Chick Corea’s Famous “Spain” Melody Line (LOTW #192)
When audiences across the world hear the melody line from “Spain,” they universally know it to be penned by the great Chick Corea! Written for his popular fusion group from the 1970’s “Return to Forever,” this line is a feat of two-handed virtuosity! https://youtu.be/scV-4iFLAmQ CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LICK If you […]
Thelonious Monk’s Signature Whole-Tone Ending (LOTW #191)
Thelonious Monk is a true American original. Listen how he ends his tune “Evidence” from his solo piano recording from 1954. https://youtu.be/RQQkwn8tv9E 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 leave them in the comments […]
Red Garland’s Famous Intro to “A Foggy Day” (LOTW #190)
The intro to Red Garland’s version of the Gershwin standard “A Foggy Day” has become known as one of the great jazz intros, and is instantly recognizable. He employs his trademark voicings over a pedal point, creating a bell-like tone on the piano which sets up the tune beautifully. This one is worth adding to […]
A Classic Hard-Bop Lick by Bobby Timmons (LOTW #189)
Who is one of the first pianists that comes to mind when you think of Hard-Bop jazz? Why, Bobby Timmons, of course! He’s got vocabulary for days… Check out this classic opening lick from “Groovin’ High” off his album Easy Does It (1961). https://youtu.be/vFk67BI9V0Y CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LICK If you […]
Joey D’s Face-Melting Minor B3 Lick (LOTW #188)
The great organist Joey DeFrancesco has always been known to throw down, but this lick will absolutely MELT YOUR FACE. On his album “Wonderful! Wonderful!” in 2012 with drummer Jimmy Cobb and guitarist Larry Coryell, he makes it look easy! Try out this lick from his track “Five Spot After Dark.” https://youtu.be/ruIBZJZuKN0 CLICK HERE TO […]
Oscar Peterson Burns Down the House on “Woody ‘N’ You” Pt. 2 (LOTW #187)
At the famous London House Sessions of 1961′ Live in Chicago, O.P. and his trio took no prisoners. This raucous version of Woody ‘N’ You features chorus after chorus of burning soloing followed by three iconic shout choruses. This lick is a continuation of an excerpt from the first chorus of solo. Follow along as […]
Oscar Peterson Burns Down the House with “Woody ‘N’ You” (LOTW #186)
At the famous London House Sessions of 1961′ Live in Chicago, O.P. and his trio took no prisoners. This raucous version of Woody ‘N’ You features chorus after chorus of burning soloing followed by three iconic shout choruses. This lick is an excerpt from the first chorus of solo. Follow along as Oscar burns down […]
Blazing Minor Lick from Keith Jarrett’s “Köln Concert” (LOTW #185)
In 1975, Keith Jarrett made history with “The Köln Concert” when he performed a completely freely improvised solo piano concert. The extended riffs, progressions, and melodies which he created at this concert have lived on, cementing his place among jazz piano greats and influencing a generations of pianists to follow. This minor lick appears in […]
Benny Green Lays it Down on “These are Soulful Days” (LOTW #184)
Benny Green shows his Hard-Bop jazz chops on this Lee Morgan tune, “These are Soulful Days” from his album of the same name. He lays down a double time line and grooves over a minor cadence, putting a period at the end of a masterful sentence of improvisation CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF […]
Oscar Peterson Starts Things off Right with “Just You, Just Me” (LOTW #183)
Besides being the king of burning down the blues, Oscar Peterson was also a master of playing intros! Setting up the tune can be on of a pianist’s most important responsibilities. Listen how Oscar starts things off right on “Just You, Just Me” from his classic album with Lester Young. https://youtu.be/RNLghVAt8sU CLICK HERE TO GET […]
