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Publication Date

4-25-2011

Year of Release

2011

Note(s)

assisted by: Austin Seybert, trombone

Bud Carroll, guitar

Steve Barker, drums

All songs are performed for credit towards graduation with a Bass Performance Jazz Studies degree.

This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in jazz studies. Mr. Lykens is a student in the jazz studio of Assistant Professor Sean Parsons.

Program notes:

My Funny Valentine - Rodgers/Lorenz Hart

My Funny Valentine is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable standards written by the songwriting team of Rodgers and Hart. It was written for the 1937 Rodgers and Hart musical, Babes in Arms, and has since served as a signature piece for numerous performers, including Chet Baker and Frank Sinatra.

Anthropology - Charlie Parker/Dizzy Gillespie

Written and recorded in 1945, Anthropology has since become one of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie's most memorable recordings. The tune is a contrafact over the George Gershwin standard, I've Got Rhythm and is full of the sort of arpeggiated patterns and triplet-based movements that made defined much of the style of both musicians, especially Parker.

So What - Miles Davis

So What was recorded on the seminal Columbia Records Miles Davis recording from 1959, Kind of Blue. Driven by the Paul Chambers bass line, the color and modal styling of the tune had much to do with the inclusion of pianist Bill Evans. Evans' voicings and stylistic contributions made quite an impression on Davis and can be heard throughout the album.

The Times They Are A-Changin'- Bob Dylan

Recorded on the 1964 Columbia Records recording of the same name, The Times They Are A-Changin' is considered to be one of singer-songwriter Bob Dylan's most popular songs and is certainly one of the most re-recorded. It has achieved a rare status among musical works in that it has been used to help define an entire generation. The feel of the tune is open and memorable and its structure is simple, which leaves room for manipulation.

Footprints - Wayne Shorter

Footprints was included on the 1966 album, Adam's Apple. Much like Miles Davis' So What, it is very much modal in nature and propelled by a simple, yet memorable, Paul Chambers bass line. The constant forward motion of the song is also aided in no small part by the easy-feeling waltz and the simplicity of its form and blues-like structure.

Recorda-Me - Joe Henderson

Recorda-Me was first recorded on saxophonist Joe Henderson's 1963 album, "Page One," which was his first recording with Blue Note Records. It is a Bossa-Nova with a syncopated melody and a chord progression underneath that moves primarily in 4ths.

A Child Is Born - Thad Jones

One of Thad Jones' most famous tunes, the simple melody and chord structure of the tune in a way are stylistically set apart slightly from a typical Thad Jones tune, which has even led to some controversy and speculation as to whether he even composed the tune. Whoever the author, the tune is timeless and has been proven as such due to its being recorded countless times. More recently, it has come to be known by most people as a popular Christmas tune.

All Blues - Miles Davis

Like So What, All Blues comes from Miles Davis' album, Kind of Blue. As indicated by the title, the tune is based on a blues form. Like much of the rest of the album, it has a sort of modal nature to it and a simple melody, which is something that would stick with Miles for the rest of his career and become a sort of instant indicator of style.

Note

Jomie Jazz Forum

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities | Fine Arts | Music | Music Performance

Marshall University Music Department Presents a Senior Jazz Recital, James Lykens, bass

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