Donna Lee

Phil · 7:07AM

One of my favorite tunes, how could it not be! I remember first hearing it in the 70s at a local jazz club in Northern England being attempted and then played, (after 3 false starts), in unison by 3 saxophones!!! I then discovered an incredible version featuring pianist Kenny Drew, Svend Asmussen(violin) and ace double bassist Niels Pedersen (NHOP) with Svend & Niels playing the head out in unison, leaving me gob-smacked! Check it out here:

https://youtu.be/WbBoNACvLpw?si=cqdgXJHkdmWaJXdP

Since then I've always been drawn to the brilliance of this composition and amazed that musicians can play it.

The tune of course was immortalized by the great Jaco Pastorius🙏...there's also a stunning solo version by Frank Vignola on his "Blues for a Gypsy " album.

I'm regularly drawn to this amazing feat with Benoit & Adrien:

https://youtu.be/TS6FawH3MZ4?si=xynLZ-e24RCkHBm_

It's a tune I thought I'd never be able to play, yet it's been in my head for many years, so I finally sat down and learned it! I've been working on it for over a year. I can manage it, on a good day at 120bpm and with a couple of strong IPAs it starts sound better and better😁! As a buddy said " How much dope was Charlie Parker on when he composed this tune!" Either way, it's an incredible tune and it gives me great pleasure to have learned a "version" of it.

Anyone else play it, learning it, want to learn it, have a favorite version?

Cheers!

Phil