Effi

Although we first heard "Effi" from Bobby Hutcherson's Patterns several years ago, revisiting classic jazz-waltz tunes reminded us of how great this Stanley Cowell-penned composition was. A live recording from 1965 without Hutcherson is also quite enchanting.

Blue Lace

Another delightful and introspective jazz-waltz, penned by the inimitable Lee Morgan. It's amazing how varied and complex the waltz time pieces of Morgan can be. 

Kozo's Waltz

As a fan of the jazz waltz, Lee Morgan's "Kozo's Waltz" has long been a personal favorite. Blakey manages to insert a seamless drum solo into a song in waltz time. That inimitable vamp, so clearly a product of the funky Morgan, features Morgan as well as another personal favorite horn player, Wayne Shorter. 

Pretty Eyes

Jazz waltz with something of the Latin tinge. Horace Silver at his prime, with Joe Henderson on tenor. Cape Verdean Blues is a classic LP of 1960s jazz and hearing Joe Henderson stretch out and start cookin' on my favorite track from the album is priceless. Unfortunately, it lacks the all-encompassing Latin rhythms of the LP, and I can't help but wish Horace's solo wasn't so slow-paced.

Waltz For Ruth

A beautiful ballad featuring John Gilmore, Lee Morgan, and Curtis Fuller from 1965. Written by pianist John Hicks, this sentimental waltz embodies all of my favorite attributes of a jazz waltz: syncopated valse rhythm, playful and sweet melodies, delicate piano solos, and even a boisterous but not too out of way trombone solo! Grachan Moncur III is still my go-to trombonist in jazz, but Fuller always knew how to blend into any ensemble or group. 

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A jazz-waltz kind of week...