[AndyW]

In 1947, I think, somebody recorded a live set by Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray, including a version of Dexter's "The Chase"

Unfortunately when it came to mastering the LP, the tape machine had a slightly lower speed than the machine used to make the recording, and the track was pitched a little lower than it had been live.

Lennie, understandably, transcribed the solo as he heard it, in B (for sax , A concert pitch), when he was working on his seminal
"Dexter Gordon - jazz saxophone solos" book (any sax player should own this )

But I'm convinced the original tenors were battling in C (Bb concert)

-so here's a transposition of Lennie's original transcription, I changed as little as possible, apart from the key*, and laid it out as similarly as I could.

note - apart from a contemporary studio session, Dexter recorded "the Chase" again in 1970, battling with tenor giant Gene Ammons. It's in the key of Bb concert.

(* except bar 50, I flattened those 7ths. Forgive me Lennie)

 

[SimonJazzSax]

Yup. The likely hood of what you just said is way higher than them playing in B at that time. I can't think of any rhythm changes recordings (off the top of my head) from the '40s that are in any key other than Bb, F or C. Trying to rack my brain for something in Eb even. I know some in Ab and G later in the 60's. Hmmm.

Thanks for the post.

Sent from my HD1925 using Tapatalk

 

[Sacks Of Phones]

The recorder would be running fast if normal playback speed made the recorded pitch lower.

 

[swperry1]

The recorder would be running fast if normal playback speed made the recorded pitch lower.

Yes. Yes it would.

 

[rhysonsax]

The recorder would be running fast if normal playback speed made the recorded pitch lower.

Isn't that exactly what the OP said ?

"Unfortunately when it came to mastering the LP, the tape machine had a slightly lower speed than the machine used to make the recording, and the track was pitched a little lower than it had been live.​

Rhys

 

[AndyW]

so - what do we reckon to "Mischievous Lady" : -

A or Bb ?? (i.e. C or B for tenor sax)