Oh Yeah, Oh Yeah – Kenny Dorham

Oh Yeah, Oh Yeah is Kenny Dorham’s take on the gospel side of soul-jazz. It’s a medium 3/4 song with a bouncy rhythmic feel, a bit like Bobby Timmons’ This Here though at a more relaxed tempo. The main theme contains its own call-and-response, with the drums filling in the “response” after the repeat of the “call.” Though the changes are relatively straightforward in a gospel vein, there’s plenty of K.D.’s inimitable, subtle detail such as a few hip “side-slips” at the end of the head. The form of the head is 64-measure AABC, but the bridge is not part of the solo form. Instead, solos are on the two A sections with their first and second ending. After the last soloist on the form, an eight-measure drum solo sets up the out melody.

About the arrangement: Full Score and parts are available for the recorded arrangement, for 5 horns, bass, and drums. The lead sheet is also the first part. Besides the instrumentation from the recording, we have alternate parts so that it can be played with a 5-piece sax section (2 altos, 2 tenors, and baritone). The horns play in octaves on the “call” of the melody and harmonize for the “response.” In some places there are only three-part harmonies, with two unison horns on each harmony note below the trumpet melody. The bridge goes to trumpet and tenor only, playing two-part harmonies with the rest of the horns filling in only on the 7th and 8th measures.