Mulgrew Miller - Small Portion

Just the tune.  It's from With Our Own Eyes, which I believe was recorded around the same period as the classic Hand in Hand (1993).  Both of these albums are killer.

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I particularly like this tune for a couple of reasons.  Even though it's a conventional AABA form (how I hear it anyway), there's a few twists here and there (e.g 6 bar A sections, extended B section).  Furthermore, the harmony is pretty straight-ahead, yet used effectively within this style/context with nice modulations and a great tune to boot.  The slight feel change in the B section (basically a pedal during the long Maj7 chords) and all the hits (suggested by the melody if not marked above) help "make" the tune.  Check out the recording if you can find it!

Mulgrew.  Solidly kicking arse for 25+ years!

Marc Copland - Dark Territory

A Marc Copland original.  I was really into his stuff for a while (still am), but have never really sat down and tried to work out his concept (on the to do list, eventually).  I should really revisit this transcription as it looks like I've got some of the voicings down too!  Totally dig his album Haunted Heart & Other Ballads (2001), especially Drew Gress's sound.

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I'm just realising now that Google Docs is piss-farting around with some of the fonts on the music  (e.g coda, fine, etc.).  Sorry... whatever.

Kenny Barron - The Pelican

Great tune, brisk & fun.  From Kenny's Spirit Song (1999).


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It'll be fun to play on a gig one day!

Joel Frahm - Away From Home

Just the tune.  I think this was transcribed for the same gig as When We Met.  'Twas a very mellow set as I recall.  This is from Joel Frahm & Brad Mehldau's duo recording, Don't Explain (2004).

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A beautiful tune.

James Williams - Alter Ego

This is just the head for James Williams' tune, Alter Ego.  Pretty sure there's an LP of the same title too.  First heard this tune on Kenny Barron's Live At Bradley's (1996), and then on Roy Hargrove's The Vibe (1992).


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I've enjoyed playing this one on gigs.  Kenny Barron uses a voicing based on 5ths to harmonise the long tones of the melody (e.g Am11 = LH A E B / RH C G D) and the ending.  Roy Hargrove has 3 horns harmonising the melody in 3rds (e.g G B D for the first D of the tune).