Song: Harlem Nocturne
Written by Earle Hagen, James McHughTrombonist/arranger/composer Earle Hagen wrote HARLEM NOCTURNE in 1940 and had to wait thirteen years before it became a hit (thanks to saxman Herbie Fields in 1953). Seven years later The Viscounts, an instrumental quintet from New Jersey, enjoyed mild success with their 1960 recording of the sultry, seductive blues instrumental. Was The Viscounts` single ahead of it's time? It must have been, because when Amy Records re-issued the track in 1965 it became an even bigger seller then. The song was also used as the theme of Mike Hammer, a popular CBS TV series.