Jose's Lament – David Hazeltine

A medium-tempo song in David Hazeltine's signature melodic, modern post-bop style. Jose's Lament alternates between a laid-back swing and a 12/8 Latin groove, the latter used on the last eight measures of the head. The 32-measure form is divided into uneven sections: 14-measure A, 10-measure B and 8-measure C. The A and B sections start similarly but go in different directions in the fourth measure.

The melody is relatively simple, complemented and occasionally broken up by rhythm section figures throughout A and B. Though these sections establish an F minor key center, the last eight measures alternate two measures each of F7 and E♭7. In the second measure of each of these chords, a triad is added a major sixth above; written for example as D/F7, this chord is the same as F13(♭9) but with a more obvious upper structure. The piano doubles the melody for a brief blues-scale lick in the fourth measure of B.

The last eight measures are also used as an intro; our lead sheets show the top line of the piano voicings. Solos are on a simplified version of the head changes, swinging throughout. The ending vamps the last eight measures of the head.

Joe Farnsworth's second album as a leader, "It's Prime Time" features a variety of lineups, all with Ron Carter on bass. Other songs on this all-star album feature veteran hard-bop masters Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson and Harold Mabern. David Hazeltine played on Farnsworth's next album "Drumspeak" with four others of our composers: Fuller, Eric Alexander, Jim Rotondi, Steve Nelson.

David Hazeltine and Ron Carter appear together on one other album so far: David's 2018 trio recording "The Time Is Now," with Al Foster on drums. Ron and Joe played on Eric Alexander's 2002 album "Nightlife In Tokyo" with Harold Mabern on piano, as well as pianist Mike LeDonne's trio album "Night Song" in 2005.