June Christy sings Something Cool, live, 1959

[@1035heb]

My Mother was a teen in the '50s and she met June in a record store appearance. The owner told June, "She's one of your biggest fans" and my Mom just froze speechless. Lol. I still have the autograph she signed to my Mom.

[@6tttchik]

Thanks for sharing such a warm and intimate memory

[@markschildberg1667]

She may be the most underrated of the women who sang jazz. Breathtaking.

[@nicholasgilman9398]

I agree!

[@patrickpendergast9251]

Can’t argue that.

[@derrickclark7392]

Seriously underrated 💯

[@bluelips501]

Did this make anyone else cry?? I’m 23 but hearing music like this i feel like I’m being brought back in time of the 60s and it’s just so beautiful. 🥺❤️

[@jerrera45]

Yes, I'm almost 80 and this can still bring a tear to my eye. Oh how I miss those days.

[@PunchBuggyDreams]

Me too. I was three years old when she sang this song.

[@markschildberg1667]

It's such a brilliant song. A one-act play set to music.

[@jimolsen3028]

I worked as a bartender at the Otter Crest Jazz Festival (Oregon) in 1985 and a woman came to my bar and ordered a Stoli tonic. She had two fast and ordered a third when a man told me no more, that Ms. Christie was going to sing as a surprise guest. Here was an aging heavy drinking lady on the backside of her life, and she sang this: Something Cool. Life imitating art imitating life. She brought down the house (300 ppl.)!!! It was unbelievably bittersweet.

[@mhess427]

Alcoholism is so sad.

[@fuzzy123238]

Love this story. Thank you for sharing

[@califcamper]

Yea it is what it is, life is sad man, how many times did Sinatra roll thru a performance with many more than 3 drinks by the end of the night. He and she lived their lives, alot more than most even withsome issues...

[@Toppercat]

What an amazing story...there was a club in Burbank, Ca. I was a barfly at..The Misty Miss Christy was sitting at the bar while her husband Bob Cooper was playing. She was so quiet..just sitting alone having a few...

[@Lightningslick]

That must have been something. I envy you. God bless.

[@6tttchik]

I hope this never gets removed from KZbin as it's so unique and June is so lovely in this piece. The setting with a bunch of people around a piano player singing a song like that is better than listening to a spritzed-up version.

[@HFritzson]

A time capsule. She is superb.

[@ellisonallcock2645]

It doesn't matter how many times you've heard this song before - Seeing this clip is like peering through time and witnessing something intimate, special and precious. Miss Christy looks so vulnerable it is heart wrenching. Her voice echoes that vulnerability and yet is still so exquisitely in her control, so understated, so devastating. Thank heavens this clip has survived, and thanks MexicoCityFood for this glimpse into a time when Goddesses walked among us.

[@6tttchik]

That's beautifully written. Great observation. Thanks for that comment. I was looking for what draws you to her and its that ying and yang of her vulnerability and her control. So right on!

[@lcozzarelli]

so well said. you may also enjoy the priceless clip of beverly kenney singing for hugh hefner as he bores holes in her with his eyes. She was an outstanding singer who met a tragic early end.

[@johnliddell7584]

@@6tttchik .. Exactly my thoughts about our so sadly missed June, such a warm, talented, lyric-respecting singer, yet also so heart-achingly vulnerable, with no affectation or pretention .. Just a lovely song loving woman with a deceptively simple, open-hearted human singing style .. I feel sorry for today's bash-bash, rap and 'ip-op-sodden young 'music'(??)-fan youth... :'o(( ....!!

[@Boddissatva]

Must admit this rocked my world.

[@nicholasgilman7365]

It's astoundingly good

[@SKarlsson]

Wasn't she such a gem.

[@eyecomeinpeace2707]

Big time my friend. Big time.

[@jasbegs1258]

One of my fav jazz songs- love June. Love "the cool school" - June, Anita O'Day and Chris Conor.

[@allanbirmantas1695]

Even without a big band back up, she is phenomenal. Great song too..

[@rootandbranchbranch6299]

If this was really done with an overhead mic following June from the bar to the piano live and she kept her concentration, tune and timing all the way the my goodness what an artist! I doubt anyone can repeat that in today's entertainment world.

