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Solo Transcriptions
New for January 2007—This month I am very happy to add four solo transcriptions of Steve Grossman, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Farrell, and Teddy Edwards. I’m reasonably sure they are not published anywhere, but these transcribed solos—three blues and a standard—are all great performances from somewhat underappreciated artists. Perhaps even more important is the fact that my good friend and exceptional composer/arranger Sandy Megas (need superb jazz arrangements for almost any instrumentation? Click here) has taken my original scrawlings and input them “step-time” using Cubase (version 3.05!), thereby creating clear transcriptions with undoubtedly greatly improved accuracy. I am hopeful that if I ask him very nicely and barbeque lots of steak over the next several months, he will similarly input some of the less presentable efforts currently found on this page….Anyway, scroll down and look for the New! solos just added below, and again, I welcome your comments or questions regarding any of these transcriptions.
New for November 2006—Well, according to this site’s statistics, some of you seem to have been able to use these solos, so I’ve once again dug through the backyard shed and have been suitably rewarded by finding a box containing additional transcriptions. Scroll down and look for the New! solos; you’ll find Kenny Garrett, Woody Shaw, Freddie Hubbard, and Branford Marsalis. In the near future I will also re-write some Steve Grossman, Stanley Turrentine, Coltrane, Joe Farrell, and Teddy Edwards—these are all great solos, but unfortunately the notation quality definitely left something to be desired. So check back soon for these, as well as more Dexter, Stitt, etc.
Here are many of the transcriptions I wrote out while still in high school and college. As such, these are somewhat different than the perfect-copy solos found on most websites—personal computers were only a dream at that time, so I had to do it the old-fashioned way (with plenty of erasers on hand). I now have neither the time (nor the inclination) to re-do these using some program or something, but I’m publishing them here in the hope that musicians at many levels can find something to be of value. If you can get past the awkward scribbles of the earlier attempts, the soda stains, copies of copies, and random shades and sizes of staff paper, I think there’s enough material here to make a visit worthwhile.
I make no warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy of the transcriptions. Having said that, I think they are fairly precise, given the method employed (using the family stereo and dropping the needle until everyone else left the house!) Many of them are blues solos, of course, because I was familiar with the changes, and besides, blues are the foundation of jazz. Any other chord changes were probably obtained from Aebersolds or the Real Book, and all are in tenor key (concert Bb).
Most of my favorite musicians are represented, and, predictably, tend to be tenor players. With the proliferation of transcription books over the past few decades, some (if not many) of these solos have subsequently been published by others--with varying degrees of success, to my mind. If you happen to be starting out in jazz, I can’t encourage you strongly enough to go out and get the original recordings of these (or any other) solos—without hearing them, you’re missing much of the artists’ work. You can order several of the source CD’s directly from the associated label by clicking the CD images below.
If you find that you can benefit from these transcriptions, please bookmark my site and check back from time to time. I also have some great Woody Shaw, Steve Grossman, and Kenny Garrett that must be in another box out in the shed somewhere, along with who knows what else. Also, I’d be interested in hearing how you’re using them; drop me an e-mail via the Contact page…..
Dexter Gordon
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Society Red From Dexter’s Blue Note side, “Doin’ Allright.” Straightahead blues in “G.” Great bebop lines! |
Click image to order this recommended CD from Concord Music Group
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Lady Bird (Dameron; Consolidated Music-ASCAP) I recently bought Dexter’s complete Prestige box set, and thought, “I’ll have to check out Dexter’s Lady Bird solo!” Then, when going through these transcriptions, I found that I had already written it out years ago! This tells me two things: one, I like what I like, and two, I’m getting old…….not incidentally, James Moody sounds great on this cut as well….from Dexter’s original LP “More Power!” |
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Gingerbread Boy This is on the “Homecoming” disc (a favorite of many listeners, apparently—me included). An extended “C” blues—all Dexter (sorry about the spills—it is what it is….) |
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Blue Monk More blues in “G”, this time from a fairly obscure live album that I think was called “The Rainbow People” (I could be wrong). |
Sonny Stitt
John Coltrane
Steve Grossman
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New! The More I See You I am occasionally reminded of how many musicians, including tenor players, remain largely unfamiliar with Steve Grossman’s masterful playing. Perhaps this is partially due to the fact that he has resided in Italy for several years, although many of his recordings do seem to be widely available. This solo is from a truly great bebop session called “Do It” with Barry Harris on piano. In fact, the recording is so good that a recent solo transcription book includes six of Grossman’s solos from the date - click here for more details. Out of respect for my fellow transcriber, I won’t publish any other solos from this CD,
but you can have “The More I See You” for free (it’s not in the book), and it’s highly recommended that you check out the recording, and this solo, and the book….. |
Johnny Griffin
