Scotch Thing – Grant Stewart
Instantly appealing, this slow swing with contrasting bridge is presented in two editions: a quartet version from its first recording, and a quintet version with second parts from a later one. Condensed score and Peter Washington's transcribed bass solo also available.
- Recording: Grant Stewart - Buen Rollo
- Recorded on: June 2 & 3, 1998
- Label: Fresh Sound (053)
- Concert Key: C
- Style: Swing (slow)
- Tenor Sax - Grant Stewart
- Piano - Fabio Miano
- Bass - Chris Higgins
- Drums - Marc Miralta
- Recording: Eric Alexander & Grant Stewart - Wailin' - Reeds And Deeds
- Recorded on: April 20, 2004
- Label: Criss Cross Jazz (1258)
- Concert Key: C
- Style: Swing (slow)
- Tenor Sax - Eric Alexander
- Tenor Sax - Grant Stewart
- Piano - David Hazeltine
- Bass - Peter Washington
- Drums - Kenny Washington
The entire recorded bass line for both in and out melodies and behind both tenor sax solos, on seven pages.
Peter Washington's playing on Scotch Thing is an excellent example of how one can do a magnificent job accompanying the lead and the soloists while also showing off the wonderful chordal aspects of the instrument. Washington, a player revered for his dedication to laying down a wonderfully smooth and swinging line, gives a veritable masterclass on how to incorporate double stops into your accompaniment line. Throughout both the in and out melodies, as well as the solo sections, Peter frequently plays both the root and the fifth at the same time, providing tremendous stability to the harmonic architecture and a beautiful sonority for the audience and musicians to grab onto. Since these fifths and other double stops are powerful devices, one must handle them with care or else the music gets very clogged. Fortunately, Washington's timing is impeccable so players can learn where and when to incorporate these very fun and satisfying double stops.
In addition to the aforementioned fifths, Peter also uses the octave and the tenth, two more enchanting textures that the bassist can provide to satisfy the sound of the song.
Grant Stewart
born on June 4, 1971
A swinging tenor saxophonist, Grant Stewart is a powerful, expressive stylist in today's jazz scene. Born in Toronto, Stewart's early exposure to giants like Charlie Parker and Coleman Hawkins came from his father, an English teacher and semi-professional guitarist. By the age of 14 Grant was so advanced on the alto saxophone that he began playing professionally in the Pete Schofield Big Band. At 17, he made the switch to tenor and starting playing with some of his greatest influences in the Toronto jazz scene, Pat LaBarbera and Bob Mover. (He still does play alto saxophone to this day, but his love of artists like John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins encouraged him to make tenor his primary instrument.) Read more...