A blues head in a bebop style—but not without the defining characteristics of the Booker Little sound: lines that twist and turn unpredictably through the changes, with well-timed pauses on poignant upper extensions. The changes are essentially the descending blues variation often called "Bird blues," with a tritone sub II-V7 in the tenth measure. There is an eight-measure intro at a slower tempo than the head. It features a rhythmic bass line that implies chromatically shifting harmonies, again accompanying some classic Little lines, ending with three measures of pedal on beats 2 and 4. This intro implies a D♭ major tonality, shifting unexpectedly in the melody of the eighth measure to E♭ for the head.
About the arrangement: Gandolfo's Bounce was originally recorded in a piano-less quintet setting with three horns: trumpet, tenor sax and tuba. In this arrangement the tuba has a "tenor line" in whole and half notes through the intro and head, independent of the melody and bass. The trumpet and tenor, which begin the intro in octaves but play in harmony for most of the head, work as a two-horn arrangement without the tuba part. We have second parts available; the notes of the tuba line are indicated in circles below the staff in our Concert Condensed Score. This score, which shows the bass line through the intro, is also the rhythm section part; for settings with piano, with or without the two-horn arrangement, pianists should read the Condensed Score.
For more Booker Little compositions recorded with Max Roach's quintet, check out Minor Mode and Larry-LaRue; like Gandolfo's Bounce, these songs also begin with an intro a bit slower than the head. "Award Winning Drummer" was the last of Max Roach's three albums featuring this quintet lineup with Ray Draper on tuba. A week after these sessions, Max was back in the studio to record "The Many Sides Of Max" for Mercury, with Julian Priester on trombone replacing Draper.
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...
