78- “Dauhood” and Harold Land

Standards Rating 6 Difficult Rating 7

Harold Land was a prominent tenor saxophonist known for his deep, emotive tone and contributions to the hard bop and post-bop styles. His career launched in the late 1940s, gaining national recognition in 1954 as a member of the Clifford Brown/Max Roach Quintet. One of their signature tunes, “Daahoud,” (by Clifford Brown) exemplifies Land’s lyrical yet rhythmically sharp improvisation. The composition itself is harmonically rich, built on a 36-bar AABA’ form with intricate ii–V progressions and chromatic movement, posing a challenge for improvisers. In the original 1954 recording, Land’s solo is focused and inventive, matching Clifford Brown’s technical brilliance. Max Roach’s dynamic drumming and Richie Powell’s bebop-informed piano work round out the ensemble’s tight interplay. Land continued to evolve stylistically throughout his career, later embracing Coltrane-inspired modalism while retaining a uniquely introspective voice. Though underrated compared to peers, Land's playing on “Daahoud” cements his status as a vital figure in modern jazz history.

Clifford and Max Roach

The Trumpet Summit Meets The Oscar Peterson Big Four

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(77)- “D Natural Blues” and Wes Montgomery

Standards Rating 7 Difficulty 6

Wes Montgomery, a self-taught jazz guitarist born in 1923, became a major influence in jazz history with his warm tone and signature thumb-picking technique. He gained national attention after joining Lionel Hampton’s band and later formed The Montgomery Brothers. Discovered by Cannonball Adderley, Montgomery recorded key albums like The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery and achieved commercial success in the 1960s with pop-oriented jazz under Creed Taylor. His track “D Natural Blues,” a 12-bar blues in D, showcases his rhythmic sophistication and blues phrasing. The melody features syncopated motifs and a strong use of the flat 3rd, while the harmony includes a classic blues progression with some variations. Montgomery’s solo incorporates single-line runs, octave playing, and double-time feel. His legacy lives on through tributes by artists like George Benson and Emily Remler, whose live version of “D Natural Blues” honors Montgomery’s style. He died in 1968 at 45, leaving a profound musical legacy.

Wes Mongomery

Emily Remler

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Bass legend Marcus Miller is renowned for his groundbreaking work with artists such as Miles Davis, Luther Vandross, Herbie Hancock, and David Sanborn. Miller helped redefine the electric bass with his distinctive slap technique, compositional depth, and genre-crossing sound. In this interview, Miller discusses adapting to the rise of drum machines and synthesizers in the studio, finding his voice on electric bass rather than upright bass, and drawing inspiration from both the jazz and funk traditions. Miller shares stories from his time with Miles Davis, including the creation of the iconic Tutu album, and offers powerful advice to young musicians about the importance of individuality over imitation. As he prepares to release new music with his current touring band, Miller remains a vital and forward-thinking artist.