Style:

A combination of straight and swing feels, typically played at brighter tempos.

Form:

A-A-B-A (32 Bars) [8-8-8-8]

Arrangements:

It is common to play the A sections straight with the exception of the final 2 bars, and the B section is swung. This arrangement is commonly used for the  head only while the solos typically tend to remain swung throughout.

Intro:

The bassline that moves from bII7 - Imi6 is usually used to begin the performance. There is also a counter-melody that goes along with it.

Send-Off:

After the head in a 12 bar send-off is used to lead into the solos. This is  then followed by a solo break which is commonly 4 bars long. It is  typically only used the first time around, although it is sometimes used  to introduce each new soloist. This section is played entirely swung.

Shout Chorus:

After all the melodic soloists are finished a shout chorus is sometimes  included. The shout is played during the A sections while the B section  is left open to the drummer. Sonny Rollins offers a concise  interpretation of this arrangement on his recording from A Night at the Village Vanguard.

Key:

D minor

Harmony/Overview:

The harmony of this composition is mainly functional. The main theme revolves around the constant arrival of bII7 - Imi, which is essentially V7alt - Imi (tri-tone substitution). The bridge is identical to that of  "Alone Together", taking place in the relative Major and moving from  II - V of II before a II - V - I.

Recordings:

This song has been recorded over 400 times to date and is a widely popular standard. The first recording comes from Sarah Vaughan in 1944 and was  originally entitled "Interlude", featuring lyrics written by Sarah  Vaughan and Anita O'Day. One of the earliest instrumental recordings of Dizzy Gillespie performing the piece comes a 1945 session with Boyd  Raeburn and his Orchestra. Dizzy would later record and perform this  piece many times throughout his career, leaving behind several particularly inspired recordings.

JGC Top Picks:

Sonny Rollins, A Night at the Village Vanguard, 1957

McCoy Tyner, Today and Tomorrow, 1963

Dave Liebman, Besame Mucho and Other Latin Jazz Standards, 1993