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Virtual Jam Session - "Sweet 'n Sour"

4/17/2020

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Jam to "Sweet 'n Sour"

Here is a tune very few players know.  You are unlikely to hear this one called up at a jam session. This Art Blakey tune is worth learning because it it so original and clever in its composition -- plus it is just plain fun.
It is a jazz waltz, but played faster than anybody could waltz to.  It almost comes across as a conventional 32-bar ABAB song.  But instead it pulls up after 30 bars, and tags an 8-bar modal section on G7sus4.
The changes are interesting.  Except for the 8-bar tag, the changes are always one chord per measure.  And with the tune moving at quarter=170, these chords come quickly and give it a strong pulse.  The chords in the A section have a bluesy feel, but what is unusual about this song is a pattern of 3 "normal" chords followed by a surprisingly strong chord in the 4th and 8th bars of the each section. This gives the song a feeling almost like the traditional New Orleans "Big 4" beat.
One wonders if the title of the tune was meant to signify 3 sweet chords followed by one sour chord.
The changes (in Dm concert) are:

A:      Dm7  |  G7       |  Dm7  |  Ab7(#11)  |  Gm7       |  C7           |  Gm7  |  G7(#5)  |
B:      Cm7  |  F7(b9)  |  Fm7  |  Bb7(b9)    |  Ebmaj7  |  Abmaj7  |  Gm7  |  A7(#5)  |
A:      Dm7  |  G7       |  Dm7  |  Ab7(#11)  |  Gm7       |  C7           |  Gm7  |  G7(#5)  |
B:      Cm7  |  F7(b9)  |  Fm7  |  Bb7(b9)    |  Emaj7    |  A7(#5)    | 
Tag:   G7sus4 for 8 bars

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  • Home
    • Join List
  • Mission
  • Meet the Bands
    • Urban Renewal Big Band >
      • 24-4-9
    • Urban Renewal Cool Jazz Octet
    • The Finnell Factor
    • Yvonne Allu & Friends
  • Blog