Little Leona – Adriano Acea
This is a great way to feature a drummer who has Latin chops.
- Recording: Roy Haynes - Swingin' With Roy Haynes
- Recorded on: October 3, 1954
- Label: Metronome (MEP 90)
- Concert Key: C minor
- Vocal Range: , to
- Style: Latin (medium up)
- Trombone - Ake Persson
- Bari Sax - Sahib Shihab
- Tenor Sax - Bjarne Nerem
- Piano - Adriano Acea
- Bass - Joe Benjamin
- Drums - Roy Haynes
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- Description
- Historical Notes
- Solos
- Piano Corner
- Bass Corner
- Drum Corner
- Guitar Corner
- Inside & Beyond
- Minus You
This is an enticing Latin/swing piece. The condensed score (in Concert key) shows the harmony parts in addition to the melody and is great for solo pianists or bandleaders. The lead sheet editions include the melody and chord changes but not the harmony parts. Our audio excerpt begins a measure before the horns come in with the melody and continues through the Latin A section into the swing bridge, fading out just as it turns around back into the final Latin C section.
If Little Leona sounds familiar to you, it may be because you've heard it sampled in Who's That Man, the theme song from the closing credits in Jim Carrey's classic 1994 comedy, "The Mask."
This Roy Haynes album was recorded in Sweden. The personnel included several Swedes as well as American musicians presumably traveling with Roy. The day before this session, on October 2, Adriano recorded on a Coleman Hawkins date with Osie Johnson on drums, also in Sweden, and he's listed as performing in a Coleman Hawkins concert in Europe in October 1954. Here's a photo of Roy and Adriano from the back cover of the second release of the album, on EmArcy, "Busman's Holiday."
Throughout Adriano Acea's career, he was frequently miscredited as "Adrian Acia" or other mispellings. Such was the case for this release. Little Leona was initially released on a 7" EP for Metronome titled "Swingin' With Roy Haynes." It was later released again on "Busman's Holiday," on which the liner notes even featured a picture of Adriano and Roy talking. But on all of these releases, Adriano is credited as "Adrian Acia."
This Roy Haynes album was recorded in Sweden. The personnel included several Swedes as well as American musicians presumably traveling with Roy. The day before this session, on October 2, Adriano recorded on a Coleman Hawkins date with Osie Johnson on drums, also in Sweden, and he's listed as performing in a Coleman Hawkins concert in Europe in October 1954. Here's a photo of Roy and Adriano from the back cover of the second release of the album, on EmArcy, "Busman's Holiday."
Throughout Adriano Acea's career, he was frequently miscredited as "Adrian Acia" or other mispellings. Such was the case for this release. Little Leona was initially released on a 7" EP for Metronome titled "Swingin' With Roy Haynes." It was later released again on "Busman's Holiday," on which the liner notes even featured a picture of Adriano and Roy talking. But on all of these releases, Adriano is credited as "Adrian Acia."
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Adriano Acea
September 11, 1917 – July 25, 1963
John "Johnny" Adriano Acea was a Philly-based pianist best remembered for his superb accompaniment of many jazz legends. Known and credited by several names, his legacy is fragmented: some of his best work is credited incorrectly, making it difficult for historians to properly recognize this talented composer and pianist, landing him in some obscurity despite a skill that his peers heralded. His collaborations with Grant Green, Ben Webster, and Illinois Jacquet are his best-known. Read more...
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