Bass Corner

57 years of music in one week

The dog days of summer are here. We're marking the start of August with a release that features our classic repertoire and highlights some of our special projects. This week's releases concentrates on important recording anniversaries. Classic recordings like Clifford Brown's Daahoud and Joy Spring (now available in F in addition to the E-flat version added earlier this summer) with details to these classics that are frequently overlooked. We've also added a new vocal selection: Jon Hendricks's lyric to Moanin' by Bobby Timmons.
Three more of our composers recorded four years ago this week in what we call our "Duos with Daryl" in a project with the extremely talented young bassist, Daryl Johns, who had just turned 15 years old at the time. We're releasing three pieces, two of which have only been recorded as part of this project, to commemorate the anniversary: Red Sky Waltz (Don Friedman), Silk (Norman Simmons), and Blues Scam (Richard Wyands).
To celebrate their birthdays this week, we are also adding A Laugh For Rory (Rahsaan Roland Kirk) and Smoke Signal (John Webber).
This release celebrates music recorded from 1954 to 2011 -- a diverse and exciting selection:

CLIFFORD BROWN: Daahoud
How well do you know Daahoud? Try it exactly how the quintet played it. Two Clifford Brown trumpet solos available.

CLIFFORD BROWN: Joy Spring
Think you know Joy Spring? Think again! New lead sheets in F available. Clifford Brown trumpet solo transcriptions available: master and alt takes from the quintet version (B-flat and C editions); septet version (B-flat and C editions).

BOBBY TIMMONS & JON HENDRICKS: Moanin'
A gospel-inspired lyric on a soul-jazz classic.

RICHARD WYANDS: Blues Scam
Angular hard-bop blues with a bridge. Piano-bass duo score available. This piece has never been recorded before. From the Duos With Daryl series; a jazzleadsheets.com audio exclusive.

NORMAN SIMMONS: Silk
Smooth rhythm changes. Piano-bass duo score available. This piece has also never been recorded before. From the Duos With Daryl series; a jazzleadsheets.com audio exclusive.

DON FRIEDMAN: Red Sky Waltz
Flowing & lovely with changing meter. Piano-bass duo score available. From the Duos With Daryl series; a jazzleadsheets.com audio exclusive.

RAHSAAN ROLAND KIRK: A Laugh For Rory
Simple & modal, in two-part harmony. First and second parts available.

JOHN WEBBER: Smoke Signal
A modern head with many rhythm section hits in the head.
Transcriptions, vocals, and much more

This diverse update has a bit of something for everyone. If you've been waiting for new vocal music, this is your week! We're excited to add new pieces by Sergio Mihanovich and Ruby Braff for voice this week. Instrumentalists can enjoy these pieces as well, of course -- as well as the other six new additions this week. With a solo transcription of Art Farmer, David Hazeltine's own solo piano arrangement, and new original quintet arrangements, these new titles have it all.

SERGIO MIHANOVICH: Sometime Ago
A wistful classic for singers and instrumentalists. Art Farmer's solo transcription available, as is a vocal lead sheet.

AL COHN: Something For Lisa
Medium swing in a cool jazz style. Chet Baker's quintet arrangement available.

GIGI GRYCE: Exhibit A
A rhythm changes head with a twist on the bridge. Try Gigi's own arrangement.

DAVID HAZELTINE: Ann's Mood
Tonal and beautiful with a cyclical form.

DAVID HAZELTINE: Pentimento
Charming post-bop bossa. Solo piano arrangement available.

RUBY BRAFF: We're All Through
A sultry medium swing with a lyric describing a relationship's end. Vocal lead sheet available.

ERIC ALEXANDER: Little Lucas
A modal composition with great flexibility.

IDREES SULIEMAN: Tell Me What's Your Name
A thoughtful, tender ballad.
Nine new titles at jazzleadsheets.com

Another week means one thing at jazzleadsheets.com: new music. This week, we're proud to introduce three important new composers: pianist Buddy Montgomery, alto saxophonist Jerry Dodgion and trumpeter Ryan Kisor. It's a massive update with nine new titles in all by a wide range of composers from Hank Mobley to Cecilia Coleman. Make sure to check out this week's videos -- this update has exclusives from jazzleadsheets.com that feature the composers themselves with rising young artists.

Here are this week's new titles:

HANK MOBLEY: Space Flight
Classic early Mobley: burning fast rhythm changes. Full quintet arrangement available.

SONNY CLARK: Dial S For Sonny
12 bars of hard bop with a stop time head.

BUDDY MONTOMGERY: Here Again
A hard bop swinger.

RYAN KISOR: Horror Show
A challenging workout for any instrument.

HAROLD LAND: Reflections
Simple melody, challenging form. First, second and bass parts available.

HAROLD LAND: As You Like It
A twist on rhythm changes. First and second parts available.

CECILIA COLEMAN: So You Say
A modern take on "You Stepped Out Of A Dream." Lead sheets and piano-bass duo available.

DONALD BROWN: Havana Days
Modal, modern uptempo Latin. Solo piano arrangement available.

JERRY DODGION: Holunderkuchen
A minor blues that switches between 3/4 and 4/4.

Looking for something more visual? Browse the album covers in the gallery on the Albums page! To get there, click "FEATURES" in the top navigation bar, then "Albums" in the drop-down menu.
Joy Spring, new composers and more hits

Many people have enjoyed the solo transcriptions of Clifford Brown on his classic composition "Joy Spring," but we've often been asked where the lead sheets are. Until now, you've only been able to purchase the arrangement through Second Floor Music's sheet music affiliates, but we've now made individual lead sheets available for everyone in the original key in honor of the 61st anniversary of the septet recording. On top of that, we're adding two new composers this week: tenor saxophonist Ernie Wilkins and pianist Eddie Higgins. With additions to the Piano Corner, Bass Corner, and new quintet arrangements, this update may just raise the temperature a little more on this hot July week.

CLIFFORD BROWN: Joy Spring

The classic bop standard -- now available in the original key, plus Clifford Brown's trumpet solo from the septet recording.

J.J. JOHNSON: NWPT

Rhythm changes with a twist. Original quintet arrangement available.

DON PATTERSON & SONNY STITT: Aries

A laid-back, swinging ballad in two keys.

GRACHAN MONCUR: Thandiwa

A quirky waltz with first and second parts available.

ERNIE WILKINS: Far Out East

This bop melody has a serious swing.

EDDIE HIGGINS: Shinjuku Twilight

Charming and sweet with Japanese flair.

RONNIE MATHEWS: John Charles

A post-bop blues that features the bass.

RONNIE MATHEWS: Salima's Dance

Blues-like, with an even-8ths 3/4 groove. Solo Piano Arrangement available.

RAHSAAN ROLAND KIRK: Funk Underneath

A simple laid-back riff blues.

Plus, celebrate Hank Mobley's birthday (this past Tuesday, July 7) by checking out our extensive catalog of Hank Mobley lead sheets.
Welcome to the new jazzleadsheets.com!

The wait is over . . . it's here!

The big day has finally come: our new website is live on jazzleadsheets.com!

Visit us now to see the brand new look and new features -- and new composers and music! Our new website includes an easy search function always at the top right of every page, embedded videos, expanded instrumental sections, new payment options (now including PayPal), and a mobile-friendly design. We now feature special content on our homepage, so be sure to click the dots at the bottom of the new arrivals graphic to browse this week's exclusive videos.

We hope you enjoy this revamp as much as we do. If you have any suggestions, click here to let us know what you think. We'd love to hear from you.
It wouldn't be a news update from jazzleadsheets.com without new music. Here are our first releases of the summer.

RAHSAAN ROLAND KIRK: Serenade To A Cuckoo
A sunny and whimsical swing featuring a video of Rahsaan Roland Kirk on flute.

SLIDE HAMPTON: Frame For The Blues
This sultry slow blues is a classic. See three moving video performances.

ROY HARGROVE: Mental Phrasing
A fusion of modern jazz, hard bop, and Latin.

JIM MCNEELY: Over The Edge
A versatile samba with video of Jim McNeely & Stan Getz. Solo piano arrangement and exclusive audio track available.

DON SICKLER: Tempo di Max
A Don Sickler original with Minus You audio and a solo piano arrangement. See a 13 year-old Daryl Johns play at lightning speeds!

RICHARD WYANDS: Yes It Is
A syncopated swinger with exclusive audio and video.

DOUG WATKINS: Bet
Bass and trumpet play this medium swing melody. There's Minus You audio for every instrument.

JIM ROTONDI: Miller Time
A cool and relaxed hard bop.

BILL BARRON: Tone Colors
Modern and striking!

AL COHN: The Note
Uptempo swing from a melodic master. This chart comes from the Al Cohn/Zoot Sims book -- make your own arrangement with our 1st and 2nd parts.

Enjoy the music,
Don Sickler and the jazzleadsheets.com team
Hot this summer: new composers and big changes

We’re gearing up for some exciting new changes. In late summer/early fall 2014, you’ll be seeing an entirely new look for jazzleadsheets.com, with completely new, intuitive browsing features; a modern, responsive design; and best of all, mobile capabilities — so you can find the music you love no matter where you are! Don’t worry about your account information: it will be migrated over to the new website. We can’t wait to see you over there!

In order to maintain the quality of service you’ve come to expect from us, we’ll be raising our prices with the launch of the new website. We’ve always tried to keep our prices low so as many musicians as possible can enjoy playing our music. But as we keep expanding, we’ve outgrown our current website and need the resources to continue growing and developing this wonderful music. The increase in prices will also support our composers and allow us to start initiatives to promote and produce jazz in new ways while still maintaining accurate, clear, and beautiful lead sheets at a price everyone can enjoy. This fall, keep an eye out for new practice tools, exclusive audio releases, and a rhythm section workshop. With all these great resources and ways to share them, there’s never been a better time to be a jazzleadsheets.com supporter.

What’s hot this summer?

The temperature has been blazing at our office and the music has been just as steamy. We've got three new composers joining our roster, adding to our growing list of contemporary jazz artists with exciting modern music. Of course, it wouldn’t be a true jazzleadsheets.com update without a nod to our classic composers, so start off your summer sets with a pick from the venerable J.J. Johnson: Commutation.

Wayne Escoffery
The newly appointed winner of Downbeat’s Critic’s Poll for Rising Star Tenor Saxophonist joins us with a unique and enrapturing composition. Tell Me Why is sure to renew your set list with its elaborate layers that combine to create a beautiful, sweeping exploration.

Grant Stewart
Hot enough for you? Maybe it’s time to sip on a bit of this Scotch Thing, a supremely cool, relaxed, slow swing. Our editions include lead sheets from two recordings so you can see how the composition adapts to different arrangements. Why not try them both and compare?

David Hazeltine
Our last update welcomed two members of the hard-bop collective One For All, Eric Alexander and Jim Rotondi. Now their accomplished pianist joins us with two exciting compositions. Intended to be played in unison, both One For Peter and Pete’s Sake will challenge your combo to coordinate and work together on quick, bop-influenced lines. Get ready for a wild ride!

Focus On Bass

Are you a bass player, or do you know one who’s looking to get some shedding? Our two David Hazeltine pieces were inspired by the great Peter Washington and both feature full transcriptions of everything he plays on the tracks. Any bass lover should be sure to check out One For Peter and Pete’s Sake! Not enough bass for you? Scotch Thing has a bass solo transcription of Peter Washington as well!

Keep playing the music!

photo credit: ataferner via photopin cc
Get low with these bass features

The bass player is very important in all these new compositions, so they also add to our growing Bass Corner repertoire.

Both Bass-ment by Kenny Drew and The Fuzz by Bobby Jaspar feature the bass playing the melody. Important bass lines that hold the whole arrangement together are found in Bill Hardman’s Jazz Messengers classic Politely and Bobby Watson’s Lemoncello.

Bertha Hope’s Book’s Bok starts with the bass doubling the melody with the piano, and then moves into an important rhythmic accompaniment line. Bertha’s solo piano arrangement is available, as is a recording of it by pianist Glenn Zaleski.

Drummer Billy Drummond’s opening 7/4 bass line had been going over in his head for quite some time before the rest of his composition Dubai came to him. As Billy is one of the gifted drummers who is included in our Drum Corner, we explore both a transcription of his playing behind the melody sections and his soloing over the ending bass line vamp. We also have some 7/4 exercises and groove patterns available.

Check out this video of Billy talking about and playing Dubai! Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more exclusive interviews of composers sharing their perspectives as well as tutorials and performances.
Birthday and anniversary megapost: 10 new products!

This week (more precisely May 20 through May 24) has important anniversaries we want to honor so we’ve expanded our usual five new entries this week to cover ten celebrations.

May 20 is the birthday of drummer/composer Victor Lewis (born in 1950 in Omaha, Nebraska). In honor of Victor’s birthday, here’s his great composition Seventh Avenue . For the drummers among you, in our Drum Corner, you can take a special look at some 7/4 “groove” patterns that Victor used on two different recordings.

When we showed Victor what recordings of jazzleadsheets.com music took place on his birthday over the years, he was blown away. What great birthday presents master drummers gave him, unknowingly, by recording their music on his birthday. Were they omens or just subliminal influences, for a young man who has certainly become one of the great modern drummers?

Here are Victor’s “birthday presents” that we want to share with you.

Ittapnna by drummer Walter Bolden, a new composer to jazzleadsheets: on Victor’s third birthday: May 20, 1953, Walter recorded this on “Howard McGhee, Vol. 2” (Blue Note).

On Victor’s fourth birthday, drummer Art Blakey recorded his Mercury album “Blakey,” (May 20, 1954) featuring these three Gigi Gryce compositions: Minority and Salute To Birdland by Gigi Gryce. The lead sheets have been available for some time but now you can explore Gigi Gryce (alto sax) and Joe Gordon (trumpet) solos for both titles. Plus a new title from that session, Hello, a beautiful ballad.

For Victor’s tenth birthday, May 20, 1960, drummer Philly Joe Jones recorded his album “Philly Joe’s Beat” (Atlantic). Lead sheets for Joe’s Got To Take Another Chance have been available, but now you can check out Philly Joe’s drum transcription.

Another drum master, Louis Hayes, recorded his album “The Real Thing,” on Victor’s 27th birthday, May 20, 1977. This session included Ronnie Mathews’ tour-de-force composition Loose Suite (lead sheet editions plus Ronnie’s solo piano arrangement edition).

I couldn’t stop there, because on May 21, Cleo’s Blues (written and performed by tenor giant Paul Gonsalves) celebrates its 50th recording anniversary.

And on May 22 bassist/composer Jon Burr celebrates a big one, his 60th birthday, joining jazzleadsheets.com. He has a perfect composition for our upcoming Bass Corner: Smokin’ O.P.’s.

And finally, also on May 22 (or maybe it was May 24, the recording info on the liner notes doesn’t specify) pianist James Williams recorded his composition Mr. Day’s Dream (lead sheet editions and James’ Solo Piano Arrangement plus recording by Kenny Drew, Jr.).

Celebrate!
Don Sickler
www.jazzleadsheets.com and www.SecondFloorMusic.com
phone 212-741-1175 email don@secondfloormusic.com
Happy birthday these composers: let's celebrate with new music!

Jazzleadsheets.com’s calendar revealed some important birthdays the last week of April. Two composers are already on jazzleadsheets.com (Johnny Griffin and Tommy Turrentine). This is a perfect time to post another composition for each of them and to introduce the new ones.

April 21, 1932 SLIDE HAMPTON
One of the great trombonists who is also an important composer and arranger. Wikipedia calls Slide “A master composer, arranger and uniquely gifted trombone player.” Sister Salvation.

April 22, 1928 TOMMY TURRENTINE
Tommy was a great composer and trumpet player. His brother Stanley told me that he felt that Tommy was the real musical talent in the family. Tommy wrote this composition for his and Stanley’s sister, Bonnie.

April 22, 1935 PAUL CHAMBERS
The dominant bassist of his generation who was sought after by everyone, he played on over 350 session in his short life. He was also a master of creating melodies that could feature himself along with others in the group, like Ease It.
In honor of Paul’s birthday, we’re announcing jazzleadsheets.com’s jazz Bass Corner which will be launched in full this summer. We are blessed to be involved with many great bass players. Paul and his music will get special attention this summer thanks to a unique Paul Chambers project I had the honor of working on with a truly gifted young bassist, Daryl Johns. Be sure to check out the two clips of Daryl playing “Ease It” when he was thirteen.

April 24, 1928 JOHNNY GRIFFIN
A true “Little Giant” of jazz with a captivating and uplifting personality, and incredible talent as a tenor saxophonist and composer. He wrote and performed this moving ballad for his tribute album to vocalist Billie Holiday, White Gardenia.

April 27, 1917 DENZIL BEST
A gifted pianist and trumpet player (also bassist) who became one of the important drummers of his generation, Denzil Best also composed several jazz standards. Try his Surgery.

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