Tanya sounds like Dat Dere

Dexter's a class act

As recent posts will attest, Dexter Gordon has been on my mind lately and I’ve been listening to him a lot. One track in particular caught my ear; it’s one of my favourites. 'Tanya' from the album One Flight Up (Blue Note 1964). It’s another fantastic album with another amazing band.

Dexter Gordon - tenor saxophone

Donald Byrd - trumpet

Kenny Drew - piano

Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen - bass

Art Taylor – drums

I highly recommend the album and encourage you to listen to it as soon as possible.

This morning as I was grooving to 'Tanya' on my way to work, a strange thing happened. I realized that the catchy chorus sounds almost identical to Bobby Timmons’ song 'Dat Dere'. 'Dat Dere' was initially released on This Here Is Bobby Timmons (Riverside, 1960) has been recorded many times and it’s a great tune. 'Tanya' was written by Donald Byrd.

one of the best jazz album covers

I know that the theme doesn’t make the song and that Tanya is 18+ minutes of goodness, but there are similarities there. Borrowing from songs that came before is a natural part of music, especially jazz, so I don’t begrudge Donald Byrd or Dexter Gordon. Maybe he swiped the tune inadvertently, or maybe he loved 'Dat Dere' and wrote his theme as an homage.

I think you should come over and we can crack a craft beer and listen to the songs back to back. I’d appreciate your opinion. How about 8:30 once the kids go to bed?

In case you want to listen ahead of time and formulate some discussion points, here's Tanya and Dat Dere.

Bobby Timmons Is A Name You Should Know

well-dressed and amazing

If you are even a semi-fan of jazz, surely you enjoy the music of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. They went through many encarnations over the years but one of the best groups ever was the one he put together in the late 50s to early 60s.

Now I've always been drawn to this music for the front line of Lee Morgan on trumpet and Wayne Shorter on tenor, but there was someone in that band who I never gave his due: Bobby Timmons on piano.

Not only did he have an incredible acuity, he was also an incredible songwriter. Have a listen to the Jazz Messengers playing his classic 'Dat Dere'.

If that doesn't get your feet tapping you are no friend of mine. I know that must seem harsh, but even I, as easy-going as I am, have my limits. Wayne Shorter plays a killer solo doesn't he? Then Lee does his usual magic, then at 5:05 you've got Mr. Bobby Timmons himself. Incredible.

His solo recordings are equally wonderful and worth seeking out. How about another classic, 'Moanin' recorded in a trio setting? Man, don't you wish you could play like that? Well, maybe you are that good, I don't know. As for me, I'll be content to listen to Timmons and it will help warm me on this -40C day.

Like so many in jazz, he died far too young but let's think about the music he made during his 38 years instead of his early exit, shall we?


He could play, he could write.