Holiday – Al Cohn
A "cool school" medium swinger originally written for guitarist Barry Galbraith. A transcription of Barry's solo is available.
- Recording: Barry Galbraith - Guitar And The Wind
- Recorded on: January 21, 1958
- Label: Decca (DL 9200)
- Concert Key: F
- Vocal Range: , to
- Style: Swing (medium)
- Flute, Tenor Sax - Bobby Jaspar
- Clarinet - Phil Bodner, Romeo Penque, Spencer Sinatra
- Guitar - Barry Galbraith
- Piano - Eddie Costa
- Bass - Milt Hinton
- Drums - Osie Johnson
Video
- Description
- Historical Notes
- Solos
- Piano Corner
- Bass Corner
- Drum Corner
- Guitar Corner
- Inside & Beyond
- Minus You
This relatively simple, light-toned medium swinger is a classic example of Al Cohn's cool-jazz style. The melody is lyrical and standard-like, with a gentle rhythmic kick in the bridge. The changes are mostly II-V7s and go to some interesting places: the 6th and 7th measures modulate up a half step to G♭ major, while the bridge starts in A major and goes to C major in the second half. There is a 6-measure interlude (D in the lead sheet) with pedal-like figures and a Latin groove; this is not included in the solos.
On the recording the horns are harmonized throughout; guitarist Barry Galbraith plays the melody an octave below the clarinet lead.
On the recording the horns are harmonized throughout; guitarist Barry Galbraith plays the melody an octave below the clarinet lead.
In January 1958, when Holiday was recorded, Barry Galbraith was very busy as a sideman in addition to recording his debut as a leader. In the same month, he recorded with pianists Ralph Burns and Hank Jones as well as fellow guitarist Toots Thielemans; he was also playing in Tex Beneke's big band, which made two radio broadcasts that month. Many of these recordings were with his frequent collaborators Osie Johnson on drums, Milt Hinton on bass and/or Jones on piano.
The four woodwind players on Holiday and 5 other songs from "Guitar And The Wind" double on several instruments. The instrumentation is a little hard to hear on this song, but on the head it's most likely three clarinets and tenor sax; Bobby Jaspar solos on flute. Some other songs on this album have the same personnel as Jaspar's quintet session from November 1956; check out Galbraith's song from this session, Barry's Tune.
The four woodwind players on Holiday and 5 other songs from "Guitar And The Wind" double on several instruments. The instrumentation is a little hard to hear on this song, but on the head it's most likely three clarinets and tenor sax; Bobby Jaspar solos on flute. Some other songs on this album have the same personnel as Jaspar's quintet session from November 1956; check out Galbraith's song from this session, Barry's Tune.
Here, Barry Galbraith takes one melodic chorus full of bebop vocabulary. This is a great resource for guitarists looking to work on weaving long, eighth note lines through chromatic chord changes. In addition, while Galbraith's solo unfolds at a comfortable, medium tempo, playing this transcription accurately is still a technique workout; replicating his full, warm tone and buoyant swing feel will force guitarists to keep both hands relaxed.
Barry Galbraith was possibly the most in-demand studio guitarist during the 1950s and '60s and for good reason. Listen to how seamlessly Galbraith blends the sound of his guitar with the bevy of timbres and harmonies swirling beside him during the melody statements, perfectly matching the phrasing nuances of the rest of the frontline and leaving no doubts about his superlative ensemble skills.
Galbraith also demonstrates his formidable linear abilities with a deft, one-chorus solo. Click on the Solos tab for more details.
Galbraith also demonstrates his formidable linear abilities with a deft, one-chorus solo. Click on the Solos tab for more details.
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Al Cohn
November 24, 1925 – February 15, 1988
Al Cohn, born in Brooklyn, NY, went on to become not only a brilliant jazz tenor saxophonist, but an arranger, leader and sideman par excellence. From the "Al Cohn Memorial Jazz Collection," East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania website: "His career in jazz spanned more than 45 years. He performed with the bands of Henry Jerome, Joe Marsala, Georgie Auld, Alvino Rey, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Artie Shaw, Elliot Lawrence and others. Many of the arrangements used by these bands were written by Al, and he also arranged for Gerry Mulligan, Quincy Jones, Terry Gibbs and Jimmy Rushing. Read more...
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