[@33uptempo]

To charliebear.....I'm only 2 years behind you, and this lady repesented all that was fine in the music of our era. I'm so glad that younger afficianados are keeping this great stuff alive on youtube, and on some jazz radio stations. Great music lives forever.

[@agravine096]

The pianist is the late Hal Serra.

[@1FrankFan]

Thank you. I always wondered who he was.

[@MarlaLukofsky7]

June Christy is one of the best and this version is so raw and honest and features her natural super talent. oh my god. xo this

[@charliebear692]

Wow this made my day. I could hardly believe my eye and ears: Christy singing Something Cool. I am 81 and have followered here since 1945. Sadly she is gone but she left a fotune of great interpetations . Thanks so much for posting this. I miss you JuneBug.

[@xenophonanthony2791]

How are you now? I wish the past never left me...

[@musiclover1035]

Bill Bowen, I'm with you. In the 50's, her records were platyed here in Hbg, Pa regularly on a progrram that ran from 11:15pm til 1 am, called dreamer's Serenade, along with those of other greats like Julie London, Chris Connor. And wasn't it mystifying that their voices sounded good whether with or without a orchestra or even a trio behind them. No light shows, fireworks, didn't have to be naked or need scenery,dancers or acrobats behind them - just talent in them ssomething that is a rarity today! Without all the abve mentioned crap. most of today's "singers" need the wizardry of the studio equipment!

[@Jplent1]

More than cool. Incredibly understated and elegant.

[@YungTsundere]

This song goes the best with my natural voice I feel like June Christy channels through me. BEAUTIFUL song

[@PetravanNuis]

One of the greatest finds on YT. To hear her sing it on LP is one thing but watching her sing it elevates it so very much. This is a classic!

[@guyperry4010]

Superb. And a goddess at 1.15 with sparkling eyes and a cigarette

[@secondborn]

June was a fave of mine from back in the 50's when I was just starting school....remember her album of childrens' songs for adults......and her Big Band Specials album, and of course both the mono and stereo album versions of "Something Cool"......always, June Bug..

[@rainworld-f3i]

I literally typed something cool live in the search box. And here I am watching a video from 1959. Gem 💙🎶

[@storiemooser6192]

Couldn't resist bringing this up; do any of you remember a Martini's Jazz bar on Main Street in Kansas City MO back in the '50s? No live music, just record machine loaded with the jazz of the era. I was a student, '56 - '60, at the Kansas City Art Institute, and with my friend Fred Marshall (bassist later on the Vince Guaraldi "Peanuts Christmas Album") Martini's was one of many places where we'd regularly touch base.

[@Heatherzhany]

God I love 50s and 60s artists. Beautiful tunes come out so naturally from them. I wish I grew up in the 50s instead of the 90s. People are so impatient nowadays and can't appreciate real music.

[@marest666]

I wish I had known these songs ...well, all the big names in jazz vocals besides Billie and Ella. Thanks to the emergence of CDs in the 90s which paved the way for the recirculation of the old recordings specially the hard to find jazz records. June Christy is one of the most underrated jazz singers worth rediscovering .

[@JulietTheGirl]

Try Anita O'Day as well! Amazing singer! :)

[@xiongluong]

Agree on Anita O'Day. She's probably my fav. My heart goes with Ella but Anita has both my head and heart. She had sass.

[@johnfulton4061]

@@xiongluong what about Chris Connor?Chris Connor Anita O Day and June Christy were the girl singers as they called them back then for the Stan Kenton Orchestra all three are amazing Anita was the first and June and Chris were somewhat influenced by her cool style of singing

[@johnfulton4061]

@Som Luong yes she does love the way she does Sweet Georgia Brown

[@johnfulton4061]

@Spring Bird Chis Connor was also amazing very similar singing style cool and sultry

[@ukestudio3002]

No effects, no mic, just pure class and incredible talent.! 🌹 I remember "Playboy After Dark"- a fun show. Thank you for uploading this.!

[@albertadriftwood3612]

June Christy really shines here. Hefner had a unique way of showcasing the best talent of the day in a relaxed atmosphere. This is a prime example.

