Blue Mitchell
Trumpet Solo on
Strollin'

About

Blue Mitchell leads off the solos with a single chorus on trumpet, the first of three improvisations on the recording. Taken at a medium swing tempo of 135 BPM over the 32-bar ABAB' in D♭, the improvisation unfolds with comfortable, easygoing swing. Mitchell opens with his characteristically lyrical approach, his warm tone and melodic invention making him one of the most appealing trumpet voices in hard bop. Recorded for the album Horace-Scope in 1960, the performance captures Blue Mitchell at 29 to 30 years old. This Silver original features a 32-bar ABAB' form in D-flat at a comfortable medium tempo, with solos from trumpeter Blue Mitchell, tenor saxophonist Junior Cook, and Silver himself, each delivering a single chorus.

Blue Mitchell was 29 to 30 years old at the time.