Isfahan

[Jakeweiser]

So I got a shit kicking yesterday for not knowing enough Ellington/Strayhorn tunes in my lesson. Granted I don't know many, and in fact have been vocal in the past about my dislike of Ellington (yeah yeah, you can flame me all you want, but it's personal taste). I do like Strayhorn though and find his music more entertaining.

Anyway so I left with task to learn as many Strayhorn/Ellington standards as I can between now and the end of the semester and keep a general list of about 10 standards or so between now and my jury on the 4th of May.

Anyway I'm pretty enthralled with Isfahan. Not just the melody but the harmonization and I'm wondering what people's thoughts around this tune are, any things you've found out while learning it and what recordings to check out. I only have Joe Henderson's version right now.

[EdByrne]

So I got a shit kicking yesterday for not knowing enough Ellington/Strayhorn tunes in my lesson. Granted I don't know many, and in fact have been vocal in the past about my dislike of Ellington (yeah yeah, you can flame me all you want, but it's personal taste). I do like Strayhorn though and find his music more entertaining.

Anyway so I left with task to learn as many Strayhorn/Ellington standards as I can between now and the end of the semester and keep a general list of about 10 standards or so between now and my jury on the 4th of May.

Anyway I'm pretty enthralled with Isfahan. Not just the melody but the harmonization and I'm wondering what people's thoughts around this tune are, any things you've found out while learning it and what recordings to check out. I only have Joe Henderson's version right now.

Hey Jake, did you know that Isfahan is Nahafsi--backwards? :laugh: :p :secret

Seriously, though, you've gotta include Lush Life in this list: It's the finest jazz standard ever written--on a lotta levels!

I've a cool reharmonization of it if you'd like.

[Jakeweiser]

My 10 tunes for the rest of the semester now are 5 Elli/Strays and 5 others

Isfahan
Lush Life
Solitude
In a Sentimental Mood (revisited, used to know it, forget the bridge)
Cottontail

others

Yes or No
Lover
Come Rain or Come Shine
Moon River
????? have to pick 1 more

I'll take anything you'd send me Ed, I'm willing to bet it's "outtasight."

[EdByrne]

My 10 tunes for the rest of the semester now are 5 Elli/Strays and 5 others

Isfahan
Lush Life
Solitude
In a Sentimental Mood (revisited, used to know it, forget the bridge)
Cottontail

others

Yes or No
Lover
Come Rain or Come Shine
Moon River
????? have to pick 1 more

I'll take anything you'd send me Ed, I'm willing to bet it's "outtasight."

I'll have to search for it--I'll get back to ya witdis!

I'd include Invitation. Also: Dolphin Dance.

[Jakeweiser]

I know both of those ones :)

Yeah just let me know I'll certainly look at it and no doubt enjoy it

I really need to hit the library on this one... the Joe version I have is duo with bass so getting the chords is proving to be a challenge. I'll have to find the original I think.

Pretty tune.

[bwv1005]

I have the score for Isfahan from the Far East Suite. That's the definitive version that you should check out...

[Stackabones]

I have the score for Isfahan from the Far East Suite. That's the definitive version that you should check out...

That's the one. Hodges is sublimely beautiful on it.

[ingeneri]

Blue Melody from the Far East Suite rocks!

You can do cool chord melody stuff with Mood Indigo, I like to do it uptempto like Ellington re-recorded it in the early 1960s.

In a Mellow Tone is another favorite. Check out the 20 minute monster version Ben Webster does on BW and Freinds.

I've been working on Just Squeeze Me. I learned it after hearing the Herb Ellis/Duke Robilllard duet version, but have always loved that great bass intro from the original.

Chelsea Bridge is good for another ballad, nice use of melodic minor. But I'd love to hear a guitar play Single Petal of a Rose from the Queen's Suite. Come Sunday is another one with an insufficient number of instrumental versions.

[OnyaBirri]

Isfahan is definitely in my top ten Ellington tunes.

[Phat Boi]

Stayhorns changes are pure genius. I will second Chealsea Bridge. WOW what a tune.

It don't mean a thing (if it ain't got that swing) is another tune you can really stretch out on.

