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This is Booker Little's classic waltz, which he recorded three times under three different titles. Booker's first recording of this composition was as a medium waltz; for his second recording, it became a medium slow waltz. This lead sheet comes from the third time he recorded it. For this recording, he transformed the song into a medium up 3/4 with two horns playing the melody in octaves, and he treated the melody a little differently at this faster tempo. There's no written introduction or ending.
The sample audio clip starts right on the melody, but Booker's actual recording starts with eight measures of drums.
Booker Little only lived to the age of 23, so we are very lucky to have three recordings by him of this, his classic waltz. He approached the composition differently each time he recorded it, as well as naming the composition differently each time. It's interesting to compare all three to get further insight into this remarkable young composer and trumpet player. Lead sheets for all three are available. Waltz Of The Demons February 2, 1960 The Grand Valse April 13, 1960 Booker's Waltz July 16, 1961
A tragic loss to the world of jazz at age 23! Hearing is certainly believing: in Booker's short life, he still was able to leave us with recordings and compositions that are guaranteed to astonish and captivate. His effortless-sounding virtuosity ranks him as one of the greatest trumpet players. He was also a gifted composer, who obviously took composing very seriously, as his recording output shows. Booker began on trumpet when he was 12 and played with Johnny Griffin and the MJT + 3 while attending the Chicago Conservatory. He worked with Max Roach (1958-1959) and then freelanced in New York. He recorded with Roach and Abbey Lincoln, was on John Coltrane's Africa/Brass album, and was well-documented during a July 1961 gig at the Five Spot with Eric Dolphy. Booker Little led four sessions before his tragic early death. Read more...