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Blues Up And Down This was originally issued on a Dexter Gordon side called “Great Encounters,” but to my mind was then more properly included in Dexter’s “Live At Carnegie Hall.” Dexter and Johnny Griffin playing “European…Soul…Tenor”—does it get any better than that? As much as I love Dexter, I wanted to check out Johnny Griffin on this, and it was well worth the effort. |
Hank Mobley
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All The Things You Are A great solo on this standard, from Johnny Griffin’s “A Blowing Session.” I think there are several transcriptions of this solo online, and understandably so. |
Stanley Turrentine
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New! Pia When I occasionally start to think that all tenor players sound the same, I put on some Stanley Turrentine. He was a great example of someone with a unique voice on his instrument. This swinging blues in “D” is from his early ‘60’s Blue Note recording, “That’s Where It’s At.” Nothing too crazy here, just great blues—like only he could play them. (A side note for Redlands readers—years ago, as an aspiring but young and very unaware saxophonist, I figured I’d practice this solo in the park between Smiley Library and the Lincoln Shrine—starting at about two in the morning! I was quickly reminded that “my practice area” was only a block from the police station—brilliant, huh?) |
Bill Pierce
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That’s All Usually a ballad, this version was taken up on a James Williams session, “Everything I Love.” There are some great bebop ideas here (you supply the changes!) I used to hear Bill Pierce with Tony Williams’ band when they came to Catalina’s in Hollywood—those were some incredible nights! |
Ralph Moore
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Nica’s Dream To my ears, Ralph Moore has had his own thing going on since his earliest recordings. His unique sound, impeccable time, and logical ideas warrant repeated listening. Here’s a solo on Horace Silver’s jazz classic, from the “Superblue2” CD. |
Joe Farrell
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New! Sonic Text (Farrell; Music In One-BMI) I think Joe Farrell just burns on this tune, which is an original up blues in “F.” It’s an intriguing mix of pentatonics, bebop, fourths, and simple blues motifs. I’m guessing that many tenor players turn to “Blue Train” as a source for blues in this key; here is an alternative that definitely stands up to in-depth analysis (if you’re so inclined). Farrell is another player that doesn’t seem to get a lot of recognition, perhaps because he was based in Los Angeles for many years, and passed way too early. But if you’ve not heard him—check it out! Incidentally, for you trumpet players, Freddie Hubbard is on fire on this track as well….. |
Teddy Edwards
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New! The Sermon (Hawes; Contemporary Music-BMI) I remember back in high school lying out by the neighbor’s pool, hearing the legendary Los Angeles disc jockey Chuck Niles play this track on radio station KKGO and thinking, “I wish I could play like that!” So I went out, bought the record, and this transcription is the result. It’s a straightahead, swinging blues in “C”, and has some great bebop lines from tenor jazz master Teddy Edwards; the tune is from his solid “Teddy’s Ready!” recording. The solo is definitely a worthy addition to the other “C” blues transcriptions on this page. Now it’s 25 years later—and I still wish I could play like that! |
Ernie Watts
Click image to order this recommended CD from Concord Music Group
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Byrdlike (Hubbard; Brother Hubbard-BMI) This is from George Cables’ impressive 1979 recording “Cables’ Vision.” I was drawn to the energy and interesting lines of Ernie Watts’ solo on this blues in “G.” This is another instance in which hearing the actual recording makes a big difference. An intriguing, personal solo from a solid album. |
Branford Marsalis
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New! No Sidestepping Here’s an early Branford, from his “Scenes In The City” recording. The changes are not “official,” but came from a reliable source… |
Kenny Garrett
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New! The Moontrane OK, OK, everybody wants Kenny Garrett solos—so, here you go. I don’t think I’ve seen this and the following published anywhere; they’re from the Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw recording, “The Eternal Triangle”, and are in alto key (Eb). I used to play some alto back in the day, but one time I sold it and my specially-selected, top-of-the-line professional Buffet clarinet to pay the rent. I sure do miss that alto… |
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New! Tomorrow’s Destiny Also in alto key, and also from “The Eternal Triangle.” How about it, Blue Note? Time for another reissue of the “Double Take” and “Eternal Triangle” sessions—everyone should have access to these incredible recordings! |
Freddie Hubbard
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It’s You Or No One For all you non-saxophonists, here’s one for variety. This is also from Dexter Gordon’s “Doin’ Allright” record. Freddie and Dexter—a great combination. |
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New! Children Of The Night Freddie seems like he’s just blowing effortlessly through these changes—a great solo. The track is from the Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers recording entitled “Mosaic.” |
Woody Shaw
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New! If I Were A Bell If ever there was anyone who could play what he heard, it was Woody Shaw—and he heard everything. This uptempo solo is from a fairly late Woody Shaw date called “Imagination.” |
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New! Steve’s Blues Looking for some new ideas over blues in “G”? Check out this short but memorable solo, also from “Imagination.” (Now where are all those transcriptions I did from “Solid”?!) |
Miles Davis
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