McCoy Tyner’s Opening Line from “Autumn Leaves” (LOTW #231)
It is always interesting to see how great jazz improvisers interpret classic standard tunes. In this case, we are looking at McCoy Tyner’s rendition of “Autumn Leaves,” one of the most played songs in the jazz idiom. Check out his use of chromatic notes, as well as the whole tone scale. The rest of this […]
Wynton Kelly’s Minor Madness on “Whisper Not” (LOTW #230)
We all know that Wynton Kelly can show us how it’s done when it comes to playing the blues. How about minor bebop vocabulary, you might ask? Well… he’s got that covered too! Check out these expert minor ii-V-I lines from Wynton over Benny Golson’s jazz standard tune, “Whisper Not” from his album “Piano” (1958). […]
Lee Konitz “Sub-Conscious Lee” Pt. 2 (LOTW #229)
This tune is a prime example of a new melody composed using pre-existing chord changes from another song, also known as a “Contrafact.” This contrafact by Lee Konitz as played with Lennie Tristano is based on the changes of “What is this Thing Called Love” by Cole Porter. Lee Konitz demonstrates his own unique melodic […]
Lee Konitz “Sub-Conscious Lee” Pt. 1 (LOTW #228)
This tune is a prime example of a new melody composed using pre-existing chord changes from another song, also known as a “Contrafact.” This contrafact by Lee Konitz as played with Lennie Tristano is based on the changes of “What is this Thing Called Love” by Cole Porter. Lee Konitz demonstrates his own unique melodic […]
Bud Powell Sends You Into Oblivion (LOTW #227)
Bud Powell is one of the great originators of bebop jazz language. The twists and turns of his improvised lines can sometimes send the listener into a frenzied state! This tune “Oblivion” is an original of Bud’s, and demonstrates that sentiment exactly. https://youtu.be/C5p1fXBjV0I CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LICK BOOK If you have questions or […]
A Blazing Fast Blues Lick By Oscar (LOTW #226)
Sometimes Oscar Peterson plays SO FAST, you have to slow it down to even hear what he is playing! Luckily, we’ve done that for you for this week’s LOTW. Check out this lick from “Billie’s Bounce,” a blues track off of Oscar’s album “Encore at the Blue Note” (1990). https://youtu.be/Y_ZIFvOV7yk CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL […]
Chick Corea Slays This Version Of “Tones for Joan’s Bones” (LOTW #225)
After Chick Corea’s passing this year, we truly experienced just how deep of an impact he had. His compositions and performances throughout his career were brilliant and pushed the limits of what we thought was possible in the jazz world. After his original version of “Tones for Joan’s Bones” in 1968, he recorded it again […]
A Soulful E Minor Lick By Bill Evans (LOTW #224)
In 1961, Bill Evans recorded his 4th album as a leader “Explorations.” It featured some more experimental and advanced jazz piano techniques, but through it all carries his deep sense of style and soulfulness. Here is a lick taken from the beginning of his solo on “Nardis,” an original composition of Bill’s which went on […]
Gerald Clayton’s Mysterious Lines (LOTW #221)
Gerald Clayton has become one of the leading voices in modern jazz piano in our era. He often keeps his audience guessing, and this lick is no exception. Check out this modal line over “All of You” from his breakout record Two Shade (2009).https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7ST2IdkjZ0 CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LICK BOOK If you have questions […]
Bud Powell’s “Get Happy” Lick (LOTW #220)
Bud Powell inspired many pianists of future generations with his innovations of the bebop style. His long, virtuosic runs set a new standard for modern jazz piano playing in the 1950’s. In this excerpt from “Get Happy,” we hear Bud execute an unusual lick which lays well in the hands. You may hear similar patterns […]
