Abdullah – Elmo Hope

This composition really shows off the genius of Elmo Hope as a composer. The melody is embellished with an unusual and delightfully dissonant counterline in the quintet arrangement (see the second part editions or the condensed score for both parts at once). If you'd prefer to work out your own arrangement (or play the piece solo), we also have lead sheets for C, B-flat, E-flat and bass clef instruments that have Elmo's original melody and the chord progression for soloing. The minor melody is both lyrical and bouncy—the sort of tuneful piece that inspires humming along and toe-tapping.

If you'd like to play the original arrangement of this piece with your quintet, we offer the second part editions. The condensed score has the melody, counterlines and hits from the quintet arrangement conveniently notated on one system. Good for piano, bass and drums playing the quintet arrangement.

Pianists, if you're playing solo or want to make your own arrangement, we offer the standard lead sheet with just the melody and changes. This is also great for vibes or guitar.

Video: Bertha Hope, Jerry Dodgion, and Putter Smith talk about the great Elmo Hope. Elmo Hope was a classically trained pianist with technique rivaling that of his childhood friend Bud Powell and a composer of music whose inventiveness and complexity approaches that of Thelonious Monk. In fact, Elmo, Thelonious and Bud used to hang out so much together they became known as "The Three Musketeers."

Bertha Hope was married to Elmo Hope until his passing in 1967. She is an accomplished pianist herself, who studied with Richie Powell (Bud's brother) in Los Angeles.

Jerry Dodgion, saxophonist, knew Elmo during the time that he was living in California.

Putter Smith has been an in demand bass player in Los Angeles since he was a teenager. He played with Elmo Hope for a six week residency in Los Angeles when he was 17 years old.