[@武藤秀幸-d9l]

Awesome ! She is one of my favorite singer .If I have a time machine, I want to go back 40～50's.

[@matrox]

I was just a small tyke on a tricycle when this came out but I am glad I was around in that era. Things were so much classier then. Even the cars had class.

[@voicegirl555]

She was so good! I love this song by Miss Christy. Something Cool indeed. Gone 31 years now but still one of the best singers there ever was. Thank you June Christy!

[@cindyyarchever4236]

This was my mom's favorite song and she and I would sing it at family functions...brings back sweet memories of my momma Marlene❤

[@harrycohen3632]

Watch June’s face while she’s singing, she is giving a stellar acting performance in addition to her heartbreakingly beautiful vocal. I also love the finger snaps to get the pianist to pick up the pace.

[@itsallgood3210]

I love how formally cool the guys looked here, back in the 50s...I hope some of this classy "never out of fashion" stylin comes back again....Was great to see Heff absolutely in rapture in the last 30 or so seconds...so obvious this was one of his fav ballads....so inpeccably sung, so well it could be make the cut if it was in a movie/musical....

[@adelefico4475]

This is fabulous! ❤❤❤

[@waynebrasler]

Besides being a superlative singer who was a legend while still alive, June was a totally charismatic individual. It was said of her that when she walked into a room the temperature changed. She was never a glossy show biz type but she was very hip, someone you knew was important even if you didn't know who she was. She was a girl from Decatur, Illinois, and looked like a girl from Decatur, Illinois, and always much like her senior yearbook photo, a natural American beauty.

[@scottluster4873]

You have articulated what I always sensed as her nephew. We were separated by years and miles, but NOBODY moved a room like June when she walked in, something I've acknowledged for years was the start of my appreciation for her impact on America. Even toward the end of her working years, she liked the trappings of celebrity, but thought the inherent phoniness of it was a bit of a "drag." She gifted me with a deep appreciation for a hip singer's perspective on jazz. I'll always love her for the role she played in my life.

[@RussellOpalko-ex5oy]

Simply the queen of cool. There is only One…..

[@mtake100]

June Christy, one of the greatest and most emotive singers from an endearing era.

[@josefinamartinez2251]

Beautiful song,voice and lady

[@bbcisrubbish]

Beautiful, and what an accompanist.

[@thomasgore2687]

who is the pianist ?

[@MarlaLukofsky7]

June Christy is one of the finest jazz singers and not as main stream as Ella or Sarah, but boy oh boy. If u wanna learn jazz singing, this is the human to listen to. And Blossom Dearie. And Jeri Southern. And Rita Reys too. And Anita O'day.

[@johnniemaddux1226]

+Marla Lukofsky Yes to all your suggestions! I think June suggested Anita O'Day as her replacement with Stan Kenton.

[@waynebrasler]

+Johnnie Maddux No Anita came first. June said Anita heard her on radio or heard a dub she'd made and mentioned her to Kenton but Anita later said she didn't even know about June. It is true June heard Chris Connor on radio with Claude Thornhill's Orchestra and alerted Kenton to her. Chris said that when she got a phone call from Kenton she was sure it was a joke. Flash bam she founded herself with the Kenton band and on the cover of Downbeat with him. Of Kenton, Chris said, "He was the ultimate, a try gentleman, educated and a pleasure to work with. The whole band was great." But she only lasted about nine months because physically she could not handle the touring. She soon ended on the new Bethlehem records with two #1 jazz vocal albums and after one more Atlantic snatched her up and with her first album she began a gigantic record seller. All three ladies were Midwestern girls and when you met them that is who you met. Not hip kitties or sophisticates but matter-of-fact, very easy to talk with and very bright ladies.

[@goplad1]

June Christy is easily one of the most under appreciated jazz singers of all. Such a earthy voice! Her phrasing is impeccable. I recently found an old 78 rpm acetate disc, circa 1950, of June singing the Bob Nolan standard "Cool Water". Just June and piano accompaniment. She gets more out of that tune than any other version I've heard. To the best of my knowledge her version of the song is unreleased.

