Years ago, my partner on B-3, Tommy Johnston and I were at the Midland Tavern in Frankfort. A lanky kid came in with jeans and boots. He was dancing up a storm. When an elderly lady asked fr the Tennessee Waltz, my smart-ass partner began playing it as a jazz waltz (Think Gravy waltz).
The kid walked up and said, "man, don't mess with the tune". Johnson, then about 50 and a tough police judge in the daytime said, "Yea? You play, man". "A little trumpet", replied the kid.
"Well go get that bad boy", Johnson said with a smile, ready to bury the kid. He comes back in with a paper bag. Inside was a leather case. Inside was a top end Benge.
Johnson said "what do you want to play", showing a little concern when he saw what was in the bag. "Anything you call", said the kid.
Tom smiled, ready to slam the hammer on the guy and said "how about FOUR"? "Fine" said the kid. "What key" says Johnson. ""Stock" says the kid, and hit the first note. Johnson spent the rest of that song sweating and trying to keep up.
The kid was first chair in the Stan Kenton band, on vacation in Frankfort, visiting family.
"Sir", the kid said "I wasn't at all trying to be a smart-ass, but sometimes, the best thing is to play the tune".
Sometimes, improvisation that gets too far from the lead line, or too far into running alternate chords does a lot of harm. In this case, the only accomplishment was the woman thought we didn't know the tune. Not good in a dining room.
I don't f*** with the Jobim chords when playing "Ipanima" or "Misty", although I sometimes play Misty "Up".
Great kid, great player and a valuable lesson.
Russ
Edited by captain Russ (08/09/19 11:31 AM)