A 2019 performance of Cedar Walton's Martha's Prize by the Brandon Fansher Sextet, featuring Masami Kuroki on electric guitar, Jun Iida on trumpet, Will Kjeer on piano, and Fansher on acoustic bass. The tune is performed at a medium-up swing tempo around 198-209 BPM in E-flat with a 32-bar AABA form. Kuroki leads off with a two-chorus guitar solo, followed by Iida's three-chorus trumpet statement, Kjeer's two-chorus piano solo, and Fansher's two-chorus bass solo. Walton composed this piece as part of his extensive catalog of hard bop compositions that have become staples of the jazz repertoire. The wide solo distribution across four of the six members gives each player substantial space to develop ideas. The sextet format provides a rich harmonic and timbral palette, with the combination of guitar, trumpet, and piano creating varied accompaniment textures behind each soloist. Iida's three-chorus trumpet solo, the longest of the set, anchors the performance's improvisational centerpiece. The ensemble's comfort with Walton's sophisticated chord changes reflects their engagement with the hard bop tradition.
