Summer Serenade is a jazz tune written by Benny Carter, performed as the title track on the Benny Carter Quartet album of the same name. The piece showcases Carter’s lyrical alto sax voice and his composing, capturing a mellow swing that evokes a summertime serenade. The album Summer Serenade was recorded on August 17, 1980 in Copenhagen, Denmark and released in 1982 on the Storyville label (also issued as In Copenhagen). The quartet features Benny Carter on alto sax, Kenny Drew on piano, Jesper Lundgaard on bass, and Ed Thigpen on drums. The album runs 44 minutes and 15 seconds and blends Carter originals with jazz standards such as Indiana, Almost Like Being in Love, When Lights Are Low, and Taking a Chance on Love.
