Edition: Jazz Septet Arrangement

Description: Swing - Medium

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Duke Pearson's 1968 album 'The Right Touch' is rightly considered one of his finest efforts as a leader. Featuring an all-star lineup of horn players, a rock-solid and sympathetic rhythm section, and a brilliant set of Pearson's original compositions and arrangements, this album continues to hold up as an outstanding example of late 1960s hard bop.

Pearson's compositions, while maintaining an undeniable familiarity, often featured unexpected harmonic or form-related tricks. Such is the case for the 30-bar form of "Make It Good." A 4 bar Grady Tate drum solo sets up 2 choruses of Pearson's piano over the form of the tune, which eventually leads into the melody. A simple riff-based tune, it finds a way to nonetheless be highly memorable. Pearson accompanies the melody with a series of simple fills around the tune's natural spaces.

On the original recording, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard is the only horn soloist, with his two choruses being sandwiched by some more Pearson piano choruses. After Pearson's final chorus, the melody is repeated once more, followed by a vamp and fade over the tune's initial 2 measures with Pearson soloing over the top.

This arrangement is written for septet. An optional guitar part has been included. Chord changes have been included in each part to allow for the solo section to be opened up as much as you wish.

Full Score
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Trumpet
Trombone
Guitar (Optional)
Piano
Bass
Drums

Trumpet: F5