Fox – Kenny Dorham
This angular uptempo “burner” is a worthwhile challenge for all instruments! Full Score and parts are available for the quintet arrangement from the recording; we also have a solo piano arrangement by Walter Davis, Jr.
- Recording: Kenny Dorham - Trompeta Toccata
- Recorded on: September 14, 1964
- Label: Blue Note (BLP 4181)
- Concert Key: G-flat
- Vocal Range: , to
- Style: Swing (uptempo)
- Trumpet - Kenny Dorham
- Tenor Sax - Joe Henderson
- Piano - Tommy Flanagan
- Bass - Richard Davis
- Drums - Albert "Tootie" Heath
Video
- Description
- Historical Notes
- Solos
- Piano Corner
- Bass Corner
- Drum Corner
- Guitar Corner
- Inside & Beyond
- Minus You
A worthy challenge for any instrument! Besides the fast tempo and rarely explored key of G♭ major, The Fox combines an angular melody and stop-and-start rhythm section figures making it a workout for horns and rhythm section alike. The ABA form is 32 measures long, not divided into eight-measure sections but rather 12-measure A, eight-measure B, and 12-measure C the same as A. The changes are fairly tonal in G♭ but essentially cyclical, ending on D♭7 that resolves back to G♭ for the next chorus. Though the A section changes stay on A♭7 for the second four-measure phrase and then D♭7 for the next four, these chords are not technically modal as they alternate each measure between sus and dominant qualities. The bridge changes start with a II-V7 to B major.
Full Score and parts are available for the quintet arrangement. The lead sheets are the first parts. All horn parts have rhythm section figures cued below the staff. The horns start in octaves, going to unison in the pickup to the 5th measure; the long notes of the bridge melody are harmonized.
Full Score and parts are available for the quintet arrangement. The lead sheets are the first parts. All horn parts have rhythm section figures cued below the staff. The horns start in octaves, going to unison in the pickup to the 5th measure; the long notes of the bridge melody are harmonized.
Explained by Kenny Dorham in the liner notes: “[bassist] Richard Davis was holding this one together for us, and Richard always has a fox-like look about him. And, when I was young, in Texas, I used to trap—fox, muskrat—for hides. The memory and the look of Richard gave me the title.”
Check out the other songs from “Trompeta Toccata”, Kenny’s last album as a leader. Richard Davis also played on K.D’s final studio recording, Clifford Jordan’s “In The World” from 1969.
Check out the other songs from “Trompeta Toccata”, Kenny’s last album as a leader. Richard Davis also played on K.D’s final studio recording, Clifford Jordan’s “In The World” from 1969.
A Solo Piano Arrangement is available by Walter Davis, Jr. This song lends itself well to a solo piano setting, as the melody is punctuated throughout by rhythm section figures. These figures are mostly two-handed voicings in this arrangement, except for the single-note left hand hit on the first measure.
Related Songs
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- Recording: Nicole Glover - Nicole Glover Plays
- Recorded on: June 18, 2023
- Label: Savant (SCD 2213)
- Concert Key: G-flat
- Vocal Range: , to
- Style: Swing (uptempo)
- Tenor Sax - Nicole Glover
- Vibes - Steve Nelson
- Bass - Tyrone Allen
- Drums - Kayvon Gordon
Video
- Description
- Historical Notes
- Solos
- Piano Corner
- Bass Corner
- Drum Corner
- Guitar Corner
- Inside & Beyond
- Minus You
A recent quartet version of The Fox, about the same tempo as the original recording with the same rhythm section arrangement. Tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover plays the melody with the same octave changes as the quintet tenor sax 2nd part.
“Plays” is Nicole Glover’s third album as a leader, recorded at the Van Gelder Recording Studio; since then she has recorded one more, “Memories, Dreams, Reflections.” with a similar lineup except with Lester St. Louis on cello replacing vibraphonist Steve Nelson. Also in 2023, Nelson recorded his own trio album “A Common Language” as well as on pianist Kenny Barron’s “Beyond This Place”.
A Solo Piano Arrangement is available by Walter Davis, Jr. This song lends itself well to a solo piano setting, as the melody is punctuated throughout by rhythm section figures. These figures are mostly two-handed voicings in this arrangement, except for the single-note left hand hit on the first measure.
Related Songs
Email Send Fox to a friend
Send this page to a friend via email. Add your name or email in the first field. In the second, add one or more email addresses, separated by a comma.
Kenny Dorham
August 30, 1924 – December 15, 1972
August 30, 2025, is Kenny Dorham's 101st birthday: jazzleadsheets.com has added many new K.D. compositions. Jazz At Lincoln Center has dedicated three late-night sets to Kenny's music, played with love by young musicians who want his music to live on. Join in, play K.D. music! Read more...
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