Tag: jazz licks

A Jazz Lick From Bach? Yes Indeed!

A recent biography of jazz tenor sax giant John Coltrane verified that he had indeed studied the wonderful Bach Cello Suites.  The suites, though quite challenging, are a joy to play, and they provide numerous opportunities to build your tone, technique, and conception.  As it turns out, they also contain some amazing phrases which can be adapted as jazz improv “licks.”  What do you think of this one?   It’s from Bach Cello Suite Number 2, “Allemande,” bar 21.    Play it through in all 12 keys (see chart below) and let us know whether Bach gives you ideas for your jazz improvisation.

BACH CELLO SUITE II, ALLEMANDE bar 21

Cannonball Adderley: The Way You Look Tonight

Cannonball Adderley’s solo on “The Way You Look Tonight” is an amazing tourdeforce!  He blazes through an entire chorus in 53 seconds.  But, if you play this solo**  at half speed, it is as melodic as a Johnny Hodges invention.  Played in concert F, it is written for alto sax in D major.  In this key, the bridge modulates to F major.  However, the wonderful phrase shown below actually begins in G minor and ends in F major.  Try playing this lick in all 12 keys.  It works well over a II-V change.  If you cannot figure it out on your own, email me for a free chart of the lick in all 12 keys. 

**   This solo is found in “The Julian Cannonball Adderley Collection” edited by Tim Price, published by Hal Leonard.