‘The Odd Couple’ was a 1968 award-winning US movie based on Neil Simon’s classic comic play. It was later developed into a successful TV series. Both the movie and the TV show used the same catchy ‘Odd Couple’ theme composed by the legendary Neal Hefti. Hefti, of course, was a top jazz composer and arranger buy maybe best known for his work on film and television soundtracks, as well as his tenure as composer and arranger with the Count Basie big band. He was also a talented musician in his own right, playing trumpet and leading his own big band. But ‘The Odd Couple Theme’ remains one of his best known creations and it refuses to go away.
The tune has just been resurrected by THE VERVE JAZZ ENSEMBLE – a US group that pays homage to the past while establishing newer, younger audiences for the vintage sound of classic instrumental jazz. The ensemble was founded by drummer Josh Feldstein who says: “We’re excited to release our single, ‘The Odd Couple Theme.’ It gives us a chance to pay homage to Neal Hefti’s fabulous music, his contribution to jazz and American culture — and hopefully helps to introduce his music to a whole new generation of jazz lovers.”
The Verve Jazz Ensemble’s new take on ‘The Odd Couple Theme’ runs out at seven and a half minutes and rightly focuses on the familiar melody before the soloists take flight. It’s energy-packed and both classic and contemporary.
‘The Odd Couple Theme’ is available on all major music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon, and can be purchased on the VJE’s website, www.verve-jazz.com.