Style:

Swing, usually played at an up tempo.

Form:

A-A-B-A (48 Bars) [12-12-12-12]

Arrangements:

The head arrangement features many orchestrated shots throughout, and also changes to a 6/8 Afro Cuban groove for the duration of the bridge. The 3  part horn arrangement heard on the original recording from the 1957 album Coltrane is also often used in performances.

Key:

Eb minor

Harmony/Overview:

The changes of this composition are very bop oriented, and encapsulate the musical stylings of John Coltrane very well in his 'post-bop' era of musical development which would span from the late 1950's - early 1960's. The A sections begin by descending II - V's in whole-steps before reaching the tonic minor. The remainder of the tune continues with various II - V's, changing key centers frequently.

Recordings:

Not Coltrane's most widely known composition, it has only been recorded  around 30 times to date. The first and only time John Coltrane would record the piece would be on his debut album as a leader entitled Coltrane in 1957. Many notable musicians have recorded it since then however from the likes of Kenny Garrett, Harold Mabern, and Eric Alexander to name a  few.

JGC Top Picks:

Kenny Garrett, African Exchange Student, 1990

Eric Alexander, Solid!, 1998

Vincent Herring, Simple Pleasure, 2001