Once There Was – Eli "Lucky" Thompson
A perfect example of Lucky Thompson’s skillful ballad writing and interpretation. All editions include a transcription of everything he plays on the form, from the head in through his short solo and head out.
- Recording: Lucky Thompson - Featuring Oscar Pettiford, Vol. 2
- Recorded on: December 12, 1956
- Label: ABC-Paramount (ABC 171)
- Concert Key: G
- Style: Ballad
- Tenor Sax - Lucky Thompson
- Piano - Don Abney
- Bass - Oscar Pettiford
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Lucky Thompson is a master of ballad writing and ballad playing. His performances are always imaginative and intriguing. Instead of trying to boil this composition down to a basic lead sheet, we've transcribed Lucky's whole performance. It's only a chorus and a half long: after the melody, he solos on the bridge and then plays the last A section melody (AABA form). Available for all instruments.
This is Lucky in another trio setting with bassist Oscar Pettiford but this time the third instrument is piano. The day before this session, December 11, Lucky had recorded in a trio with Oscar, with the third instrument being guitar (see Little Tenderfoot and The Plain But The Simple Truth).
It's Lucky's only recording session with pianist Don Abney, who had recorded with Oscar twice in the previous year (1955). First, believe it or not, on an original Music Minus One recording, which also featured Kenny Clarke on drums and Jimmy Raney on guitar. Abney was also on Oscar's August 12, 1955, recording (Oscar Pettiford/Bethlehem Records).
Learn more about Lucky at Noal Cohen's Lucky Thompson Discography.
See what's on Thompson & Pettiford's Volume 1 collaboration.
It's Lucky's only recording session with pianist Don Abney, who had recorded with Oscar twice in the previous year (1955). First, believe it or not, on an original Music Minus One recording, which also featured Kenny Clarke on drums and Jimmy Raney on guitar. Abney was also on Oscar's August 12, 1955, recording (Oscar Pettiford/Bethlehem Records).
Learn more about Lucky at Noal Cohen's Lucky Thompson Discography.
See what's on Thompson & Pettiford's Volume 1 collaboration.
Lucky's entire performance, including his solo on the bridge bridge. His entire performance is included in every lead sheet edition.
Eli "Lucky" Thompson
June 16, 1923 – July 30, 2005
Saxophonist Lucky Thompson is one of the great treasures of jazz. He was born in Columbia, South Carolina, but was raised in Detroit, Michigan. He played in local groups with Hank Jones, Sonny Stitt and others. In August, 1943, when he was 19, he left Detroit with Lionel Hampton's Orchestra, eventually arriving in New York City. Still a teenager, his first recording date was with Hot Lips Page on March 18, 1944. Later in 1944 he started recording with both Lucky Millinder and Count Basie. Read more...