Quiet Now

This is a response to JazzVideoGuy's post of Denny Zeitlin playing his brilliant composition "Quiet Now" at a Berlin Concert in 1983. The link is : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMf-Ztg0GYM

I have heard and admired this tune many times but I never played it until I watched Zeitlin's performance on YouTube. Bill Evans played this piece often and beautifully. The tune has a classic, contemplative feel. Zeitlin and Evans play the piece with luscious dense chords and color tones. This piece lends itself to that and I believe this is the approach with the most possibilities. However, I actually used that as an element to react to. In the head, I was slightly less dense, but fairly close to the Zeitlin/Evans intent. During the improvisation, I tried to open up the chords and put more space around the melodic lines. It is slightly more modal and the chords are less fully stated. It doesn't swing in the traditional sense, but it is a great improvisational piece due to its structure and chord progressions. I can see why Bill Evans played it so often.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• jazz
• piano
• solo
• Denny
• Zeitlin
• 7notemode
• Raleigh
• Durham
• North
• Carolina

[dennyzeitlinjazz]

I'm flattered that you were drawn to make a video of my composition. I liked what you did with it. Your harmonic interpretation is clean and direct, and the improvisation has your own spirit. You might like to check out the extended exploration of this piece on my 2005 solo CD "Solo Voyage" (MaxJazz). Best of luck with your music. Denny Zeitlin

[7notemode]

Thank you so much for your kind words. It is an honor to receive a comment from someone who's work I have followed and admired for so long. I have used your body of work as a source of inspiration, so your feedback is deeply meaningful to me. Thanks again.

[Lot2learn]

I don't know why, but for some reason I chuckled when you played that run of fourths at 2:54! I think because your whole improvisation has a bit of playfulness and unpredictability throughout. Very tastefully played, and a very enjoyable listening experience. With that recorder placement your bass strings come through nice and strong - sounds great.

[7notemode]

One of the reasons I posted this is because it is so casual, it almost comes off as musical doodling. This is the way I often play for myself when nobody else is listening. It may be a positive or negative, but is representative, so I posted it.

[tjjazzpiano]

Sounds great, I think you achieved what you set out to do with the dense/openess and such. May I request "I Loves You Porgy?"

[7notemode]

I'll give it a shot.  Thanks.

[Skyblueginger]

Amazing. Love this tune. Some great runs and fills if thats what you coulod call them. Thanks for sharing 7.

[holomorph271]

Great rendition of an amazing composition, thanks!

[Lillasua]

is a pleasure to hear you!

[hiautevitesse]

wonderful playing...could you desribe how you record..the sound is so good and I would like to duplicate it...

[PintoMusic]

Awesome performance/interpretation... and I can't believe Dr. Zeitlin actually posted a comment about it... what an honour! 8-)

[j28m01a80]

Excellent Job,

I have a request for a Bill Evans tune: The Peacocks.

I can't find a video of Bill Evans playing it.

There are no transcriptions of it and you're the only guy that plays with such dynamic that it would be awesome to see you play that song.

Anyway awesome job on Quiet Now.

[tjjazzpiano]

In Jack Reily's book "The Harmony of Bill Evans,' he describes the intellectual process Bill took to every tune. I can't help but think you somehow channelled him here. Very very nice.

[Jonboyutube]

Sounds almost casual compared to some of your other posts but no less enjoyable as it just seems to hang together so well. Thanks.

[SpinDoctor101]

Wow, you have a great sound and feel for your music. If I could play like this, I'd be happy for the rest of my life...

[6shamus5]

beautiful and effortless to listen to!