The second ballad of the evening features Johnny Green's classic, taken at 65 BPM with three compact solos. Lovano delivers one chorus on tenor saxophone over the 32-bar AABA form, Cohen follows with one chorus on piano, and Hall adds half a chorus on acoustic bass. The restrained solo lengths keep the eight-minute performance focused on the melody and ensemble interplay rather than extended improvisation. Green composed the piece in 1929, and it became one of the most important vehicles in jazz history through Coleman Hawkins's landmark 1939 recording. The tune appeared earlier in this same concert series — the Chad LB Quartet performed it during their Live Stream Residency — and hearing Lovano's interpretation alongside that version illustrates how different artists approach the same standard. Positioned near the end of the program, this ballad provides a moment of reflection before the final two uptempo numbers close the concert.
