"Pure Imagination" from Alexis Cole's 2021 album Sky Blossom: Songs From My Tour of Duty features a one-chorus soprano saxophone solo by Bob Sheppard over the 35-bar AABA' form in B-flat. Originally composed by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the song has become an increasingly popular vehicle for jazz interpretation, its whimsical melody and sophisticated harmonic motion lending themselves well to improvisation. Sheppard, a veteran Los Angeles-based woodwind player whose credits span jazz, pop, and studio work, brings a warm, lyrical approach to his soprano saxophone solo at a moderate straight-eighth feel of 109 beats per minute. His improvisation unfolds with patience and melodic clarity, complementing Cole's vocal treatment of the melody rather than competing with it. The choice of soprano saxophone adds a bright, singing quality that meshes naturally with the song's dreamlike atmosphere. Cole's album draws on her experiences performing for military audiences through the Armed Forces Entertainment program, and tracks like this one reflect her gift for selecting material that resonates broadly while maintaining artistic integrity. The arrangement balances accessibility with jazz sophistication, making the familiar melody feel both comforting and freshly illuminated.
