(72) “Cotton Tail” and Ben Webster

Standards Ratting 8 Difficulty Rating 5

Ben Webster, born in 1909 in Kansas City, Missouri, was a leading tenor saxophonist of the Swing Era, known for his rich, raspy tone and blues-infused phrasing. Bridging the styles of Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins, he became a key figure in Duke Ellington’s Orchestra during the early 1940s. This period, known as the "Blanton-Webster years," produced some of Ellington’s finest recordings. One standout is “Cotton Tail” (1940), a fast-paced, rhythm-changes-based composition featuring Webster’s iconic two-chorus solo. His playing blends lyrical swing with bold melodic invention, especially in the bridge, where he builds intensity with repeated motifs and upper-register runs. The arrangement showcases Ellington’s mastery and his band’s precision, with standout solos from Harry Carney and Ellington himself. Cotton Tail remains a definitive jazz recording, capturing Webster at his expressive best and solidifying his place in jazz history. Later versions, like Oscar Peterson’s 1959 take, reimagine the tune in a small-group setting.

Duke Ellington

Oscar Peterson Trio

Spotify Playlist

(71) “Coral” and Keith Jarrett

Standards Rating 2 Difficulty Rating 6

Keith Jarrett, born in 1945, is a groundbreaking pianist celebrated for his emotionally charged improvisations and genre-blending artistry. Known for his solo performances and collaborations with jazz legends such as Miles Davis and Charles Lloyd, Jarrett’s work encompasses jazz, classical, and avant-garde traditions. His 1975 Köln Concert is one of the most iconic solo piano recordings in the history of music. Among his compositions, “Coral” stands out as a hauntingly beautiful 8-bar ballad in B♭ major. Reminiscent of Bill Evans, it features a stream-of-consciousness melody and an unpredictable yet harmonically rich progression. The tune unfolds with ii–V sequences, unexpected modulations, and lush voicings, creating a contemplative, floating atmosphere. Its subtle complexity offers both challenge and inspiration for performers. Recorded by vibraphonist Gary Burton in 1978 with Tiger Okoshi and others, “Coral” is reimagined with lyrical beauty and emotional depth, showcasing its enduring appeal and the expressive power of Jarrett’s writing.

Gary Burton Version

John Scofield Version

Spotify Playlist

Sam Sadigursky is widely recognized as one of the most talented clarinetists and reed doublers of his generation. He has released eleven acclaimed albums as a leader and appears on over sixty recordings as a sideman, including numerous Grammy-nominated and Grammy Award-winning projects. A member of the Philip Glass Ensemble, he has also toured and recorded with Brad Mehldau, David Byrne, Bruce Hornsby, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, the Mingus Orchestra, and U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky. From 2017 to 2019, Sadigursky was the onstage clarinetist in the Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Award-winning Broadway production of The Band’s Visit, and he has performed in over twenty other Broadway productions.

Blending Jewish spiritual and Klezmer music with post-minimalist classical, jazz, and elements of American folk, Sadigursky and accordionist/multi-instrumentalist Nathan Koci recently released Volumes IV and V of The Solomon Diaries on Adhyaropa Records. This five-album series reflects on the Borscht Belt—the once-thriving Jewish resort region that helped shape 20th-century American culture—while also exploring contemporary experiences of immigration and Jewish identity.

The Solomon Diaries Volume IV .https://open.spotify.com/album/6aueHALAzKJf0eDoo048ek?si=LVmkM3hhQiSBUJJBb1egAw

The Solomon Diaries Volume V

https://open.spotify.com/album/6dkN03M2qai0xXNC38VTSa?si=bBjX0IVXQQyJO4J1hjKtVA

Enjoy this replay of a 2022 Ron Carter interview conducted for Jersey Jazz Magazine https://njjs.org/magazine/to celebrate the Maestro's 85th Birthday.

