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.

The Saxophone Trio. part one

have bike, will travel

Yesterday we spoke about the trio combination of saxophone, bass and drums. It’s certainly not your most common form of trio, but once you start thinking about it (as I did last night as I sipped a northern IPA) you’ll realize there are no shortage of fantastic examples of the saxophone trio.

I think we should look into this phenomenon over the coming weeks.

There’s a lot to like about a sax trio. Well…if you don’t go for saxophone music in general for some reason, and I know there’s some people so afflicted out there in the world…then move on. You won’t go for a sax trio. For the rest of us, let's break it down.

What I like is that each piece is so integral. This is not a lush quintet with a three piece rhythm section and a couple of horns. No, this is lean. It’s immediate. You need to be one damn fine sax player to make it work and it helps if your two-piece rhythm section is skilled too. You’re going to need everyone at the top of their game to make it work.

Last night’s example was led by Dexter Gordon. I was listening to the album Lullaby for a Monster (SteepleChase, 1981, recorded 1976)

He’s a jazz giant, of course, and there’s a biography of him called The Sophisticated Giant, so I guess he had class as well. Or maybe they’re talking about his playing. Sophisticated could work as an adjective. He was also damned tall, though 6’6” isn’t quite giant. Close enough I guess.

the jazz man and jazz dog

The band on Lullaby for a Monster is:

Dexter Gordon-tenor saxophone

Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen-bass

Alex Riel-drums

Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen is arguably the best jazz bassist Europe ever produced. I might have simply said ‘best bassist’ and cut the ‘jazz’ qualifier, but John Entwistle’s ghost might haunt me if I didn’t at least acknowledge that he might also be in the runner for the ‘Best of Europe’ crown. 

you'd be happy in this trio too

Pedersen is a great bass player, let’s leave it at that and not get too far off topic. Listening to him and Alex Riel is a delight. Riel sounds so much like the great Elvin Jones that I had to check the liner notes to see if it was indeed Coltrane’s favourite behind the skins. It wasn’t. Riel can hold his own in this illustrious company.

Have a listen to the title track. Oh yeah. You’ve got to love Pedersen and Riel’s groove as we lead in. Enjoy this one. I’ll listen to this as I drive home today. Tonight I’ll choose something else though. A bit of lovely chill after a long week. Are you still coming by at 8:30?