Trombone Shorty, Backatown

 

Download the PDF: Bass Clef, Concert, Bb, Eb

Rhythm. What can be more definitive in music? Rhythm is what drives music forward, particularly in music that derived from African roots like jazz. Trombone Shorty knows all about rhythm. He’s one of those New Orleans guys who never really shook that New Orleans attitude in his playing (thankfully). Trombone Shorty’s playing on this track especially, is derived from New Orleans Brass Band trombone playing. He approaches his solo very rhythmically, and doesn’t vary the notes he uses hardly at all. I think he steps outside the notes of the Eb minor pentatonic scale maybe once in this entire solo. The information is not in the note choice, but in the rhythmic development. Continue reading

Curtis Fuller, Blues March

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Download the PDF: Treble Cleff, Bass Cleff

Blues March, written by Benny Golson and performed by the Jazztet: Art Farmer, trumpet; Benny Golson, tenor sax; Curtis Fuller, trombone; McCoy Tyner, piano; Addison Farmer, bass; Lex Humphries, drums.  From Meet the Jazztet (LP), recorded 1960, re-released (CD) 1991 by Geffen Records.

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