Author: DW

Rhythm Changes

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Here are 20 songs based on the classic, “I Got Rhythm” chord progression:
Seven Come Eleven – Benny Goodman
Anthropology – Charlie Parker/Dizzy Gillespie
Crazeology – Charlie Parker
Dexterity – Charlie Parker
Moose the Mooche – Charlie Parker
Steeplechase – Charlie Parker
Tofu & Greens – Denzal Sinclaire
The Eternal Triangle – Dizzy Gillespie
Cotton Tail – Duke Ellington
Race to the Bridge – Gordon Goodwin
Good Bait – John Coltrane
Lester Leaps In – Lester Young
Five Guys Named Mo – Louis Jordan
Ah-Leu-Cha – Miles Davis
Straighten Up and Fly Right – Nat King Cole
Oleo – Sonny Rollins
Fingers – Thad Jones
Little Pixie II – Thad Jones
Tip Toe – Thad Jones
Rhythm-A-Ning – Thelonious Monk

Sources:

Robert Glasper and Esperanza Spalding

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Robert Glasper and Esperanza Spalding are two amazing artists. Both are known for their ability to put their own twist on jazz music. “Afro Blue” was originally a song sung by Erykah Badu on Glasper’s album, but Esperanza does an amazing job with the vocals. Glasper does something really cool during his piano solo (4:46 – 4:52), but I’m not sure what he did. If someone could tell me, that would be awesome. Also, the song has a really great jazz flute player.

A Night In Tunisia

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http://youtu.be/xncznvkB7S8

Written by Dizzy Gillespie in 1942, “A Night in Tunesia” is a signature jazz standard.  Characteristically of bebop, the solos do not disappoint, demonstrating incredible speed and technical skill. “A Night in Tunisia” has also made its way into popular culture. It was covered by Chaka Khan, and sampled by the hip hop group GangStarr in “Words I Manifest”.

 

Epistrophy by Thelonious Monk

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http://youtu.be/dZ9El7k4mNo

This is a performance of Epistrophy by Thelonious Monk (piano), Charlie Rouse (saxophone), Butch Warren (Bass), and Frankie Dunlop (Drums). An “epistrophe” is “the reputation of a word at the end of successive clauses” (Webster), which gives some insight into vamp played during the chorus. Rouse starts out his solo with short staccato notes, many of which are non-chord tones. As his solo progresses, he plays more chord tones and increases note length. Monk has a masterful solo on the piano. He experiments with different rhythms and makes sure to add dissonant chords that keep you on your toes.