View the Interview at https://youtu.be/suzcfI7VznI?si=1vRV-w6KCfuBTBGI

Read the article at https://www.jaysweetmusic.com/blog

(70) “Contemplation” and Ron Carter

Standard Rating 6 Difficulty Rating 6

Ron Carter, born in 1937, is one of the most influential jazz bassists in history, with a career spanning over six decades and more than 2,000 recordings. Originally a cellist from Detroit, Carter switched to bass at 14 and studied at the Eastman School of Music before becoming a staple of the New York jazz scene in the 1960s. His work with Miles Davis’ “Second Great Quintet” solidified his legacy, and he has since led numerous projects, including his Grammy-winning 2022 album Skyline. A dedicated educator at Juilliard since 2008, Carter remains a humble and passionate advocate for lifelong learning in music. “Contemplation,” from McCoy Tyner’s 1967 album The Real McCoy, features Carter’s signature bass work and showcases his subtlety and depth. The piece is a meditative 16-bar waltz in C minor, with a minimalist bass line built on just three notes—C, F, and G—creating a grounded, reflective mood. The melody, played by Joe Henderson, is sparse and introspective, while Tyner’s harmonic language offers modal richness and emotional depth. Carter’s solo is melodic and thoughtful, aligning with the tune’s mood. A 2003 reimagining on Land of Giants features Bobby Hutcherson on vibraphone, offering a fresh take on this timeless composition.

McCoy Tyner-The Real McCoy

McCoy Tyner -Land of Giant

The Jazz Real Book

(69) “Confirmation” and Max Roach

Standards Rating 8 Difficulty Rating 8

Max Roach (1924–2007) was a pioneering jazz drummer and composer who played a key role in shaping modern jazz. Raised in Brooklyn and classically trained at the Manhattan School of Music, Roach rose to prominence at 18 when he filled in for Duke Ellington’s drummer. A central figure in the bebop movement, he collaborated with icons like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis, helping redefine the drummer’s role as a melodic and expressive force. Roach co-led a quintet with trumpeter Clifford Brown, merging bebop with gospel and blues to form hard bop. His 1960 work We Insist! Freedom Now Suite boldly addressed civil rights through music. In 1970, Roach continued innovating by founding M’Boom, a percussion ensemble exploring rhythmic textures. He also devoted himself to education and received many honors for his lasting contributions to jazz. Charlie Parker’s bebop standard “Confirmation” exemplifies the genre’s complexity, with rapid ii-V progressions and surprising resolutions in a 32-bar F major form.

Charlie Parker

Gillespie and Parker

Spotify Playlist

(S4 Ep18) The Real McCoy (Blue Note)

October 1967, Recorded April 21, 1967

The Real McCoy (1967) is a landmark album by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner, marking his first solo release after leaving John Coltrane’s legendary quartet. With a stellar lineup featuring tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Elvin Jones, the album showcases Tyner's unique modal jazz style, blending African rhythmic influences and his signature wide interval voicings. The album’s compositions, all written by Tyner wrote, demonstrate his incredible range as a pianist and composer, with tracks like "Passion Dance" and "Contemplation" now regarded as jazz standards. The interplay between the musicians is dynamic, with Henderson's fluid solos, Carter's solid bass work, and Jones's explosive drumming providing a perfect backdrop for Tyner's improvisations. The album balances uptempo tracks, like "Four by Five," with slower, more meditative pieces, such as "Search for Peace," highlighting Tyner’s ability to navigate diverse moods and textures. The Real McCoy is widely praised for its deep emotional resonance and technical brilliance, solidifying McCoy Tyner as one of his generation's most influential jazz pianists.

Signature Tracks: "Passion Dance", "Contemplation", "Four By Five"

Full Album YouTube Spotify

Playlist YouTube Spotify

(68) “Conception” and George Shearing

Standards Rating 5 Difficulty Rating 9

George Shearing, a blind British jazz pianist and composer, is celebrated for his significant contributions to jazz, particularly his distinctive harmonic style. Born in 1919 in London, Shearing's musical journey began early, despite his blindness, and his exceptional talents led him to international acclaim. In the 1940s, he moved to the United States, where his work, including the creation of the George Shearing Quintet, solidified his place in jazz history. His compositions, including "Lullaby of Birdland" and "Conception," are revered for their complex harmonies and innovative structures. "Conception," composed in 1949, exemplifies Shearing's bebop influence and harmonic creativity. This challenging 44-bar composition is notorious for its intricate melodies filled with accidentals, fast chromatic movements, and frequent key shifts. Set in the difficult key of Db, it presents a formidable challenge for any jazz musician. The tune's harmony is dense, and the melody is note-heavy, making it one of the hardest melodies in the Real Book.

George Shearing

Miles Davis

Spotify Playlist