Pedro's Time – Kenny Dorham

Pedro's Time is a classic K.D. composition: concise, melodic and more complex than it initially seems. The form first appears to be twelve measures long, blues-like but not truly a blues, but with harmonically changing first and second endings it actually expands to a 24-measure form. The simple, flowing melody could certainly work over blues changes, but the IV chord is delayed until the seventh measure (and is F7 instead of F minor), with A♭7 to G7 on the fifth and sixth measures as well as the expected ninth and tenth measures. The result is more like an eight-measure form plus a four-measure tag. The first and second endings of this 12-measure form have different changes, turnarounds largely a tritone away from each other.

If you get to play Kenny's quintet arrangement with your group, you'll see the second part (originally played by Joe Henderson on tenor sax) adds an unexpected harmonic twist to the melody in the third measure, as well as enriching the the different harmonic movement in the first and second endings and the coda.

It is particularly unusual how much of this harmonic information is retained for the solos. The solo form is really two 12-measure choruses, one each with the first and second ending. The first four measures of the form in both head and solos start with even-8ths rhythm section figures with a Latin feel that breaks to start the fourth measure and transitions to swing within the fourth measure. The swinging parts of the melody have stop-time figures in the rhythm section, which introduce Kenny's magical independent roles of bass and piano (bass on the downbeat of the 4th measure, piano enters on the second beat; both play the syncopation at the end of the measure together.) A smaller melody staff is shown above each rhythm section line and cues for other rhythm section parts help each rhythm section player understand their role in this marvelously rich accompaniment.

Note that the lead sheets available here, under the Joe Henderson album cover, are the same ones available under "The K.D. Challenge" cover above and work for the Minus You tracks. The original second part (Joe Henderson's tenor sax part) is available separately under this album cover, as are transpositions of this part for other instruments.

See more from Joe's "Our Thing" album.

Our "K.D. Challenge" recording is arranged the same way as the original version, but in a quartet setting. Due to the rhythm section stop-time activity in the head, we consider it important for the pianist, bassist and drummer to know what else is going on around their parts. Accordingly, in all three rhythm section parts we have included the melody on a separate upper staff, as well as any notable figures below the lower staff that one instrument in the rhythm section has but another does not. You therefore get a great view of Kenny's magical rhythm section tapestry while playing your own part.

Note that the lead sheets available here are the same as the ones under the Joe Henderson album cover, save for the second parts which are only available under that album cover. The lead sheets also function as the Minus You parts, when played with the Minus You tracks.

Hear other titles available on our "K.D. Challenge" project. To learn why we think Kenny Dorham's music is so important, click About The K.D. Challenge.