A Scorching Bebop Intro by Bud Powell (LOTW #206)

Bud Powell is the father of Bebop Jazz piano playing. Check out this absolutely blazing intro to “Get Happy” from the album Jazz Giant (1950). This intro will knock your socks off!! https://youtu.be/juRHCsKzXKE CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LICK If you have questions or suggestions for a Lick Of The Week you […]
Cory Henry’s Lingus Solo – Intro (LOTW #200)

In honor of our 200th Lick of the Week, we figured we’d pull out all the stops for this one! Cory Henry’s solo from Snarky Puppy’s “Lingus” from the album We Like it Here (2014) has gone down in history as one of the best. Here is his Rhodes intro with notation. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/K3SrsiEAAhE CLICK […]
Keith Jarrett Winds His Way Through the Changes of “Autumn Leaves” (LOTW #199)

In memory of Gary Peacock after his recent passing, here is a lick of the week featuring the trio with Keith Jarrett from their album “Still Live” (1988). Gary starts off with an animated solo, and Keith picks up where he left off with this winding lick. Rest in Peace Gary! https://youtu.be/Ws7Wfb4JEyw CLICK HERE TO […]
A Colorful Solo Break by Hampton Hawes on “Just One of Those Things” (LOTW #197)

For this week’s lick of the week, we’re taking things over to the West coast! Players such as Hampton Hawes, Gerry Mulligan, Shelly Manne, and Bob Brookmeyer were known for their “Cool Jazz” sound. That did not mean, however, that they couldn’t burn when it came down to it! Check out this great solo break […]
Jaki Byard’s Major Attitude on “Lullabye of Birdland” (LOTW #196)

Jaki Byard is known for his longtime tenure in Charles Mingus’s band. His spontaneous nature and animated solos brought an X-factor to that group, but also shines through on his own solo records. On his record “Hi-Fly,” (1962) check out the attitude he throws in over the classic standard “Lullabye of Birland.” CLICK HERE TO […]
Listen to Elmo Hope’s Jazz Piano (LOTW #195)

Elmo Hope is one of the most slept on jazz pianists in his generation. He did not achieve as much fame as some of his colleagues, but nevertheless he played on many great recordings including this session with famous trumpeter Clifford Brown. Check out this lick, you’ll want to hear more of Elmo’s playing! https://youtu.be/qL4aWm0wRQU […]
Horace Silver’s Suave Bass-Line Groove from “Señor Blues” (LOTW #193)

Horace Silver is one of jazz’s most beloved composers. As a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, he is responsible for creating many jazz standards that are still played to this day. When you hear this bass line groove from “Señor Blues,” you know it had to have come from him! https://youtu.be/nFK0TOVZqps CLICK HERE 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 […]
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 […]