatra, "Now that's singin', boy!"

[@imaginarylpjerrywilson1058]

This follow up group with Brian Ichenberger on top were the best after the original group.

[@lylecosmopolite]

Details of the trombone arrangement bring to mind the first version of this song, an instrumental by Woody Herman's band (Stan Getz did the sax solo). This is one awesome ballad. Ralph Burns, who helped compose it, went on to a great career in film, stage, and elsewhere.

[@johnbrackett5818]

This is super! They sound just like the originals. Great song!

[@aklemmer8936]

Closest to originals

[@jamesmartin279]

The vocal voicings are precise..like the pedals of a rose falling into that altered and inexpressable declaration of his love for her in the one chord....four freshman essence

[@eanogmus]

Beautiful singing and playing! Note the the bass trombone solo (at 2:50) by Milton Aldana - fine sonority and a nice improvization in low register!!

[@davidkapral]

I believe the instrumental melody comes from Anita O’Day Sings the Winners. The melody was also used in a vocal version by the New York Voices. You may have discovered this already, given this comment is from 7 years ago- just thought I’d provide some more listening

[@cynthiahawkins2389]

I grew up listening to these amazing guys. Also the Hi Los. They were the founding fathers...followed by Anita Kerr, and Singers Unlimited...(Yes, yes, I know: Lambert Hendricks and Ross well worth mention - they just took it in a different direction) But using the voice as a musical instrument evolved to a fine art with groups like this....

[@fasbc]

I love these guys!

[@BlakeGildaphish76]

i am melting!!!

[@jwbmw6084]

This is one of my favorites, I also love the King Sisters version.

[@bernardomedina5943]

Exquisite beautiful music! No cursing, fake talent, or auto-tune needed.....

[@sergiopolo-yc2qe]

From Spain.....dont KNOW why i LOVE THIS SONGSS.....Guess IM feelin as nostalgic.....cause IM VERY NOSTALGICC..........LOVE american classics .......from 50s NEVER Been to USA..... greetinngs from Spain

[@Nuance5]

The intro and tag are from "A Faded Summer Love", w&m by Phil Baxter (1931). What a great job on a notoriously difficult tune - These guys have fantastic ears!

[@francosavadori7292]

If you think this music is out of time or ugly, you can choose something else. There are tons of shitty music around. The matter is not to be trendy or not...The matter is about the capacity of singing well or not. These guys are sublime. They can sing and they know perfectly how to harmonize at best a difficult track such as this. This is important.

[@leilaward8723]

Agreed !! I've been a fan form age 8 to now at 72. Like I wear what I like, not what is in style, the FF new groups ooze respect for the originals, Bob Flanigan, Ross Barbour, Bill Comstock and Ken Albers on my vinyl LP, what happened to Don Barbour?

[@ljliljohn]

Lyrics by Johnny Mercer; originally the last part (of three) of a piece by Ralph Burns called 'Summer Sequence' and recorded by Woody Herman. I have it on the Columbia (budget) Harmony label lp called, appropriately, 'Summer Sequence'. It was then issued as the classic version with Stan Getz. Jo Stafford has a fine vocal version, as does Billy Eckstine. I also have a later Woody Herman version where he (Woody) does the vocal. That's guts, man.

[@aklemmer8936]

Eckstine's version super romantic

[@babsmusic]

Lovely

[@bluejazz44]

Superb!

[@jeanmasonmcmahon2515]

Love!Love!Love!

[@genepotts9426]

Best ever,will never be matched

[@haroldclosz242]

At age noinety I still love these guy and always will -"H" They keep me alive

[@leilaward8723]

Me too, big fan from age 8 now 72

[@gotcha1737]

at age 82! used to search for these guys on BBC radio in England !MAGIC MELODIES!

[@robertmccombe7734]

they are real good but the original guys are great don't get me wrong , but it's hard to replace any original

[@leilaward8723]

So glad to hear these tunes with stereo, monaural was not quite as happy an experience ( recalling good old 78 RPM and LP's. I have excellent speakers on my computer, thanks to a wise daughter

[@anafrazier]

Love it

[@spyrdol]

superb!!!

[@MrJazzologist1]

Laugh your socks off - but to me these guys harmonized like no other group, even the Beatles. Sophisticated and simply pleasing to my petal-like.

[@johnphillips64]

+John Perks How you can speak of the beatles in the same sentence as the four freshmen is simply ridiculous!

[@MrJazzologist1]

+John Phillips Actually, you're right. The Four Freshmen were into the wonderful world of jazz, whereas the Beatles were popular bling.

[@johnphillips64]

So Right!

[@MrJazzologist1]

+John Phillips Cheers, John.

[@MrJazzologist1]

"Music today". A joke on legs. The lowest possible denominator. Technology soars, but emotional depths shrink in direct proportion. Sad.

[@joemidler7508]

fOR kATHERINE; i KOW YOU LOVED THIS SONG AND THIS VERSION.

[@theodoregreiner4066]

WOW! This is Wonderful. Ted Greiner

[@davidbrucepatterson6978]

Hail to the Freshmen and Ralph Burns!

[@alfredoremus4409]

Inolvidables por mi four freshmen

[@beyourownforceofnature7291]

"Swoon, Swoon!"♥️💫

[@wendy7776]

The Beatles were one of the best bands in the world , and they sang some very basic harmony parts , The Four Freshmen vocally and harmony wise are light years past most band personnel from the 50s till now that includes people like Queen, Toto etc ,if you understand and love harmony you can appreciate a two part harmony like Eight days a week ,Five part like Africa, or the Four Freshmen singing anything at all , these are four Guys musicaly and vocaly ahead of most musical groups or bands.

[@annalisa14]

wendy rain \ they’re singing jazz, Wendy. It’s much different than other music.

[@takejikado5394]

歴代のフォーフレッシュメンの中でもこのメンバーは1、2かと思います。

[@달팽이-o1i]

真実の

[@annalisa14]

Would very much like to meet some men with the sensitivity of these guys. Look at their hand gestures....

[@darrellhendricks4778]

This was the best group of the 4 Frosh since the originals. The replacements just don't sound as harmonic. Lo siento much.

[@topazioazulazul]

I can not believe the thumbs down :( I guess some people don't appreciate beautiful music... Oh well..shame

[@dickunderwood4246]

+topazioazul azul If you don't like this you must be a f'ing country lover!!!!!

[@mensb1936]

how do they harmonize so well with delay thru mics id get confused

[@2thGuy123]

Group 22. None better.