[J-Moen]

Welcome to the TOTM for June - This month featuring one of the all time classics - A Night in Tunisia by Dizzy Gillespie, with credit given to Frank Paparelli as well.

This great tune, also known as "Interlude," was written while Dizzy was with Benny Carter's Band and features A great style of Latin leading into a swing section, then a long interlude before a great set of Bebop changes. I am excited to hear this one from everyone! I noticed the Aebersold backing is kind of strange - and this doesn't seem to favor Tenor players as much, but I hope everyone enjoys!

Here's mine and most everyones favorite version:

And a great change on the tune from Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers:

And finally, here's some Sonny:

Here's some music and backings for everyone!
Backing:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pG7RuLvgF_Jl3C5Vza1OGMj3Igm9hh71/view?usp=sharing

More natural sounding Backing here:

Bb Instruments:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H6AZN5I6ZR9fWeFeqhwwC5LY9ZKCjtit/view?usp=sharing

Eb Instruments:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F_Sbr2H9jlr84RE3XWgT18XQva8VoPwE/view?usp=sharing

 

[Fltenor]

May I add Dexter's version from "Our man in Paris":

Plus a live version in Holland:

 

[J-Moen]

May I add Dexter's version from "Our man in Paris":

Plus a live version in Holland:

Of course! Always love hearing more Dexter!

 

[Saxy in San Diego]

Welcome to the TOTM for June - This month featuring one of the all time classics - A Night in Tunisia by Dizzy Gillespie, with credit given to Frank Paparelli as well.

Interesting choice Jared - I like it - it's possibly the most "covered" instrumental jazz composition in existence. I found 14 versions in my personal vinyl collection alone.
I've always played it on alto flute, but due to arthritis in both hands I can no longer play flute so I look forward to giving it a shot on tenor sax. Also, I just upgraded to the 2020 Band-in-a-Box with 'real tracks' so I will try to produce a decent backing track or two as well.

 

[mrpeebee]

Thanks Jared for picking and preparing this month TOTM.

I just added this edition to the main TOTM index:
https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showt...e-November-2009-onwards&p=4045310#post4045310

 

[Brendan]

I really struggle with the timing in that A section. :evil:
Playing along with the metronome is no problem ... but the counter melody throws me off every time !
Trying to concentrate on the bass line helps .. ugh ..

 

[Michael_A]

I really struggle with the timing in that A section. :evil:
Playing along with the metronome is no problem ... but the counter melody throws me off every time !
Trying to concentrate on the bass line helps .. ugh ..

Hi Brendan, can I provide you a tip ? If no prob with metronome... reduce the speed (reduce!) of the track and make it happen. Then you'll have no prob at all.
Excuse if it is not helpful tip...

 

[J-Moen]

Interesting choice Jared - I like it - it's possibly the most "covered" instrumental jazz composition in existence. I found 14 versions in my personal vinyl collection alone.
I've always played it on alto flute, but due to arthritis in both hands I can no longer play flute so I look forward to giving it a shot on tenor sax. Also, I just upgraded to the 2020 Band-in-a-Box with 'real tracks' so I will try to produce a decent backing track or two as well.

That would be greatly helpful! The Aebersold backing seems dragged through the mud a bit. That youtube one is good, but I didn't check if it was in the same key as the sheet music.

 

[J-Moen]

I really struggle with the timing in that A section. :evil:
Playing along with the metronome is no problem ... but the counter melody throws me off every time !
Trying to concentrate on the bass line helps .. ugh ..

I'm going to be struggling my way through this track as well! I actually have trouble with the first swing section and keeping time in there... mostly because it isn't exactly what Yardbird played lmao.

 

[Michael_A]

That would be greatly helpful! The Aebersold backing seems dragged through the mud a bit. That youtube one is good, but I didn't check if it was in the same key as the sheet music.

I used in the past Abersolds and loved it. Love Eagleheart Jazz Channel. He does nice tracks. Sure it is more modern stuff, but Abersolds was done long time ago (may be sounds not so shiny) and for me players doing great standard.
BTW, Eagleheart's track is in the same (original) key.

I will try to do both versions. And if our fella from San Diego will do something cool will try it with pleasure too . We are just at June 1st.

 

[Bubba06]

Nice tune, I haven't played it in a few years, so I'll need some time to get my version together.

I'll suggest a Hal Leonard track here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1thaKm7UoqLomCXE9PmkRC8NXkctL17D4?usp=sharing . It includes a version with trumpet, and version without.

I really struggle with the timing in that A section. :evil:
Playing along with the metronome is no problem ... but the counter melody throws me off every time !
Trying to concentrate on the bass line helps .. ugh ..

I might also suggest learning those backing lines, and spending time just playing those. Also, vary the metronome tempo A LOT, move it around like 40 BPM to test yourself. I really like taking something all the way down to 60 BPM and really feeling like I'm locking in right on the beat. If you can't sing the melody in time, you probably can't play it either.

-Bubba-

 

[J-Moen]

Thanks Bubba! Always great to have some more backings, especially one with a trumpet line in it!

 

[Brendan]

reduce the speed (reduce!) of the track and make it happen. Then you'll have no prob at all.

I might also suggest learning those backing lines, and spending time just playing those. Also, vary the metronome tempo A LOT, move it around like 40 BPM to test yourself. I really like taking something all the way down to 60 BPM and really feeling like I'm locking in right on the beat. If you can't sing the melody in time, you probably can't play it either.

Thanks ... I know I need to slow it down - it's tough when you have no patience !! :mrgreen:
Though the tempo doesn't seem to matter much ... it's that damn piano part !! :Rant:

 

[J-Moen]

Thanks ... I know I need to slow it down - it's tough when you have no patience !! :mrgreen:
Though the tempo doesn't seem to matter much ... it's that damn piano part !! :Rant:

Record it with a click track, then sync it to the backing? Its cheating, but it'd work eh?

 

[Brendan]

OK - not the easiest thing to listen to ...

You'll wish for amnesia

:bluewink:

 

[Michael_A]

OK - not the easiest thing to listen to ...

You'll wish for amnesia

:bluewink:

Brendan, if you not going tomorrow for a cruise until the end of the month, I suggest you to work on some technical glitches.
There are no ear difficulties at all, clearly hear interesting rhythmic stuff, sound is saxy. If you wish to work on this thing (I guess it's good to keep Tunisia in repertoire) more, sure you can make it tastier.

And yes, amnesia not prescribed .
Bests.
Michael.

 

[Brendan]

If you wish to work on this thing more, sure you can make it tastier.

Nope ... get in and out early I say ! Why prolong the suffering ... :mrgreen:

But thanks for the comment.

 

[J-Moen]

OK - not the easiest thing to listen to ...

You'll wish for amnesia

:bluewink:

No way I was wishing to forget this take! You did great, and thanks for breaking the ice! It sounds like the intro came out nicely. Loved your solo, especially your big sound on those low notes, always been a huge fan of your sound! Pobeda had some great advice, and I would always be happy to hear another take from you!

 

[guidocreo]

four years ago, I had restarted playing the saxophone again for about a year, after more than 35 years:

https://soundcloud.com/guido-creo%2Fa-night-in-tunisia-20160703
I presume: T Rampone & Cazzani R1Jazz AUG - JJ DV Chi 7 * - Hartmann Fiberreed Hemp H

Ciao.

 

[Brendan]

Hmm .. posting a recording from 2016 - now that's a Peebee move !! :bluewink: :mrgreen:

Nicely done Guido, I really enjoyed the solo ! :cheers: