Quiet Fire – Donald Brown
A charming waltz that builds in energy and intensity.
- Recording: Donald Brown - Early Bird
- Recorded on: June 4 & 5, 1987
- Label: Sunnyside (SSC 1025)
- Concert Key: No key center
- Style: 3/4 swing (medium)
- Vibes - Steve Nelson
- Piano - Donald Brown
- Bass - Robert Hurst
- Drums - Jeff "Tain" Watts
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If you're not familiar with this marvelous composer, whose music can be very complex, this is a good starting point. It's simple, but profound and easy to solo on. The title is apt—Quiet Fire begins as a lilting waltz, then builds in excitement. The melody is quite lovely, but broken time at the beginning of the A section gives way to the first hint of disruption. The solos then take over—the Phrygian mode allows the soloists to explore new directions as the energy continues to build.
If you can, get the full audio track to hear the original recording; the way Donald Brown first recorded it gives a remarkable example of how to transform this piece and show the Quiet Fire within!
If you can, get the full audio track to hear the original recording; the way Donald Brown first recorded it gives a remarkable example of how to transform this piece and show the Quiet Fire within!
This was Donald Brown's first album as a leader. He's gone on to release at least seventeen more, the latest in 2012. Donald's wonderful composition Dorothy is also available, along with his own piano solo and some comping suggestions.
Many of Donald Brown's great compositions are available as printed combo arrangements, including New York, Episode From A Village Dance, Affaire D'Amour and Insane Asylum: buy them at MusicDispatch.com.
Many of Donald Brown's great compositions are available as printed combo arrangements, including New York, Episode From A Village Dance, Affaire D'Amour and Insane Asylum: buy them at MusicDispatch.com.
Donald Brown
born on March 28, 1954
A lyrical pianist and prolific composer as well as a teacher, band leader and arranger, Donald Brown is considered one of the masters of contemporary jazz composition. Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Donald studied trumpet and drums as a youth. It was not until he began studying at Memphis State University that he switched to piano as his primary instrument, the late start making his pianistic skill all the more incredible. Read more...