A Shifty Turnaround by Brad Mehldau on “It Might as Well Be Spring” (LOTW #132)
Brad Mehldau demonstrates his individual style on his first album as a leader, “Introducing Brad Mehldau.” He spices it up by playing the standard tune “It Might as Well Be Spring” in 7/8 with a clave ostinato pattern. Listen how he navigates the odd meter while adding his own flavor to the turnaround at the […]
Phineas Newborn Plays the Blues (LOTW #131)
Hear how Phineas Newborn plays the blues on “Cheryl” from his classic album “A World of Piano” in 1961. His use of chromaticism and blues vocabulary gives his playing a modern edge that still cuts through by today’s standards.
Sonny Clark’s Classic Improv Lines on “All of You” (LOTW #130)
Here is some classic hard bop vocabulary over the tune “All of You,” originally made famous by Miles Davis. Sonny Clark outlines the changes in his solo with clarity and grace from his album “Blues in the Night.”
Quirky Polytonal Lick by Paul Bley on “All the Things You Are” (LOTW #129)
Paul Bley is known for his individual approach to creating melodies. Check out this line from “All the Things You Are” on a recording with Coleman Hawkins from 1963. He starts out with a chromatically ascending motive and cadences in A major, a half step above!
Bill Evans’ Swinging Two-Five Lick from “Peri’s Scope” (LOTW #128)
On his classic 1960 recording of “Peri’s Scope” from Portrait in Jazz, Bill Evans comes out swinging! In this phrase, he riffs on a C in rhythm over a 3-6-2-5 progression, and resolves it with a flourish outlining a D minor 11th chord. Quintessential Bill Evans right here!
Chick Corea’s Burning Lines from Now He Sings, Now He Sobs (LOTW #127)
On his original tune “Matrix,” Chick Corea burns through this blues chorus with unique flair and creativity at a blistering tempo. He begins with some F suspended vocabulary which is reminiscent of McCoy Tyner, one of his major influences. He ascends dramatically to the top of the keyboard, and returns down to Earth to burn […]
McCoy Tyner Rips Through Suspended Chord (LOTW #126)
There is one and only one McCoy Tyner, and this lick from his seminole album The Real McCoy (1967) brings home the point. Check how he rips through different pentatonic sounds over the F pedal on his tune “Passion Dance.”
Red Garland Signature Blues Lick on “If I Were a Bell” (LOTW #125)
Red Garland begins a chorus of the classic standard “If I Were a Bell” with his signature blues lick. Watch out, he throws in a three beat hemiola at the end of the phrase to keep us guessing!
Wynton Kelly Navigates Changes in “On Green Dolphin Street” (LOTW #124)
Here is Wynton Kelly’s trio rendition of the classic tune “On Green Dolphin Street.” Listen how he navigates the changes in a unique way with some of his own quintessential hard bop vocabulary.
Brad Meldhau’s Tasty Lines on “Blackbird” by the Beatles (LOTW #123)
Check out these tasty blues-infused lines from Brad’s version of “Blackbird.” He takes this popular hit from the Beatles and puts his own modern spin on it on his iconic album, “Art of the Trio.”
