This performance combines one of the most beautiful songs ever written, played by the legendary Roy Hargrove, with a heavenly arrangement by the composer, Benny Golson. It also shows off some of the finest ensemble playing you'll hear these days. You really don't have to be a jazz fan to appreciate the exquisite chord structure and progressions, and let's not even talk about the beautiful melody. Of course it was written for one of my favorite musicians, the late, great Clifford Brown, who died way too soon. Hope you'll take the time to listen, it's worth it. It may be that only Russ and Boo know the tune but that's okay. I lost 4 lifelong friends in the course of the last 2 weeks and that's probably what prompted me to post it. Thanks.

chas

Thank you,
charles

Beautiful indeed! I was a decent cornet/trumpet player in my younger days, but I never played a flugel horn. I understand they are a B instrument rather than Bb like trumpets. Beautiful tone.

No surprise to me Don, that you'd have a diverse musical background. Also, you'll never convince me that at some point you weren't a decent guitar player as well . Also, regarding some other recent posts regarding 'new gear', you'll notice that his flugel horn didn't look exactly 'factory fresh' . Seems to be the case with a lot of concert-level performers and their instruments. Is that why those old guitars are worth so much?

chas

Love these guys, like Freddie Hubbard and the other jazz giants that bring out every emotion in their playing.

Wish I had a couple of my guitars back...59 Strat, 40's Gibson L7 come to mind.
You're right Chas, I was decent, but only played it a few years. If I stuck with it I'd be pretty good I imagine. I have four guitars and seldom pick one up.

Chas,

Great post! Sorry to hear about the loss of your friends.

Always loved this tune, I discovered it by accident about 30 years ago when I picked up a piano solo book of Benny Golson tunes. I was actually looking for a sheet to “Five Spot After Dark,”. “ I Remember Clifford” was also published in the same book. I started playing it and I immediately liked the tune and found it within my ability to play. I had forgotten about the tune but took out the book after reading your post and realized with a couple of hours practice I should get the tune back under my fingers.

One added note at my wedding 24 years ago when the band took a break I played a couple of piano solos on my friend’s Kurzweil piano for our guests. One of the tunes was “I Remember Clifford, “. I lied a bit and said the name of the tune was “I Remember Michael” and played it in honor of my late father who had passed quite a few years before the wedding. My father was a very mellow guy and this tune seemed to fit. By the way no one came to me and said “you fraud” we know the real name of the song is “ I Remember Clifford.”

Thanks again for the memory.

Hmmmm, not sure where you got that info, but every flugelhorn chart I ever saw was written for a Bb instrument. I understand there is a C conversion, but a standard horn is pitched in Bb.

Well that makes a lot more sense! As I said, I never played one and not sure where I heard that. Thanks!

It's one of my favorite tones .... If I ewer decide to tackle brass, I'm gettin one!

Steve, glad to know this beautiful tune has some special meaning for you. It's kind of sad but also uplifting at the same time. I'm also not surprised that you'd be one of the ones that recognized it, given your jazz leanings. I think it's one of those tunes that even if the audience didn't know it, they'd like it and say, "wow, what was that? It's really pretty". .

chas

A very nice piece of music I enjoyed listening..

Thanx for sharing.

Thanks Donny, glad you enjoyed it.

chas

Beautiful, Charles. Thanks for sharing.

----Dave Rice

Flugal horn is my favorite brass instrument. Played this tune many times and have worn out several Clifford Brown records, tapes, etc.

Had two friends who usually played trumpet but bought these during the Freddie Hubbard era.

LOVE IT!

Thanks, Chas!

Russ

... and for the vocalists out there: https://youtu.be/bgsHjtpvel8

Although I prefer the instrumental version, this is still wonderful. You can always count on a little magic when great musicians meet great music. Thanks, Dave.

chas

chas ... I'm one of the people who would say "I've heard that song, but don't know what it is." This is a beautiful rendition ...
The flugelhorn is a beautiful instrument and Hargrove plays it so well ...

One of the great vocal groups of all time ...

Absolutely!

Hi Chas,
Thank you for sharing. What a wonderful piece of music. What a beautiful sound from that flugelhorn .

Why mess with perfection. I would imagine they get attached to their instruments, sort of like an old friend.

Difference is , a keyboard is technology , it moves on. A good quality acoustic instrument, mellows with age, ( just like us, haha).

Rikki, WOMEN mellow (and get more beautiful) with age; MEN, on the other hand, just get crusty and grumpy . You're right about the acoustic instruments, though. Nothing wrong with technology, we just need to make sure IT doesn't become the Master. We need to always let it know who's boss . Whack away at that arranger but sit down at that acoustic piano (or organ, or accordion) once in awhile, and let it remind you of why you got into music in the first place.

chas

You said a mouthful good thought to keep in mind.

Thanks for posting this beautiful tune, Chas. It’s been along time since I heard it and I’m thinking maybe I played it many years in high school or college jazz band.
Anyways after listening to this I was inspired to get out my real book and play through it. There a lot of great little harmonic and melodic gems to be found for sure. Very nice ii V I phrases with some blue notes thrown. I had fun playing through those in several keys. I think I’ll steal those- playing melodic phrases in all keys is a fun exercise that should keep me busy for awhile! Thanks for some much needed inspiration. So sorry about your friends. Listening to beautiful song such as this can help you deal with the grief.

Thanks Paul. Some songs, the great ones, appear to be so organic, so natural, it's like someone fed it one beautiful, exotic chord and then it just took over and wrote itself. It also shows how good music will absolutely stand the test of time (no matter what the genre').

I've gotten used to people that I knew as a child dying, but to have FOUR die in such a short time span was kind of unsettling. One was the sister of my best friend in high school and was my high school prom date. She was drop-dead gorgeous and a beautiful soul as well. Unfortunately, we went off to different colleges and that was the end of that.

I like your idea of practicing/playing pretty melodies or phrases in different keys; if you're like me (and because of fingering), you'll probably play it slightly different in different keys. Also, some songs just sound better in certain keys (and not always the key it was written in). Anyhow, I'm glad to see so many people here that still enjoy great songs.

Another observation; most good tunes like this are not that complicated or hard to play. Probably a message there for aspiring songwriters.

chas

Agreed, Chas - as much as I love MT - the instrumental is better!

I hear you, chas ... I check the obits every day - to make sure my name isn't there - and just kind of sit in wonderment about the ages of people that have passed ... the loss of one of our bandmates several years ago hit me very hard ... right now one of the other members is going through a very difficult time, but his composure and ability to deal with it is an inspiration ... as all of our closest friends are in the same age group, and some more than others are having health issues, we are really starting to feel the mortality of life ...
However in the meanwhile, we continue to live, enjoy, and try to leave some meaningful legacy ...

And who knows, maybe there IS something better after all of this ...

Maybe....but I tend to relate to this one.



Amen!

chas