"Hi-Fly" (also sometimes spelled "Hi Fly" or "High Fly") is one of the best known compositions by American jazz pianist Randy Weston, written in the 1950s and inspired by his experience of being tall,Biography, Randy Weston official website. "and how the ground looks different to you than everybody else"."Jazz Legend Randy Weston: The Complete Democracy Now! Interview", Democracy Now!, February 24, 2012. Since first being recorded on 1958's New Faces at Newport,"New Faces at Newport", Randy Weston Discography. "Hi-Fly" appears on several other albums by Weston, including Live at the Five Spot (1959),"Live at the Five Spot", Randy Weston Discography. Niles Littlebig (1969),"Niles Littlebig", Randy Weston Discography. Tanjah (1973),"Tanjah", Randy Weston Discography. Perspective (with Vishnu Wood, 1976),"Perspective", Randy Weston Discography. Rhythms and Sounds (1978),"Rhythms and Sounds", Randy Weston Discography. Earth Birth (1995),"Earth Birth", Randy Weston Discography. Zep Tepi (2005),"Zep Tepi", Randy Weston Discography. and The Storyteller (2009)."The Storyteller", Randy Weston Discography.
Jon Hendricks wrote lyrics to the song,"Hi-Fly", International Lyrics Playground. released on 1962's High Flying With Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. Among others who have recorded vocal covers are Abbey Lincoln (on The World Is Falling Down, 1991), Mel Tormé (on 1962's Comin' Home Baby! and other albums),"Mel Tormé – Hi-Fly" at AllMusic. Karin Krog on (Hi-Fly with Archie Shepp) and Sarah Vaughan (In the City of Lights, 1999).
Selected covers Now a jazz standard, "Hi-Fly" has been recorded in many versions by other leading musicians,"Hi-Fly" at SecondHandSongs. including: Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis: Smokin′, 1958 Lambert, Hendricks & Ross: The Hottest New Group in Jazz, 1959 Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers: At the Jazz Corner of the World, 1959 Cannonball Adderley Quintet: The Cannonball Adderley Quintet in San Francisco, featuring Nat Adderley, 1959 Slide Hampton Octet: Sister Salvation, 1960 Lambert, Hendricks & Ross: High Flying With L, H & R, 1961 The Jazztet (Art Farmer and Benny Golson): Big City Sounds, 1961 Johnny Coles: The Warm Sound, 1961 Jaki Byard: Hi-Fly, 1962 Lionel Hampton: Many Splendored Vibes, 1962 Al Grey: Snap Your Fingers, featuring Billy Mitchell, 1962 Cannonball Adderley: Phenix, 1975 Horace Parlan: No Blues, 1975 Archie Shepp with Karin Krog: Hi-Fly, 1976 Eric Dolphy: The Berlin Concerts, 1977"Hi-Fly by Eric Dolphy". SecondHandSongs. The Great Jazz Trio: At The Village Vanguard Again, 1977 Horace Parlan: Hi-Fly, 1978 Dexter Gordon: Gotham City, 1981 Shelly Manne: Goodbye for Bill Evans, 1981 Ted Dunbar: Jazz Guitarist, 1982 George Shearing with Mel Tormé: Top Drawer, 1983 Peter King: Hi-Fly, 1984 Monty Alexander: Full Steam Ahead, 1985 Rio Nido: Hi Fly, 1985 Max Roach Double Quartet: Bright Moments, 1985 Donald Byrd: Harlem Blues, 1988 Art Taylor: Mr. A.T., 1992 Jimmy Smith: Damn!, 1995 Ron Carter: So What, 1998 Ray Bryant: Ray's Tribute to His Jazz Piano Friends, 1998 Sarah Vaughan: In the City of Lights, 1999 Ahmad Jamal: A Quiet Time, 2009"Hi-Fly by Ahmad Jamal". SecondHandSongs. Tom Brantley: Boneyard, 2009
References
External links "Randy Weston - "Hi-Fly"", YouTube.