One of the most interesting jazz songs around, Stella By Starlight took an unusual route into the world of jazz standard repertoire. Stay tuned for a quick dive into its history, and some of the greatest Stella By Starlight interpretations of all time.
Take a look at the most famous jazz songs of all time and you’ll notice that most were either:
1) Written for Broadway musicals of the early 20th Century and then brought into the jazz world – think Summertime, All The Things You Are and On The Sunny Side of the Street…
2) Written by jazz musicians, for jazz musicians – think ‘Round Midnight, Take The “A” Train and In a Sentimental Mood…
One song stands out as being a bit different though, starting its life as background music in the score for 1944 film The Uninvited.
Written by American composer Victor Young, Stella By Starlight can be heard on the open credits, as well as throughout the movie which, as you might have guessed, features a lead character named Stella, played by Gail Russell.
It wasn’t until 2 years later, when Ned Washington got hold of it, that it rose to prominence.
And what a journey!
Here are just some of the legendary jazz musicians who have recorded Stella By Starlight…
Ella Fitzgerald sings Stella by Starlight
There’s a magic to hearing Ella sing “Stella by Starlight.” With her effortless phrasing and unmistakable tone, she turns this harmonically knotty tune into something tender and swinging.
Taken from her 1961 album Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie!, the track is a masterclass in vocal storytelling—proof that even the most musically dense standards can breathe when delivered by a true giant.
Chet Baker: Stella By Starlight
If Ella’s take was all poise and clarity, Chet’s is wistful and understated. His fragile trumpet tone dances lightly across the changes, never rushing, never shouting.
“Stella” becomes a vehicle for quiet introspection here—exactly the kind of thing that made Baker such a cult figure. The vulnerability feels personal, as if the whole track was recorded late at night, just for you.
Bill Evans Trio plays Stella
Few pianists have reshaped ballads the way Bill Evans has, and this trio version of “Stella by Starlight” is no exception.
Joined by Shelly Manne and Eddie Gomez, Evans moves between lyricism and abstraction with typical grace.
The interplay is subtle but deeply intuitive—every note feels like part of a conversation rather than a solo. If you want to hear the harmonic richness of “Stella” fully explored, this is your stop.
Miles Davis Loves Stella By Starlight
Though not part of the original release, Miles Davis’ take on “Stella by Starlight” was later added as a bonus track on CD editions of Kind of Blue.
His interpretation is spacious and brooding, with a kind of hushed intensity that lets the tune unfold slowly.
It’s a great window into the darker, modal sound world Miles was crafting at the time—and a reminder of how even a ballad could feel revolutionary in his hands.
Robert Glasper’s interpretation of Stella By Starlight
Fast-forward a few decades and Robert Glasper gives “Stella” a sleek, modern touch.
Recorded live at Capitol Studios, it’s lush, moody and full of harmonic freedom. Glasper keeps the essence of the tune intact but filters it through a 21st-century lens—think late-night ambience meets gospel-rooted reharmonisation. For newer fans or those curious about how jazz standards evolve, this one’s essential.
Hasaan Ibn Ali – Stella By Starlight
Hasaan Ibn Ali was a pianist of singular intensity, but here he’s joined by vocalist Muriel Gilliam—offering a rare and haunting vocal take on “Stella by Starlight.”
Her delivery is bold, declarative, and strikingly modern, set against Hasaan’s angular, unpredictable accompaniment. It’s not a polite reading of the tune—it’s raw, searching, and completely unlike anything else on this list.
Looking for more?
Check out our guide to the most popular jazz songs of all time or our round up of the 50 best albums in jazz.
You can also find Stella By Starlight near the top of our round up of best Chet Baker songs here.