Systems – Grant Stewart

A challenging post-bop line, loosely based on "Rhythm changes." The melody is angular with a lot of skips. The second half of the A section has a distinctive pattern: a whole step up, a fourth up, another whole step up and a fourth down. This pattern is developed downward in the first A section but continues up in the second A and C sections. On the A sections of the head the changes are not actually played; the bass walks freely on B♭ major. Ihe bridge changes are the same as those of The Eternal Triangle. At the end of the second A section and C section, the melody ends on an A which is harmonized with an A triad over B♭. The solos use standard "Rhythm changes" for the A and C sections with the same bridge.

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About the arrangement: The two tenor saxes play in unison for much of the head, harmonizing in a few places. They are in fourths and fifths on the third and fourth measures; the first A section ends on a third (F and D). The second halves of the second A section and C section are voiced all in fourths, going to a sixth (A and C♯) at the end. The last measure of the bridge is harmonized in thirds.

Rhythm section players should get the Condensed Score.

Eric Alexander makes two guest appearances on the "Estate" album. Alexander and Stewart recorded three full quintet albums together; the first, "Wailin'," was recorded in 2004 with pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Kenny Washington. "Cookin'," the second Alexander/Stewart collaboration, was recorded only two days before the "Estate" session with Hazeltine, bassist John Webber and drummer Joe Farnsworth; this album and their third, 2010's "Tenor Time" with the same lineup, were released with the band name Reeds and Deeds. The two tenor saxophonists also played on fellow tenorman Harry Allen's 2015 septet album "The Candy Men."