[jazzbluescat]

According to Vol.66 of Aebersold's series Isfahan and Chelsea Bridge are Strayhorn tunes.

[OnyaBirri]

When I said "Ellington tune" I meant in the broadest sense of the meaning.

[the magnificent goldberg]

One Ellington tune I heard for the first time last year and really love it is "Thanks for the beautiful land on the delta". There's a recording of it by Shelley Carroll, a Texas tenor player from Houston (Leaning House Jazz BB-003).

MG

[aiq]

Martino does a beautiful version of "Come Sunday" on The Exit. Similar in mood to his rendering of "Crescent" in concert on recent tours. Great example of space, something many don't give Martino credit for using.

Jake, you were a block away from the Ellington Bridge when you were on Biltmore street...the Duke is a DC native..."Isfahan" is so lovely on FES.

I urge everyone to Google Isfahan to check out the dazzling beauty of the architecture of that Iranian city...then write a letter to your Congress member to stop in the name of love...exactly who is proliferating nuclearly ("nucularly"?), one might ask?

(forgive my momentary political lapse)

[Stackabones]

I urge everyone to Google Isfahan to check out the dazzling beauty of the architecture of that Iranian city...

People from Isfahan have a saying, Isfahan is half the world (sounds better in Farci, Esfahan Nesf-e Jahan). Gloriously beautiful city! I hope to visit one day.

[tweebinmusic]

A Flower is A Lovesome thing, and U.M.M.G are two other great strayhorn tunes.

[El Barrio]

I agree with the above poster - U.M.M.G. is one of my favorite jazz songs, period. I have an incredible trio version - the Ben Waltzer Trio, from his album, "A Hundred Dreams Ago." Check it out, it grooves like no other.

[saxymanzach]

You should check out Joe Henderson's "Isfahan" on his Lush Life album. Just him and Christian McBride and one of the greatest takes of all time.

[ndhjazz]

"Lotus Blossom" is beautiful.

"African Flower" is a good Ellington tune, as is "Mount Harissa" from the Far East Suite.

other suggestions:

"A Flower is a Lovesome Thing"
"Black Beauty"
"Raincheck"
Check out Russell Gunn's version of "Caravan"
"Anatomy Of a Murder" (theme)
"Blood Count"
"Pie Eye's Blues"
"Black and Tan Fantasy"
"What Am I Here For?"
"I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)"
"C Jam Blues"
"Sophisticated Lady"
"Limbo Jazz" (with Coleman Hawkins)
"Prelude to a Kiss"
"Chinoiserie" (from the Afro-Eurasian Eclipse)

There's a wealth of material besides stuff like "Take the A Train" and "Mood Indigo"...you just have to search for it and believe.

[Michael Weiss]

Check out this version of Isfahan we did with Johnny Griffin (http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,192243,00.html)

[Jakeweiser]

Michael I'll be coming to see you play here at UNT I believe Thursday or did I miss the gig?

Looking forward to it. Maybe you could play it live ;)

[Michael Weiss]

The gig is on Tuesday evening next week. I don't know if I'll play Isfahan but at the very least I'll show it to you.

[Jakeweiser]

I'm looking forward to it.

[Slant]

BTW, from what I've heard, just because a tune has been historically attributed to Ellington doesn't mean it wasn't really a Strayhorn tune! So, there's a whole bunch of stuff that may or may not really belong to S., if his peers/colleagues are to be believed.

[Shane Reilly]

I just found this forum and...WOW...what a great resource,well done people.The Far East Suite for me is indespensible Ellington/Strayhorn,and the dialogue between Joe and Chris Mcbride on Joe's Strayhorn tribute is a quiet treasure.Just wanted to make a joyful noise for the Duke,I'm done now,oh yeah..I think it was Kenny Burrell that said "Ellington Is Forever".
Cheers,Shane.

[rebeccasmith]

Am I crazy or do I remember a beautiful rendition of Isfahan by Archie Shepp playing and Charlie Haden?

[Prezfan]

"Intimacy of The Blues" has always been one of my favorite Strayhorn tunes. Jake, you have to check out 'The Far East Suite' album. In my opinion it is the pinnacle of the many great collaborations of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.