The 1932 depression era Broadway musical "Walk A Little Faster" featured "April In Paris" (Yip Harburg - Vernon Duke) as staged by actor Monty Woolley and starring Beatrice Lillie. At the time neither of the composers had ever been in Paris let alone in the month of April. Toward the end of 1933 the first recording of the piece by Henry King and his Hotel Pierre Orchestra with vocalist Joe Sudy made its appearance. This is edited to include the vocal.

In 1956 Count (William) Basie and His Orchestra issued "April In Paris". Thad Jones is noted on trumpet and trombonist Benny Powell almost steals the show. This recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame as having "qualitative and historical significance" in 2011. Among Count Basie's many awards: the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a U.S. Postage stamp bearing his image and membership in the Blues Hall of Fame, Kennedy Honors, Hollywood Walk of Fame and various Grammy Awards.