Fingertips

Stevie Wonder · 1962 · Studio version on The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie; the live version released in 1963 was his first hit

Context

Composed by Clarence Paul and Henry Cosby, mentors of the young Stevie Wonder, Fingertips originated in June 1962 as a jazz instrumental on the album The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie, with Marvin Gaye on drums. It was the live version captured in 1963 at the Regal Theater in Chicago, with its improvised encore, that was released as a Tamla single and reached number one on the American pop and R&B charts in August 1963, launching the thirteen-year-old musician.

In the genealogy of jazz

This track belongs to Soul jazz, boogaloo. Among the origins and influences of Soul jazz, boogaloo: Hard bop, Jump blues, R&B, Gospel.

By the same artist

• Sir Duke (1976)

Sources

• EN: Fingertips

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