Holger Marjamaa
Piano Solo on
Summer Night

About

Holger Marjamaa follows trumpeter Benny Benack III with two choruses of piano on this waltz arrangement of "Summer Night" from his album Mostly Standards. At approximately 197 BPM in three-quarter time, his improvisation combines rhythmic fluidity with harmonic depth as he navigates the 48-bar form in C minor. The waltz feel provides an opportunity to explore the rhythmic possibilities of three-quarter time, and Marjamaa uses the metric framework to shape phrases that feel both natural and inventive. His solo closes out the improvised section of this Harry Warren composition, bringing a contemporary jazz sensibility to a melody originally written for Hollywood.

Holger Marjamaa was 26 to 27 years old at the time.