Cute is a jazz pop tune written by Neal Hefti with lyrics by Stanley Styne. It was first released in 1958 by Count Basie & His Orchestra on the album Basie Plays Hefti, marking the original instrumental big band release. The piece is a brisk swing number typical of Basie’s orchestra and Hefti’s arranging style. Over the years it has been covered many times in both instrumental and vocal versions, helping it become a jazz standard. Notable later recordings include Neal Hefti’s own instrumental renderings, Lionel Hampton in 1965, Bobby Darin in 1966, and Tony Bennett with Robert Farnon in 1972 on The Good Things In Life.
