[billpf]

Greetings fellow B&I Forum members! It is my great honour to be your host for this month's B&I TOTM.

For this month I have chosen an old favourite of mine, "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You".

This tune was written by Don Redman in 1929. Redman was an alto and clarinet player but also a composer and arranger. He is regarded as one of the most influential figures of 1920s jazz and in his work as an arranger was responsible for many of the developments that led to big band swing. I have attached a YouTube link to a 1929 recording featuring Redman on alto and vocals. At this early stage the song was entitled "Gee, Ain't I Good To You". The "Baby" was added some time later! There is much to enjoy about this version, including Redman's sax solo and vocal but also the sophisticated arrangement!

Don Redman

Since Redman's original recording the song has been covered countless times and I have included links to a few of my favourite versions, but there are many more, as a YouTube search will reveal. As this is a saxophone forum I have included versions from such giants as Chu Berry, Ben Webster, and Stanley Turrentine, which will hopefully inspire you all!

Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass - (vocal)

T Bone Walker - (vocal)

Chu Berry - (includes vocal, but alas not from Chu!)

Ben Webster and Sweets Edison - (instrumental)

Stanley Turrentine and the 3 Sounds - (instrumental)

Kenny Burrell - (instrumental, an absolute classic despite no sax!)

I have attached leadsheets for C, Bb, and Eb instruments. I transcribed these in Notion which worked very well except that, as a new user of the app, I was unable to work out how to add the note that appears on the sheetmusic that states - 'Melody is freely interpreted, in a blues style'. This is very important and I would encourage you all to follow this instruction!

View attachment Gee Baby Ain’t I Good To You - C .pdf
View attachment Gee Baby Ain’t I Good To You - Bb.pdf
View attachment Gee Baby Ain’t I Good To You - Eb.pdf

Also attached are several backing tracks. There are a few more online, some transcribed up a fifth for female vocals. One of the features of Notion is the ability to quickly transcribe scores to different keys so please let me know if you would like me to do this for you.

View attachment Gee, Baby Ain't I Good To You (Redman) - Backing track + music sheet.mp3
View attachment GEE BABY AIN'T I GOOD TO YOU chord progression - Backing Track Play Along Jazz Standard Bible 2.mp3
View attachment Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You (85bpm Swing16beats) Play-along funky arranged Backing Track ??????.mp3
View attachment Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You (Karaoke Version).mp3

If you are unfamiliar with the tune I would recommend that you listen to one of the other vocal versions I have attached links to. This will tell you all you need to know about how to phrase the melody line.

One of the things I have really enjoyed about the B&I TOTM forum is hearing recordings from players of all abilities, including some pretty heavy hitters I must say! I find their participation in our forum to be a real inspiration, and it reaffirms to me the sense of community amongst us, no matter whereabouts we are positioned on the saxophone ladder. So to our Advanced and Pro colleagues, please continue to join in!

I hope you all enjoy the challenge, and I am really looking forward to hearing your versions!

Bill

 

[mrpeebee]

Thanks for picking up the hosting task for this month Bill, well prepared.

I just added this month thread to the B&I TOTM index thread:
https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showt...ce-January-2010-onwards&p=4029854#post4029854

Looking forward to a good month!

 

[DaveEb]

Great pick Bill. Never played this tune before looking forward to it.

 

[billpf]

Thanks Dave, I'm looking forward to hearing your version!

Bill

 

[billpf]

To get the ball rolling here is my first effort

https://soundcloud.com/user-826011730%2Fgee-baby-aint-i

 

[Alex Nyman]

One of the things I have really enjoyed about the B&I TOTM forum is hearing versions from players of all abilities, including some pretty heavy hitters I must say! I find their particpation in our forum to be a real inspiration, and it reaffirms to me the sense of community amongst us, no matter whereabouts we are positioned on the saxophone ladder. So to our Advanced and Pro colleagues, please continue to join in!

I hope you all enjoy the challenge, and I am really looking forward to hearing your versions!

Very nice sentiments Bill. This works both ways and of course the TOTM I'm currently hosting is open to all comers. Best, Alex

 

[billpf]

One of the things I have really enjoyed about the B&I TOTM forum is hearing versions from players of all abilities, including some pretty heavy hitters I must say! I find their particpation in our forum to be a real inspiration, and it reaffirms to me the sense of community amongst us, no matter whereabouts we are positioned on the saxophone ladder. So to our Advanced and Pro colleagues, please continue to join in!

I hope you all enjoy the challenge, and I am really looking forward to hearing your versions!

Very nice sentiments Bill. This works both ways and of course the TOTM I'm currently hosting is open to all comers. Best, Alex

Thanks Alex!

 

[Alex Nyman]

Hey Bill. Great start to your TOTM. I'm really feeling the blues in your playing and you follow the form harmonically really well. Love the smoke in your sound...excellent job. Best, Alex

 

[Brendan]

To get the ball rolling here is my first effort
https://soundcloud.com/user-826011730%2Fgee-baby-aint-i

Love the tone here Bill - different than your Desmond sound of last month !
Great blues feel ... I feel like drowning my sorrows right now ! :bluewink: :mrgreen:

 

[billpf]

Hey Bill. Great start to your TOTM. I'm really feeling the blues in your playing and you follow the form harmonically really well. Love the smoke in your sound...excellent job. Best, Alex

Thanks Alex, your comments are greatly appreciated!

Bill

 

[billpf]

Love the tone here Bill - different than your Desmond sound of last month !
Great blues feel ... I feel like drowning my sorrows right now ! :bluewink: :mrgreen:

Thanks Brendan!

I think I might have been trying to subconsciously channel Johnny Hodges last month. If it came out bearing any sort of resemblance to Paul Desmond - I'll gladly take it!

Bill

 

[Brendan]

If it came out bearing any sort of resemblance to Paul Desmond - I'll gladly take it!

My mistake ... I had a marathon listening session a couple of days ago and got you mixed up with another contributor. :faceinpalm:
Embarrassing ... but I couldn't let it go ! :bluewink::mrgreen:

 

[billpf]

My mistake ... I had a marathon listening session a couple of days ago and got you mixed up with another contributor. :faceinpalm:
Embarrassing ... but I couldn't let it go ! :bluewink::mrgreen:

Hmmm - I thought the Desmond comparison, (while very flattering), was stretching it a long way.

No offence taken!

Bill

 

[B Flat]

Never heard of this tune before, but I’m looking forward to learning it.
Nice choice.

 

[Brendan]

Hmmm - I thought the Desmond comparison, (while very flattering), was stretching it a long way. No offence taken!

Yeah .. Johnny Hodges was cooler and swung harder too.

 

[B Flat]

Yeah .. Johnny Hodges was cooler and swung harder too.

I've been listening to Johnny and Gerry Mulligan all week.
Have had the Gerry Mulligan meets Johnny Hodges album on loop in my car.
For me it's Johnny over Desmond hands down.

 

[Swaman]

Nice choice of tunes, Bill.
This is my favorite rendition by Joe Williams & the Thad Jones, Mel Lewis band. The words add so much to the feeling of the tune.

George

 

[mrpeebee]

Scott Hamilton has a nice version too (with Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar):

 

[guidocreo]

Never heard of this tune before; here are two takes with two different backing tracks to learn the tune:

I hope to do better in the month.

T Rampone & Cazzani R1 Jazz - JJ Giant 7* - Hartman Fiberreed Carbon Classic M

Ciao and keep you safe.

 

[swperry1]

Dood, The Ella version is beautiful!