Politely – Bill Hardman
From the Art Blakey shuffle tradition, this quintet/sextet features melody and second/third parts plus separate bass parts for each version, one recorded in 1960, one in 2000.
- Recording: Art Blakey - Big Beat
- Recorded on: March 6, 1960
- Label: Blue Note (4029)
- Concert Key: F minor
- Style: Swing (medium)
- Trumpet - Lee Morgan
- Tenor Sax - Wayne Shorter
- Piano - Bobby Timmons
- Bass - Jymie Merritt
- Drums - Art Blakey
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Video
- Jazz bassist Beulah Agbabiaka plays along with Art Blakey's recording of "Politely" by Bill Hardman.
The rock solid bass line that surrounds the "Art Blakey shuffle" on this Jazz Messengers album creates a perfect background for the melody. This quintet recording is preserved in all of our lead sheets, with harmony notes in each part. The chord structure is easy, so it's perfect for any level of ensemble.
Bass parts are available from both the Blakey version and Don Sickler's version.
Bass parts are available from both the Blakey version and Don Sickler's version.
"The Big Beat" was recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs.
Bill Hardman recorded with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers in 1956 and 1957, but ironically the Messengers first recorded Hardman's Politely in Europe in 1958, after he had left the band. This 1958 recording certainly has a groove but the bass is restricted to a more basic two-feel groove.
On February 5, 1960, Bill first recorded his own composition on Lou Donaldson's "Sunny Side Up"
Blue Note session. On this recording Bill had the bass try a different groove (playing beats 1, 3, 4, 1, 3, 4, etc.) A month later, Blakey recorded the classic Jazz Messengers' version.
Bill Hardman's original key for Politely was C minor concert. That's the key he introduced to the Messengers, and their 1958 recording and the Lou Donaldson recording are both in that key. "The Big Beat" recording and my version (on "Reflections") are both up a 4th, in F minor concert.
Bill Hardman recorded with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers in 1956 and 1957, but ironically the Messengers first recorded Hardman's Politely in Europe in 1958, after he had left the band. This 1958 recording certainly has a groove but the bass is restricted to a more basic two-feel groove.
On February 5, 1960, Bill first recorded his own composition on Lou Donaldson's "Sunny Side Up"
Blue Note session. On this recording Bill had the bass try a different groove (playing beats 1, 3, 4, 1, 3, 4, etc.) A month later, Blakey recorded the classic Jazz Messengers' version.Bill Hardman's original key for Politely was C minor concert. That's the key he introduced to the Messengers, and their 1958 recording and the Lou Donaldson recording are both in that key. "The Big Beat" recording and my version (on "Reflections") are both up a 4th, in F minor concert.
Essential Bass (Jymie Merritt) [ LEVEL 2]
Politely is perfect example of a bass part that could benefit all levels of bassists. The original recording, with Art Blakey on drums and Jymie Merritt on bass, is a great demonstration of how tight the bass and drums should be when playing a written part together. By practicing this transcription along with the track, you'll see how challenging it can be to really get those syncopations locked in, and how hard it can groove when you do! Once you reach the solo section, you can let loose and swing with Art Blakey's master drumming over the changes of this medium-tempo minor shuffle. If you want the extra challenge of playing with the great Ben Riley on drums, click on the "Don Sickler Quintet" album above.
Check out the video above of bass student Beulah Agbabiaka demonstrating how to benefit from playing along with the original track.
Politely is perfect example of a bass part that could benefit all levels of bassists. The original recording, with Art Blakey on drums and Jymie Merritt on bass, is a great demonstration of how tight the bass and drums should be when playing a written part together. By practicing this transcription along with the track, you'll see how challenging it can be to really get those syncopations locked in, and how hard it can groove when you do! Once you reach the solo section, you can let loose and swing with Art Blakey's master drumming over the changes of this medium-tempo minor shuffle. If you want the extra challenge of playing with the great Ben Riley on drums, click on the "Don Sickler Quintet" album above.
Check out the video above of bass student Beulah Agbabiaka demonstrating how to benefit from playing along with the original track.
