Lester Young - Countless Blues (9/27/38)

Pure beauty from Prez on the clarinet. Thanks to Richard Tabnik for recording this solo on his amazing "Solo Journey" album.

Coleman Hawkins - It's The Talk Of The Town (9/22/33)

Happy Birthday to the Bean! Half speed ballads are where it's at!

Clifford Brown - Joy Spring (7/12/54)

A classic solo by a classy trumpet player.

© Herman Leonard Photography, LLC 

www.hermanleonard.com

Hank Mobley - Remember (2/7/60)

One of my all time favorite solos. Even though Hank plays every lick in the book on this one, the way he strings everything together is just too perfect.

Warne Marsh - Yardbird Suite (1/16/58)

Warne Marsh's birthday was yesterday (October 26, 1927). He would have been 84. This solo is from the classic trio recording with Paul Chambers and Paul Motian. Also, check out this sweet video.

Lee Konitz - All of Me (8/29/61)

Lee's birthday was last Thursday (10/13). Check out this classic recording with Elvin Jones and Sonny Dallas.

Oscar Pettiford - The Man I Love (12/23/43)

Our first bass solo! I love what Charlie Haden had to say about this track: "He had a really clear melodic concept. I remember on this one song, "The Man I Love," where he plays the melody. You can hear him breathing: he put his whole being into every note he played. That's how I try to play, too."

Bud Powell - Ornithology (5/15/50)

Tomorrow (September 27, 1924) is Bud Powell's birthday! Thanks to saxophonist Nick Lyons for suggesting this one.

© Herman Leonard Photography, LLC

www.hermanleonard.com

John Coltrane - But Not For Me (10/26/60)

One of the most inspired tag-endings of all time! The momentum they have on this is incredible. Coltrane's birthday is this Friday (born September 23, 1926).

Charlie Christian - Benny's Bugle (11/7/40)

Our first guitar solo! Bill Frisell has been playing this solo a lot lately.

Sonny Rollins/Elvin Jones - I've Got You Under My Skin (11/3/57)

Thanks to trumpeter Theo Padouvas for suggesting this. Sonny Rollins will turn 82 this Wednesday, and Elvin Jones would have been 85 this Friday. Check out the trading at the end!

Gary Thomas - The Song Is You (5/90)

Big thanks to vocalist Lorin Benedict for sending this along. Dennis Chambers' drumming on this is crazy!

Lennie Tristano - Background Music (6/6/64)

Big thanks to alto saxophonist Nick Lyons for suggesting this amazing solo on the changes to "All Of Me." In Nick's words: "Intense! He abandons the form of the tune - the solo creates its own form. The melodic line is beautiful with a gorgeous density." I wish there were more recordings of Lennie playing this way.

Charlie Parker - Embraceable You [Take A] (10/28/47)

Thanks again to guitarist John Klopotowski for recommending this beautiful Charlie Parker solo.

Lester Young - Tickle Toe (3/19/40)

Be sure to check out the version on Lee Konitz's album "Duets".

Tony Fruscella - I'll Be Seeing You (4/1/55)

Thanks to our German friend Maurice Kühn for sending this solo by trumpet player Tony Fruscella. According to Maurice "since he died young and only made one recording [as a leader] (due to his drug addiction) he´s almost unknown to most jazz musicians." In the 80s bassist Red Mitchell wrote lyrics to the solo and overdubbed himself singing with the record.

Charlie Parker - Diverse (5/5/49)

A completely amazing alternate take solo from Bird. The long phrase he plays at the end turns me around every time.

Coleman Hawkins - Body and Soul (10/11/39)

For those of you that haven't heard this one I have just one question: what planet have you been living on? Thanks to blogger Fernando Ortiz de Urbina for this recommendation.

Warne Marsh - Loco 47 (5/14/77)

Big thanks to guitarist John Klopotowski for recommending this great solo on the changes of "This Can't Be Love." John studied and performed with Warne Marsh in the 80's and wrote a book that you can read for free here. Check it out!

Louis Armstrong - Stardust (11/4/31)

Today is the day that Louis Armstrong considered to be his birthday.

Benny Carter - I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me (5/40)

Thanks to Ethan Iverson for posting a transcription of this solo on his blog. This is apparently Lee Konitz's favorite Benny Carter solo.

Bill Evans - My Funny Valentine (5/14/62)

This week's solo was suggested by our dear friend pianist Michael Coleman. In Michael's words this solo is "almost too perfect."

Elvin Jones - Black Nile (4/29/64)

Thanks to Sam Ospovat for suggesting this incredible Elvin solo. The band's entrance at the end is pretty trippy.

Bix Beiderbecke - I'm Coming, Virginia (5/13/27)

Thanks to Mr. Scott Brazieal for suggesting this solo. Also features the great Eddie Lang on guitar and Frankie Trumbauer on c-melody sax. Those chords at 2:59 give me goosebumps every time.

Roy Eldridge - Rockin' Chair (7/2/41)

According to Connie Crothers, this was Lennie Tristano's favorite Roy Eldridge solo.

Chu Berry - Limehouse Blues (3/23/37)

Thanks to Lorenzo Sanguedolce for giving us the idea to post this amazing solo.

Lennie Tristano - Line Up (1954-55)

Don't hurt yourself trying to listen to this one.

Louis Armstrong - Hotter Than That (12/13/27)

Louis rocks the dotted quarters during his vocal chorus, accompanied by the great Lonnie Johnson.

Lee Konitz - Subconscious-Lee (1/11/49)

Young Lee Konitz with some intense variations on Cole Porter's "What is This Thing Called Love?"

Warne Marsh - How High The Moon (7/9/53)

16 bars of improvised perfection played in the presence (no pun intended) of the master Lester Young.
 

Charlie Parker - Yardbird Suite (3/28/46)

In 1956 Lee Konitz had this to say about this solo: 

     "I feel that I have to use every ounce of energy in my body to play this properly...I 
     learned this solo off the record...because it's perfect music to me. And through playing 
     the notes, I was able to absorb some of the essence of the feeling that he used."

Lester Young - Lady Be Good (11/9/36)

Kicking it off with this classic Prez solo from his very first recording date with Count Basie.