Jaki Byard
Piano Solo on
Beatrice

About

Jaki Byard's piano solo is the second of three solos on "Beatrice" from Sam Rivers's 1964 Blue Note debut Fuchsia Swing Song, following Rivers's tenor saxophone. He takes two choruses of the 16-bar form at 119 BPM in F, bringing his characteristically inventive approach to Rivers's hauntingly beautiful melody. Byard's playing suits the composition's lyrical character, his touch and harmonic choices complementing the tune's elegant simplicity. He is followed by Ron Carter on acoustic bass.

Jaki Byard was 41 to 42 years old at the time.