- Recording: Don Sickler - Reflections
- Recorded on: March 29, 2000
- Label: HighNote (7062)
- Concert Key: F minor
- Style: Swing (medium)
- Trumpet - Don Sickler [two trumpet parts]
- Alto Sax - Bobby Porcelli
- Piano - Ronnie Mathews
- Bass - Peter Washington
- Drums - Ben Riley
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Video
- Jazz bassist Beulah Agbabiaka plays along with Art Blakey's recording of "Politely" by Bill Hardman.
Don Sickler writes: "When I recorded Politely on my ‘Reflections’ album, I added harmonies to make it a sextet arrangement. I also wanted to loosen up the groove, while still maintaining a "bass in control" pulse. Master drummer Ben Riley gave me exactly what I wanted so bassist Peter Washington could slightly alter the bass line rhythm."
The chord structure is easy, so it's perfect for any level of ensemble. Bass parts are available for both the Blakey version and the Don Sickler sextet version.
Check out the video above of Jazz bassist Beulah Agbabiaka as she plays along with Art Blakey's recording of Politely by Bill Hardman. Recording yourself playing along with these tracks gives you the opportunity to analyse your playing to see how you can improve.
Find a tutorial on how to record yourself in Garage Band on our YouTube channel.
The chord structure is easy, so it's perfect for any level of ensemble. Bass parts are available for both the Blakey version and the Don Sickler sextet version.
Check out the video above of Jazz bassist Beulah Agbabiaka as she plays along with Art Blakey's recording of Politely by Bill Hardman. Recording yourself playing along with these tracks gives you the opportunity to analyse your playing to see how you can improve.
Find a tutorial on how to record yourself in Garage Band on our YouTube channel.
"Reflections" was recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs.
Don Sickler: "In 2000 I produced and played in a week of nights celebrating trumpet players and their music at the Jazz Standard in New York City. I was joined on the bandstand by a great rhythm section (pianist Ronnie Mathews, bassist Ron McClure and legendary drummer Ben Riley) and by alto saxophonist Bobby Porcelli. Each evening featured music from the Second Floor Music catalog written by trumpet players. "Special guest" trumpeters joined us, including Dameronia sideman Virgil Jones and Roy Hargrove.
"On Saturday night HighNote Records' owner Joe Fields came to the club, liked what he heard, and asked me to record the project at Rudy Van Gelder's studio."
Don Sickler: "In 2000 I produced and played in a week of nights celebrating trumpet players and their music at the Jazz Standard in New York City. I was joined on the bandstand by a great rhythm section (pianist Ronnie Mathews, bassist Ron McClure and legendary drummer Ben Riley) and by alto saxophonist Bobby Porcelli. Each evening featured music from the Second Floor Music catalog written by trumpet players. "Special guest" trumpeters joined us, including Dameronia sideman Virgil Jones and Roy Hargrove.
"On Saturday night HighNote Records' owner Joe Fields came to the club, liked what he heard, and asked me to record the project at Rudy Van Gelder's studio."
Essential Bass (Peter Washington) [LEVEL 2]
If you want the extra challenge of playing with the great Ben Riley on drums, check out the bass part for Don Sickler's arrangement of Politely, featuring a slightly different but equally swinging bass line played by the great Peter Washington.
If you want the extra challenge of playing with the great Ben Riley on drums, check out the bass part for Don Sickler's arrangement of Politely, featuring a slightly different but equally swinging bass line played by the great Peter Washington.
Bill Hardman
April 6, 1933 – December 6, 1990
While still in high school in his home town of Cleveland, Ohio, Bill got to play with Tadd Dameron. After graduation, he toured with Tiny Bradshaw (1953-1955) and recorded R&B sessions with him in each of these years. Hardman recorded his first jazz session with Jackie McLean on August 31, 1956 ("Jackie's Pal - Jackie McLean Quintet Introducing Bill Hardman" for Prestige Records). Both musicians joined Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers, first doing a "Stars of Jazz" TV show in Los Angeles, October 30, 1956, then recording the album "Hard Bop" for Columbia Records on December 12, 1956. Read more...