[@soapbxprod]

and Keely Smith!

[@theovee4321]

goplad1 put it on you tube goplad

[@michaelbackhouse]

I love that June Christy sings live in this.

[@radiocommander]

ホントに良いなあ。 メロディ・歌詞共に素晴らしいし、ジューン・クリスティの縮緬[ちりめん]ビブラートの効果というか、真夏の蒸し暑い都会（！ゼッタイに都会だ）の昼下がりのパブの情景、それからパブのカウンタに座る、年齢のせいでその容色のやや衰え始めた中年女性の悲哀と過ぎし日への矜持とが、もう見事に歌われる。 「毛皮の服は寒い季節用にしまってあるの。」と聞かれもしてない事柄を口走らざるを得ない女性の心の色が、歌を聴く者の胸に染みてくるようだ。

[@MadredeAgua9]

Thank you, Miss Christy, for something cool.

[@truthbetoldagain]

Wow, how lovely was The Misty Miss June Christy !

[@PietroDiero]

June Christy...featured with Stan Kenton...featured by Capitol...married to Bob Cooper, reed player...and one of the more identifyable vocalists...she is indeed "cool."

[@dianadoos6120]

look how everyone dressed, so beautiful

[@dean5220]

Hello Diana, How are you doing?

[@eddieburrelli]

Utterly lovely.

[@robertbarron1203]

So cool - so very, very cool. June was my favorite singer. I saw her live at the Clouds nite club in the summer of 1956. I'll never forget her rendition that night of "That's All"

[@allanbirmantas1695]

The album of that same title was her best IMHO. It was certainly one which I practically wore out from frequent use.

[@patriciaboogaerdt2998]

robert barron u have

[@lrlforfun]

Pete and June recorded two Something Cools. One in 1955, the other in 1960. Almost the same personnel (most Kenton alumni), the same charts too. The difference, a few riffs had changes. Pete and Bob, her husband took her to the doc's when her health deteriorated, she was gone way too soon. The best of the best.

[@1FrankFan]

A great singer, a great song, and an incredible video.

[@MariUSukulele]

simple as that, yes!!!

[@fraguasrenato]

No tricks, pure talent!

[@FJMAY]

I played the record of June and Pete Rugolo doing this almost non stop when it came out and nearly drove my family crazy! I still love it.

[@jonnyq680]

who broke the record? Mom? Daddy-o?

[@jimbrown1559]

A marvelous performance by one of my very favorite singers. A real time capsule!

[@peterbrown3944]

Do you also like Jeri Southern ?

[@karenmccants1439]

Wow---what an artist.

[@dancelli714]

I played her recordings more than anyone on my radio show (1970's), and of course I played most of the SOMETHING COOL LP. She re-did the COOL LP in stereo later . Another album was the one with her Husband Bob Cooper etc. I have her on that Stars Of Jazz TV show with Host:Bobby Troup. The second most played singer on my show was Julie London.

[@fncz]

Mad Men for REAL!!! Great slice of that era!!

[@colejx78]

Frank Czuri I wish it could have been included in the show !

[@Marcel_Audubon]

expand your frame of reference

[@thomaswebb9705]

When the whole world had more class. Thanks for posting this X10.

[@jimmyj1969]

A great song by a great singer!

[@stellartunes]

Outstanding...never have seen her perform live, My Mom's favorite singer..Thank GOD for KZbin, and the lovely person who posted this. Made my Year. Thankyou.

[@choward5430]

I'd would absolutely love to have been at those parties!! And what a show! What an idea!

[@jeffbellin8224]

Of course, the performance on the album of the same name is classic. But she takes the live performance of this song to another place (and I'm not talking about Hef's pad). Thanks for posting this.

[@roxannemoore3045]

You can tell hugh Heffner really has an appreciation for talent. Great video.

[@sofiahussein6]

I just wanted confirmation it was him.

[@midnightmagnet1035]

This is my most favorite version of June Christy singing this great song because it’s live in a casual crowd👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾‼️

[@gregsmith9401]

My feeling is that the June Christy catalog will be revisited often she has a way to slow down the roll pretty sure my father liked her. Very cool thanks again.

