Deciphering The Message – Hank Mobley

This is Hank's solo from the second time The Messengers recorded Deciphering The Message. They actually recorded it first for Blue Note on the "live" Cafe Bohemia session November 23, 1955. They played it on two of the three recorded sets, but it wasn't released on the first LPs that were issued. The recording featured here, on May 4, 1956, has Donald Byrd as the first soloist. Byrd replaced Kenny Dorham, who was the trumpeter on the group's 1955 session.

Transcribed Tenor Sax Solo: Hank Mobley tenor is the second soloist on the recording. Our audio clip starts with the downbeat of Hank's first solo chorus. Listening carefully, you can hear the last note of Donald Byrd's trumpet solo along with the big downbeat cymbal crash at the beginning our our clip. So as not to jump on Donald Byrd's solo, Hank left a bar rest before he started his four-chorus musical adventure. As with our other solo transcriptions, Hank's articulation is notated and B-flat and C treble clef editions are available.

Recorded Quintet Arrangement: This is a real band piece, with lots of rhythm section involvement and a shout chorus. Because of that, we feel a full score and parts are necessary, so this printed quintet arrangement is available at ejazzlines.com. A lead sheet as part of a midi play-along is also available on Smart Music Wynton Marsalis Volume III - Standards.