It’s Willie Time #1 – Satin Doll

gary smulyan | January 14, 2011

This is the first entry in "It's Willie Time."  This is actually the first jazz lesson that I took part in for Jazz Everyone.  Here Willie and I start putting some of the jazz language together to look at different improvisational ideas for the tune "Satin Doll." Willie starts it off by building simple melodies and patterns while running them through the changes.  Then I take a turn using a simple lick and running it through the changes.  This form of thematic improvisation is something Sonny Rollins uses all the time. Willie and I continue to explore different ideas for improvisation including playing off the arpeggios, and the use of the pentatonic pairs, which Willie's language system is based on.  So check it out and let me know what you think using the comments below.