Jonathan Kreisberg's chord melody and solo on "All of You"

This chord melody and solo come from one of my favorite modern trio albums, "Trioing". Kreisbrerg picked a powerhouse rhythm section for his album debut as a leader, Johannes Weidenmueller on bass and drummer Ari Hoenig. If you haven't checked out their instructional video on polyrhythms, Intro to Polyrhythms, make sure you do; it is worth every penny. 

Kreisberg's approach to standard is unique and worth studying, this whole album should be studied and definitely 

listened to endlessly. I will post more transcriptions from this album later on.
                                                                                          

                                                   Jonathan Kreisberg - All of You

Charlie Rouse's Solo on "Rhythm-A-Ning"

This week's solo comes from the great bebop saxophonist Charlie Rouse. He is by far one of my favorite sax players of the bebop era. He was a very intelligent player; he developed ideas organically and only used speed when needed. This version of Monk's rhythm changes contrafact "Rhythm-A-Ning" comes from the classic album Criss Cross. Every song in that album is now a great standard, it is a must have for any player. 

 Charlie Rouse - Rhythm-A-Ning

Lage Lund's Solo on "Wave"

Another solo from the great album "Romantic Latino for Ladies" with pianist Aaron Goldberg, and Matt Brewer and Rodney Green on bass and drums. Lage approaches this bossa as a straight-eights ballad/bolero and of course with his standard reharmonization of the chord progression. Great use of the diminished scale and some big II V I ideas. 

                                     Lage Lund - Wave

Lage Lund's solo on "Corcovado"

This solo comes from Lage Lund's album "Romantic Latino for Ladies" (I know, awful title). This, I believe, is Lage first official recording and despite its title, it is truly a masterpiece. 

Lage approaches Corcovado like he does most standards, reharmonizing the changes to his pleasing. I recommend studying his approach to harmony, it is very interesting. Although the personnel of this album presents Aaron Goldberg on piano and bassist Matt Brewer, he opts to play this as a duet with Rodney Green on drums (he overdubs his solo over his own comping).


                                              Lage Lund - Corcovado

Joe Henderson's solo on "Night and Day"

This is my transcription of Joe Henderson's solo on Night and Day. This track comes from his album "Inner Urge", one of Henderson's greatest albums. It features performances by pianist McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones on drums, and  bassist Bob Cranshaw. Night and Day is a beautiful tune from Cole Porter, originally in the key of Eb but Joe takes it in D major. 

This AAB tune presents the famous half- diminished tritone  progression that everyone should study (#ivø7 – iv – I(3rd in bass) – biii˚ - ii – V7 – I) at the end of both the As and the B section.

Joe's swing is incredible and some of his rhythmic figures are not right on the beat. I did my best to interpret them. 

Joe Henderson - Night and Day

Adam Rogers' solo on "Long Ago and Far Away"

This solo is taken from Adam Rogers' album Art of the Invisible, great quartet date with Edawrd Simon, Scott Colley and Clarence Penn. He takes the original version and adds a couple of bars of 6/4 to the melody (in the middle of the A section and beginning of B section) but keeps the original metric and changes on the solos. There is an intro that is also used as an interlude; you can hear (and see it) at the end of Adam's solo. 

32 bars AB tune in F major. Really fast swing where you can hear Adam's virtuosity, I hope you enjoy it. 

Adam Rogers - Long Ago and Far Away

Sonny Rollins' Solo on "Airegin"

This solo from saxophone colossus Sonny Rollins  is from Miles Davis' album "Bag's Groove". Airegin, a Rollins' original  is a 36 bar tune with an AB form (the A section is 20 bars long). 

Lots of great II V I ideas and plenty of use of the harmonic minor scale.

One of my favorite sax players of all time, and this solo shows you why.

Sonny Rollins - Airegin