- Donna Lee
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"Donna Lee" is a bebop jazz standard composed by Miles Davis.[1] It was written in A flat and is based on the chord changes of the traditional jazz standard "(Back Home Again in) Indiana".[1] One unusual feature of the tune is that it begins with a half-bar rest. It is a very complex, fast moving chart that utilizes a compositional style based around the usage of four note groups over each change.
Contents
Authorship
Miles Davis composed the tune in 1947, his first recorded composition, although authorship is often credited to saxophonist Charlie Parker.[2] Parker was credited on the original 78 rpm recordings, a mistake perpetuated through numerous reissues and causing early confusion.[2] The tune was also copyrighted under Parker's name. It was named after bassist Curly Russell's daughter, Donna Lee Russell, a title assigned by producer Teddy Reig.
Performances
"Donna Lee" was originally recorded by the Charlie Parker Quintet on May 8, 1947 for Savoy Records in New York City. The performers for the session were Charlie Parker (alto saxophone), Miles Davis (trumpet), Bud Powell (piano), Tommy Potter (bass), and Max Roach (drums). Also recorded in the same session were "Chasin' the Bird", "Cheryl", and "Buzzy".[3]
Jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius recorded his interpretation of the tune, a solo fretless electric bass rendition featuring Don Alias on congas, for his debut album Jaco Pastorius (1976). The tune is a particular favourite of avant-garde saxophonist Anthony Braxton, who has recorded it many times. It is also the last song ever recorded by trumpeter Clifford Brown, prior to his death in a car accident at age 25.
Origin of the name
As stated above, the piece is named after bassist Curly Russell's daughter, Donna Lee Russell.[4]
In Charles Mingus's quasi-autobiography, Beneath the Underdog, he enters a period in his life where he has two "wives", one named Donna and one named Lee-Marie. When Mingus introduces them to Miles Davis, and as he considers them as one wife exhibiting the best qualities of both people, he refers to them as "Donna-lee".
See also
- List of jazz contrafacts
Notes
- ^ a b Burlingame
- ^ a b Chambers (1998), p. 61
- ^ http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=470508
- ^ Ira Gitler's interview with Mark Myers
References
- Chambers, Jack (1998). Milestones: The Music and Times of Miles Davis. De Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-80849-8
- Burlingame, Sandra "Donna Lee" @ jazzstandards.com. Accessed 2007 September 20
Further reading
- Brian Priestley Chasin’ the Bird: The Life and Legacy of Charlie Parker
- Stephanie Stein Crease, Gil Evans: Out of the Cool
Categories:- Compositions by Miles Davis
- Jazz compositions
- 1940s jazz standards
- Bebop jazz standards
- Compositions by Charlie Parker
- Jazz standards
- 1947 compositions
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