"Tenderly" is a pop song published in 1946 with music by Walter Gross and lyrics by Jack Lawrence. Written in the key of E as a waltz in time, it has since been performed in and has become a popular jazz standard. Notable versions have been recorded by singers, such as Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, and Nat King Cole, and pianists, such as Art Tatum, Bill Evans and Peruchín.
"Tenderly" was first recorded by Brazilian singer and pianist Dick Farney on June 15, 1947. Described as "a lovely waltz melody", Farney's version was positively received upon release in July 1947. The second recording was made by Sarah Vaughan on July 2, 1947. Her version entered the charts on November 15 and reached number 27. It has been described as "a ravishing rendition". The next versions were recorded by the orchestras of Randy Brooks and Charlie Spivak later that year. The Brazilian Trio Surdina recorded a samba-inflected version in 1953, while Jerry González y Los Comandos de la Clave recorded a Latin jazz version in 2010.
Other versions
- Sarah Vaughan – (1947)
- Johnny Smith Quintet (featuring Stan Getz) – Jazz at NBC (1953), Moonlight in Vermont (1956)
- Chet Baker – Chet in Paris, Vol. 2: Everything Happens to Me (1955)
- Louis Armstrong with Ella Fitzgerald – Ella and Louis (1956)