The opening track to the jazz-funk fusion band's 1977 album Heavy Weather is not only a tribute to the legendary New York jazz club inspired by Charlie Parker, but a wonderfully evocative instrumental conjuring up sights and sounds of the city streets. Composer and keyboard player Joe Zawinul wrote it after the place where he met his wife, as well as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Miles Davis, and saw Count Basie play. No wonder it's so uplifting, and for a jazz piece is remarkably uncluttered, slipping between high and low solos, featuring a variety of sythesisers, Wayne Shorter on tenor and alto saxophones, Jaco Pastorius on fretless bass and mandocello, Alex Acuña on drums and Manolo Badrena on tambourine. A joyful start any day or playlist.
Want to suggest songs for Song of the Day or to say anything about it? Does this song make you think of something else? Then feel free to comment below, on the contact page, or on social media: Song Bar Twitter, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube. Please subscribe, follow and share.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...