Virtual Jam Session - "Along Came Betty"

Jam to "Along Came Betty"

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Benny Golson is a living legend, one of the few musicians alive who has not only seen the entire modern jazz era, but actually played a major role in the development of the art form.  Although he is relatively unknown outside the jazz aficionado world, his influence has been immense.  As a composer, he is probably best known for "I Remember Clifford" and "Killer Joe".  But he has composed many great songs, including "Along Came Betty".
When you see the name Benny Golson on a piece of music, you will know two things immediately:

1. It is a carefully crafted piece with a catchy, memorable melody.
2. Even though it makes perfect musical sense and sounds like it might be easy, it is probably actually very challenging for the improviser.
   

That is certainly the case with "Along Came Betty".  The song form is fairly conventional.  One might call it AABA, although the second A section is only reminiscent of the first.  The B section is distinctly a bridge.  The final A section starts like the first A section but has extended phrases.  That gives us a measure count of 8 + 8 + 8 + 10 = 34 bars.
The changes are not complex harmonies, but they are less predictable than in many standards.  There are several places where the music shifts up 1/2 step and then back down.  These are important moments you find in measures 1-4, 9-12, and 25-28 -- or about 1/3 of the chorus.  To get started improvising on this piece, it would be effective to find a comfortable line for measure 1 and then play that same line up 1/2 step in measure 2 and so on, then depart from that simple pattern as you get more familiar with the changes.
There really are no great shortcuts on a song like this.  Just keep practicing it until everything comes automatically.
It is worth mentioning that this song is usually done as a medium swing.  This arrangement is a straight-8th smooth jazz treatment.