Minor Move – Harold "Tina" Brooks

This song presents three alternations: between parallel minor and major tonalities, between a Latin groove and swing, and (in the A section) between B♭ and B key centers. The melody starts out with yet another contrast, a catchy one-measure pickup followed by a whole note. The same phrase is then repeated a minor third higher, on C♯ minor following the initial B♭ minor; this resolves to B major in the fifth measure, followed by a II-V7 back to B♭ major. The melody remains in a B major tonality until the last beat of the sixth measure. From a Latin groove in the A section, the rhythm section goes to swing in the bridge. This bridge is 16 measures long, resulting in a 40-measure AABC form. A more rhythmic melody is introduced in the bridge, which modulates to D major and C major before establishing a B♭ major tonality and ending with chromatic approach II-V7s (C♯m7-F♯7-Cm7-F7). The melody in the second half of the bridge develops a little quote of the theme from the movie "Moon Over Miami." The solos swing throughout; the first A section and C section of the solo form end on B♭ minor, but the second A section ends in major. There is a coda that vamps and fades on B♭ major.

About the arrangement: A countermelody runs through the A section which descends mostly in half steps. It starts on A, the major 7th of B♭, but when it gets to the C♯ minor chord it starts on the tonic C♯. The tenor sax plays this countermelody, but joins the trumpet in unison for the pickup and second measure. The horns are also mostly harmonized on the bridge, but in unison for the ninth through twelfth measures. Notable piano comping rhythms are included in our Concert Condensed Score, which is also the rhythm section part.

For trumpet players, this is a good one for resting your chops (the highest note is only a B in the staff) and also for getting the lower part of the instrument together.