'Julia' is a song written by John Lennon during The Beatles' 1968 trip to India for meditation and spiritual exploration. It is a tribute to his mother, Julia Lennon, and is unique in The Beatles' White Album as the only track featuring Lennon alone on guitar and vocals.
The jazz trio Medeski, Martin & Wood, formed in 1991 in Brooklyn, New York, performed a rendition of 'Julia' in their 2006 album 'Out Loud', collaborating with jazz guitarist John Scofield.
The Beatles were influenced by African American Blues and Rhythm & Blues. This connection is exemplified by jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis's 1965 live performance of 'A Hard Day's Night', which brought The Beatles' music back to its African American musical roots.
Billy Preston, an American R&B, Soul, and Funk keyboardist, collaborated with The Beatles in 1969, contributing to songs like 'Get Back' and 'Don't Let Me Down'. John Lennon referred to Preston as the 'fifth Beatle' due to his significant influence on their music during this period.
'You Are So Beautiful' was written by Billy Preston and popularized by Joe Cocker in 1974. The song is celebrated for its soulful melody and heartfelt lyrics, becoming a classic in both soul and pop music genres.