“Detour Ahead” and Herb Ellis

Standards Rating 6 Difficulty Rating 6

Herb Ellis (1921–2010) was a seminal American jazz guitarist best known for his tenure with the Oscar Peterson Trio in the 1950s. Known for blending bebop fluency with a blues-infused swing style, Ellis was praised for his rhythmic precision, melodic clarity, and ability to seamlessly complement virtuoso ensembles. A native of Texas and a student of North Texas State University, Ellis gained early recognition with the Soft Winds trio, where he co-wrote the jazz standard “Detour Ahead.”

“Detour Ahead” is a lyrically rich, harmonically sophisticated ballad that uses the metaphor of a winding road to reflect romantic vulnerability. Written in 1948 with Lou Carter and Johnny Frigo, the tune is structured in a 34-bar AABA form and features nuanced harmonic shifts and melodic tension. It remains a favorite among vocalists and instrumentalists alike, reflecting Ellis’s gift for subtle emotional depth and his lasting influence on jazz composition and guitar artistry.

Soft Winds

Herb Ellis

Jazz Real Book Playlist

Seth Abramson has been appointed as the inaugural Director of Jazz Awards at The Gilmore, where he will oversee the newly established Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Awards for outstanding jazz pianists. A celebrated producer, presenter, and musician, Abramson brings decades of experience discovering and supporting major artists including Jon Batiste, Robert Glasper, Esperanza Spalding, and Jason Moran. He has produced Grammy-winning and nominated recordings and presented concerts for top-tier talent across prestigious venues and events. In his new role, Abramson will lead the nomination and selection process for two major jazz honors: the Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Award, presented every four years with a $300,000 prize, and the Larry J. Bell Young Jazz Artist Award, awarding $25,000 biennially to promising American pianists aged 22 and under. Funded by an $8 million endowment from Bell’s Brewery founder and Gilmore Board President Larry J. Bell, the first awards will be announced in 2026. Learn more at thegilmore.org.

(E85) “Dedicated To You” and Johnny Hartman

Standards Rating 5 Difficulty Rating 6

Johnny Hartman, born in 1923 in Chicago, was a jazz vocalist known for his smooth baritone and emotional delivery, particularly on romantic ballads. Though underrecognized in his lifetime, he earned deep respect from jazz musicians and critics. His defining moment came in 1963 with the release of John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, featuring the iconic track “Dedicated to You.” Originally composed in 1936, the song is a 32-bar ballad in B♭ major, rich in harmonic nuance and emotional tension. Hartman’s interpretation, paired with Coltrane’s lyrical saxophone and McCoy Tyner’s piano, brought the tune new artistic depth. The arrangement showcases clever melodic symmetry, expressive harmonic shifts, and subtle use of dissonance and resolution. Despite limited fame, Hartman’s voice found renewed appreciation through film and reissues. His work, especially on “Dedicated to You,” remains a masterclass in jazz ballad performance, securing his place in jazz history.

Johnny Hartman and John Coltrane

Freddie Hubbard