18th Hole – Hank Mobley

An exciting stop-time drum feature in a classic Hank Mobley style. The A section theme is a snappy two-measure riff that launches a drum solo break. The two A sections are different: the two phrases of A1 have four-measure drum breaks, while in A2 the breaks are shortened to two measures and the first phrase is a half step higher. The bridge is 16 measures long (shown as two B sections; the melody of each begins the same) with pedal-like rhythm sections figures that imply a Latin groove. C has two-measure drum breaks like A2, but the riff stays in the key of F throughout.

The changes of the head are extremely simple—there's really only two chords! The A section riff is all on F6, going to G♭6 at the start of A2. The bridge is modal, staying on Fmaj7(♯11) or F Lydian; some of the piano voicings side-slip to G♭maj7(♯11) though the bass figure stays on F.

Solos are on F "rhythm changes" but with the bridge the same as that of the head including all rhythm section figures. Philly Joe Jones on the recording plays swing time around the bridge hits in the solos, but as on the head the bridge can have a Latin groove.

A Concert Condensed Score is available that shows all the rhythm section figures; our lead sheet only shows the melody. On the recording, the horns play the entire melody in octaves.

There has been some confusion surrounding this song's title, as on this album the titles for 18th Hole and Early Morning Stroll were swapped. Other recordings of both songs have established their true titles—click on the second album cover for David Schumacher's version of 18th Hole.

For more Hank Mobley drum features that he recorded with Philly Joe Jones , check out Workout and Out Of Joe's Bag. Like 18th Hole, both feature rhythmic two-measure riffs alternated with drum breaks.