Broadway and Oscar Peterson

11/03/24 • 15 min

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45-“Broadway” and Oscar Peterson Standards Rating 6 Difficulty Rating 4 Oscar Peterson, a virtuoso jazz pianist from Montreal, was known for his swift, intricate runs and rhythmic precision, drawing influence from Art Tatum and Nat King Cole. His style and mastery shone especially in trio settings, often alongside bassist Ray Brown and guitarist Herb Ellis. Peterson's collaborations with Norman Granz in the 1950s, particularly in the Jazz at the Philharmonic series, solidified his international reputation. Peterson’s discography highlights his 1955 recording of the jazz standard “Broadway” on Oscar Peterson Plays Count Basie. Backed by Brown, Ellis, and drummer Buddy Rich, Peterson opens with a steady, Basie-inspired groove. The track’s 32-bar AABA form and Tin Pan Alley-inspired chord progressions create ample room for improvisation. Ellis’s solo adds a bluesy swing, while Peterson's solo is lively but restrained, perfectly capturing the energy and elegance that marked his approach to jazz. Oscar Peterson https://youtu.be/Ho1FZjum-Uw?si=opB53N5FlchGUFOl Ella Fitzgerald https://youtu.be/aIB7Ozx45r0?si=s4KCFeqZYZGwjVVs Jazz Real Book Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5bla6DuepTMq3kdzUlXTy7?si=VW3-VdNzTd-dS7h_mvJFxw

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Broad Way Blues and Ornette Coleman

45-“Broad Way Blues” and Ornette Coleman

Standards Rating 5 Difficulty Rating 6

Ornette Coleman was a pioneering jazz figure known for breaking traditional boundaries with his radical approach to improvisation and composition. His 1959 album The Shape of Jazz to Come introduced free jazz, where he abandoned chord changes and rigid structures, allowing musicians more freedom. His work at New York's Five Spot Café with a groundbreaking quartet helped establish his status as a revolutionary in modern jazz. Coleman's 1961 album Free Jazz: A Collective Improvisation further pushed these boundaries with group improvisation, sparking praise and controversy.

One of his notable compositions, "Broadway Blues," features bluesy elements mixed with free improvisation. His 1968 album New York Is Now! blended avant-garde and post-bop, showing his continued evolution. Guitarist Pat Metheny later interpreted Coleman’s "Broadway Blues," reflecting Coleman's profound influence on later jazz artists, particularly through their 1985 collaboration Song X, which merged their experimental styles.

Ornette Coleman https://youtu.be/ue0XTgUx24o?si=v9ny2p9IU_UcE-1M

Pat Metheny https://youtu.be/eciUMTPmzm0?si=3JKlbTJfrtBqkvle

Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5bla6DuepTMq3kdzUlXTy7?si=kjHm7muGQB6O2jIs5623hw

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But Beautiful and Stan Getz

46 -“But Beautiful” and Stan Getz

Standards Rating 7 -Difficulty Rating 6

“But Beautiful,” composed by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Johnny Burke in 1947, is a classic ballad celebrated for its lyrical melody and complex harmonic progressions. The song’s 32-bar form in G major features rich ii-V movements and subtle key shifts that add a sense of harmonic intrigue. Notable recordings include renditions by Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra, each capturing the song's emotional essence.

Stan Getz, renowned for his warm, lyrical tenor saxophone tone, recorded a memorable version of “But Beautiful” with pianist Bill Evans in 1964. This recording, released in 1973, also features Ron Carter on bass and Elvin Jones on drums. Evans introduces the melody delicately, creating a serene atmosphere. Getz’s entrance is marked by his signature smooth sound, bringing emotional depth to the piece. His expressive solos, complemented by Evans’s harmonic sensitivity, beautifully balance grace and complexity, exemplifying Getz’s lasting impact on jazz.

Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5bla6DuepTMq3kdzUlXTy7?si=KM1g5VEfSxmpKuplKnHDhg

Stan Getz and Bill Evans https://youtu.be/fl6aEZ47AVs?si=ObyZdd5DEHyv-BXT

Billie Holliday https://youtu.be/ihBfxVcVEPY?si=_Uc9o0aL48owSEUH