Cube Steak – J.J. Johnson

A blues head with a happy sound. The melody, quite simple with a narrow range of pitch, is related to two classic blues lines associated with Charlie Parker, The Jumpin' Blues and The Hymn. In its rhythmic structure, however, Cube Steak is classic J.J. Johnson. It's not a repetitive riff blues head, but the opening phrase is cleverly developed starting in the seventh measure.

Also characteristic of J.J. is the neat, compact arrangement. There is a twelve-measure interlude that, on the recording, is used to launch the two horn solos. This section features a call-and-response between two-measure riffs in the horns and pedal figures in the piano and bass, while the drums play time until a break at the end for the next solo.

Second parts and a Concert Condensed Score are available for the quintet arrangement. The horns alternate, phrase by phrase, between unison and thirds in both the head and interlude. The trombone takes the lead in all the harmonized phrases. Our alto sax second part can be read up an octave as a baritone sax second part.

On the recording, pianist Hank Jones begins by soloing for three choruses of blues in F before modulating to B♭ for the head. Several other blues recorded by J.J. Johnson have key changes like this. Hank comps on the in head but not on the out head until the last chord—another subtle detail characteristic of J.J.'s arranging style. Our audio excerpt includes the last chorus of the piano introduction.