Graylon – Donald Brown

Graylon has a two-part form: a slow even-eighths feel—a bit faster and more animated than a ballad—on the A section is alternated with a Latin groove twice as fast for the B section. This is a lyrical song in Donald Brown's signature style, with an expressive melody but no obvious key center. The form has an irregular length: 10-measure A and nine-measure B. Solos are on the same form as the head. There is a coda which tags the first four measures of B twice more (changing the melody notes a bit to fit with the "pickup" phrases) before finishing the rest of the section.

The second measure of B has a piano countermelody which is shown in our lead sheets. Our Concert Condensed Score shows the voicings for this line, as well as for another piano line in the third measure of A. This condensed score is also the rhythm section part. On the recording the horns play unison for most of the head, but the alto sax doubles the top line of the piano countermelody at the second measure of B and plays harmony notes for some of the following melody phrase.

Donald Brown named this song for his youngest brother, a bassist; on the recording, bassist Robert Hurst plays the first solo. Hurst has played on many recordings alongside Donald Brown, including Donald's debut as a leader, "Early Bird," in 1987 as well as Buddy Montgomery's last album as a leader, 2000's "A Love Affair In Paris." In the week before the "People Music" sessions, Hurst also recorded on trio albums by pianists Mulgrew Miller and Ellis Marsalis.