Style:

Usually played either straight, or a combination straight and swung.

Form:

A-A-B-A (64 Bars) [16-16-16-16

Arrangements:

Typically the A sections are played straight, with the B section swung.

Intro:

On the first recording from The Jazz Messengers as well as Horace Silver's later rendition from Horace-Scope, a brief 7 bar introduction is included. However, in practice this intro is oftentimes omitted.

Send-Off:

On both recordings mentioned above a send-off is used to book-end each solo. This arrangement tends to be included in performances.

Shout Chorus:

Additionally, on both recordings mentioned above a shout-chorus is included. For the  first 8 bars of both 16 bar A sections the band plays a shout figure, and the remaining 8 bars are opened back up to the soloist. During the bridge the band then returns to the melody to play the head out.  However, this arrangement tends to not be included in performances.

Coda:

On both recordings an additional 12 bars are added to the form after the head out to conclude the performance. This coda is seldom used in practice, and instead the send-off is often used instead to finish  the piece instead.

Key:

Almost always performed in Bb minor.

Harmony/Overview:

The  harmony although exceptionally original is very functional throughout. The main theme in the A sections revolve around a ImiMaj7 - bVIImiMaj7  vamp before a II - V to the relative Major. The A sections then finish with a IImi7b5 - V7 back to Imi. The bridge takes place entirely in the relative Major and begins with a V7sus pedal. It then continues with various II - V's before returning back to the main theme once again.

Recordings:

This composition is one of Horace Silver's most popular, and it has been recorded over 120 times to date. The first recording comes from the 1956  album The Jazz Messengers. Horace would later re-record the composition with his quintet on his 1960 album Horace-Scope at a much brighter tempo. "Nica's Dream" is one of the many compositions written for and inspired by Pannonica de Koenigswarter; a leading patron of jazz music in her time who was a scion to the Rothschild family.

JGC Top Picks:

Horace Silver, Horace-Scope, 1960

Oscar Peterson, Mellow Mood, 1968

Dave Liebman, Setting the Standard, 1992