Kenny Kirkland Lets Loose on this Modal Lick! (LOTW #182)
Kenny Kirkland is one of those stars who burnt brightly, but quickly. During the short time we had him on this Earth, he left us with some amazing piano playing! Listen as he lets loose on “Mr. J.C.,” a track dedicated to John Coltrane off his self-titled album from 1991. Kenny could sure burn!!! https://youtu.be/CKj2oZ7KdQc […]
A Sexy Solo Break by Edward Simon on “My Cherie Amour” (LOTW #181)
For those of you who don’t know pianist Edward Simon, you’ll want to get to know him after this week’s lick! During his tenure in the SFJazz Collective, his arrangements and solos brought an extra layer of sophistication to the group. Listen to this sultry solo break over their reimagining of the classic Stevie Wonder […]
Stevie Wonder’s Famous Line from “Sir Duke” Pt. 2 (LOTW #180)
“Sir Duke” is a tune off of Stevie Wonders iconic album, “Songs in the Key of Life” (1976). He wrote it in homage to one of his great jazz influences, Duke Ellington. This week’s LOTW features the second half of the line in its completion. Check it out! https://youtu.be/PmYX04TN6uE CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION […]
Stevie Wonder’s Famous Line from “Sir Duke” Pt. 1 (LOTW #179)
“Sir Duke” is a tune off of Stevie Wonders iconic album, “Songs in the Key of Life” (1976). He wrote it in homage to one of his great jazz influences, Duke Ellington. This soli line one minute into the song is infamous among horn players, and uses some hip pentatonic language. Check it out! https://youtu.be/_QltxXyKvS8 […]
Herbie’s Minor Third Lick from “Dolphin Dance” (LOTW #178)
Herbie Hancock is known as one of the great innovators of jazz piano. In honor of his 80th birthday last week, we’ve got a lick this week from his iconic record “Maiden Voyage” (1965). He introduces his solo with this ascending minor third idea on what would become a jazz standard tune of his, “Dolphin […]
Brad Mehldau’s Ballad Artistry on “Blame it on My Youth” (LOTW #177)
On this cut from his iconic record, “Art of the Trio Vol. 1,” Brad Mehldau shows us that he is not afraid to go deep when it comes to playing ballads. He starts of the track with a sensitive intro, and brings in the band at a daringly SLOW tempo. When it comes time for […]
Keith Jarrett Opens His Solo with this Genius Pattern (LOTW #176)
We all know Keith Jarrett as one of the greats, but did you know he was a child prodigy? By age 7, he was already performing major works by composers such as Bach, Beethoven and Chopin. As an adult pianist and improviser, he now performs entire concerts completely extemporaneously. In one of his iconic jazz […]
Bill Evans Swings this Opening Melodic Sequence from “Waltz for Debby” (LOTW #175)
On one of his most iconic trio tunes,”Waltz for Debby,” Bill Evans takes a left turn from the ordinary waltz and goes into 4/4 meter after the first chorus! Check out this week’s lick as Bill opens his solo with a beautiful melodic sequence, demonstrating quintessential characteristics of his own style improvisation. The rest of […]
Bud Powell Shows How It’s Done on “Parisian Thoroughfare” (LOTW #174)
Bud Powell was the originator of Bebop piano playing. Watch as he shows how he masterfully plays changes in this excerpt from his trademark tune, “Parisian Thoroughfare.” CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LICK If you have questions or suggestions for a Lick Of The Week you would like us to do, please […]
Cedar Walton “Clockwise” Riff (LOTW #173)
Check out the opening riff from Cedar Walton’s renowned composition,”Clockwise.” After ascending up an E major triad, he goes back down by way of a C major seventh sound. Dig this, and develop your own compositional ideas! CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LICK If you have questions or suggestions for a Lick […]
