A deeply personal Arabic adaptation of the beloved jazz standard “Autumn Leaves” explores love, loss, and memory against the backdrop of wartime Beirut.

Jazz vocalist Julie Slim unveils her moving new single, “Waynak,” a heartfelt reinterpretation of the iconic jazz standard known worldwide as Autumn Leaves. Featured on her forthcoming album Suspended, the song transforms a beloved classic into an intimate and culturally rich musical journey that bridges East and West.

Originally composed by Joseph Kosma in 1945 with French lyrics by poet Jacques Prévert and later adapted into English by Johnny Mercer in 1950, Autumn Leaves has become one of the most enduring songs in jazz history. For Slim, however, the melody carries a far more personal significance.

“I didn’t invent the wheel on this one,” says Slim. “This song has been in my ears and heart since childhood. My mother would sing it beautifully whenever she was asked, and her velvety voice made me fall in love with it too.”

Inspired by a desire to tell her own story through the timeless melody, Slim wrote original Arabic lyrics for the song in 2020. While she admired previous Arabic adaptations, she felt compelled to create a version that reflected her own experiences and emotions.

The result is “Waynak,” a deeply personal narrative of love and loss set in Beirut during wartime, where stolen moments unfold beneath the branches of a majestic olive tree. Though the story remains close to her heart, its themes of longing, memory, and enduring connection resonate universally.

Musically, “Waynak” offers a fresh perspective on the classic composition through an elegant fusion of jazz and Middle Eastern influences. The arrangement prominently features acclaimed oud master Sari Andoni, whose expressive playing introduces the song and weaves an unmistakably Arabic character throughout the performance. Complementing the arrangement is the inventive saxophone work of Joshua Thomson, a longtime friend and collaborator whose soulful improvisations add depth and emotional nuance.

Slim deliberately chose to record the song live in the studio, capturing the spontaneity and authenticity of musicians creating together in real time.

“We recorded this song live because I wanted it to exist in the moment,” Slim explains. “I wanted a present connection with the music and with each other.”

With its evocative storytelling, rich cultural influences, and heartfelt performance, “Waynak” serves as both a tribute to a timeless jazz masterpiece and a bold artistic statement from Julie Slim. The single offers listeners a glimpse into the emotional and musical landscape of Suspended, an album that promises to explore themes of memory, identity, and human connection through Slim’s distinctive voice.