McCoy Tyner
Piano Solo on
Spiritual

About

McCoy Tyner's piano solo on "Spiritual" is the third of four solos on this Village Vanguard recording, following John Coltrane's tenor and Eric Dolphy's bass clarinet. At approximately 117 BPM in a waltz feel, Tyner explores resonant chord voicings and modal melodic lines that draw on the spiritual's hymn-like harmonic foundation. At just 22 to 23 years old, his playing already shows the percussive attack and quartal harmonies that would become his signature. The extended solo builds in intensity over several minutes, with Elvin Jones's brushwork and mallets shaping the dynamic contour. Tyner is followed by Coltrane's closing statement on soprano saxophone.

McCoy Tyner was 22 to 23 years old at the time.