"Satin Doll" is a jazz standard penned in 1953 by Duke Ellington and his longtime collaborator Billy Strayhorn. According to Duke's son Mercer, his father wrote it for his longtime partner, Bea "Evie" Ellis. Strayhorn provided the harmonization, as often was the case with Ellington's most popular compositions. A dispute arose between the heirs of Strayhorn and Ellington, resulting in a posthumous lawsuit over "Satin Doll," ultimately leading to the former party securing a share of its royalties. This discord starkly contrasted with the amicable and professional nature of the Strayhorn/Ellington partnership, which endured for over three decades.
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Regarded as one of Ellington's final "pop" hits, "Satin Doll" was initially recorded in 1953 for Capitol Records, reaching number 27 on the Billboard Pop Chart. Its prominence persisted when it reappeared in 1955, as part of an unconventional Disney Broadway production,
Satin Dolls and the Seven Little People, a jazz-infused adaptation of the 1937 animated film,
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Notably, this production was a stage rendition of the controversial animated short film,
Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs (1943).
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Although "Satin Doll" initially gained popularity as an instrumental piece, Johnny Mercer later penned lyrics to it, replacing earlier, unrecorded ones by Strayhorn. This adaptation encouraged numerous vocal renditions of the track throughout the 1960s, including by Ella Fitzgerald, The Impressions and Blossom Dearie. Subsequent artists to have recorded notable versions of the piece include Chicago, Dr. Jones and McCoy Tyner, among many others.
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Featured photo: Wikimedia Commons/William P. Gottlieb.