[@seanh7857]

It's magic. Was & still is....magic.

[@grandcarriage1]

This is just outstanding.... Thanks for finding and sharing.

[@johnbarell1]

Love her voice and interpretation of this terrific song.

[@Quadcopter101]

Hot August night here. Couldn't sleep. Wanted something cool from June. Ahh she's singing it live too! Thanks for uploading :-)

[@fuzzy123238]

Perfect for nights like these.

[@63LAURIE]

Thanks for this - love the Cool School - of which Miss Christy was integral! Adore her Something Cool - the definitive version - have never heard anyone get anywhere near on it ... To see her sing it live is therefore particularly great - thanks again.

[@ElaineDame]

She's so cool!!!

[@Jameslopez5682]

Hello Elaine how are you doing hope you’re having a great time with your family may God bless you and your family

[@chrisn7259]

Wonderful.

[@drchilledair]

I recall reading somewhere that the song's writer, the terrific Billy Barnes, wrote this "aria" as part of a master's thesis (or a class exercise?); "Blanche" sings it in his student opera based on "Streetcar Named Desire." If true, I would love to see/hear the entire work.

[@MrJfury76]

I have been looking for this clip for years!! Thank you so much for posting!! Would love to see the rest of June's appearance by the way.

[@EflatMajor53]

Written by the wonderful Billy Barnes who also gave us Have I Stayed Too Long at the Fair/

[@CoachVinoLLC]

An amazing talent. Needs to be mentioned more often among the other legends like Ella and Sarah. She was unique in her tone and composure. She leaves you transfixed. 💕🥃

[@AndrewMacLaine]

I love the Tracey Ullman version of this song so much. She combined the smoothness of this performance with a circumstance of the late-njght weather being too warm.

[@matrox]

That was really cool,, I mean something cool.

[@valtier68]

Fantastic piece of musical history!

[@guyperry4010]

Astonishing. Wonderful.

[@CineRocco]

Thank you for posting that clip. Wonderful.

[@tobor58]

My favorite of her's live wow!

[@noalevylive]

absolutely amazing- thank you for uploading!!

[@christianlacheze3323]

Fabulous! Many thanks for posting

[@sgazzz]

So good...!!

[@hadardar6788]

June is my all time favorite singer and one of my greatest inspirations. She's a beautiful soul to be always remembered

[@marcelmaas6977]

Wonderful!!

[@alessioarenachannel]

So many thanks to post this.

[@alexsouza81]

Simply adorable!

[@Beardman29]

Thank you for posting! One of my dad's favorites and one of mine!

[@marcuskey6667]

I has 33 LP Album and the Title Song On The Album Was Something Cool! I Listen to 90.9 College Of DuPage Jazz Radio and heard a 1947 Capital Recording Of her singing "Do Nothing Till You Here From Me" Man that's Classic Jazz and who better to Deliver it than June Christy!

[@TennisBlossom]

thanks for this post!

[@toadkiss]

This is THE BEST! JUNE RULES!

[@hannurilim5720]

Listening to this song in South Korea 2020! love her voice and everything

[@tommybjorling8910]

June,June,June what a singing feeling for a song,the time pas by

[@glenrose7925]

An immortal piece of music art from the sophisticated era of the Playboy Clubs. Who is the accompanist? He supports her brilliantly.

[@bixlives]

It's a guess--but the pianist might be Harold "Hal" Serra. Anyone know for sure ? thanx !

[@glenrose7925]

@@bixlives the NY Musicians Union helped us figure it out. You are correct. Hal Serra is her accompanist.

[@anneroselli161]

I adored June Christy so sad a passing

[@donzuck2648]

Just look at the way Hugh Hefner looks at her while she is singing total mesmerized by her heart wrenching story. Total class with a sad story that you know she probably really did live.

[@meropemerope6096]

Who was he?

[@donzuck2648]

@@meropemerope6096 Hugh Hefner is the host introducing June Christy at this party.

[@anyoutubeaccount]

@@meropemerope6096 The guy who made Playboy.

[@michaelmachine]

totally amazing miss christy! :)

[@helios1912]

Just great. Lovin' it.