Style:

Swing, taken at a wide variety of tempos.

Form:

A-B-A (36 Bars) [14-8-14]

Arrangements:

The last 4 bars of the A sections during the head are usually played with a Latin feel while the remainder of the tune swung.

Key:

Db Major

Harmony/Overview:

Although the harmony of this composition is centered mainly around II - V's it  is complex and not very conventional. The A sections begin with a II - V  to IMaj7, only it is preceded by a chromatic II - V from above. A V7#5  of III then resolves deceptively to a II - V of IVMaj7 before a minor II  - V of III sets up the final III - VI - II - V which concludes the form. The bridge begins on IIImi7 and continues with a series of  chromatic Dominant 7 chords.

Recordings:

This  song has been recorded over 110 times to date and it is one of Benny  Golson's most popular compositions. It was first recorded in 1955 by Miles Davis on his album Miles: The New Miles Davis Quintet.  Countless recording have been made by many of the jazz titans of the  20th century from the likes of Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones, Blue Mitchell, and Jackie McLean to name a few. It continues to be performed  frequently to this day and remains a popular jam session number

JGC Top Picks:

Herbie Hancock, Herbie Hancock Trio, 1982

Ambrose Akinmusire, Prelude ... to Cora, 2008

Will Vinson, Live at Smalls, 2013