Rick Otto
Acoustic Bass Solo on
Strappado

About

Closing out the solo section, this acoustic bass improvisation spans one chorus of the 32-bar AABA form at a medium-up 195 BPM. Otto and Jedynak contribute bass and drum solos respectively on several tunes. Otto's acoustic bass solo showcases the instrument's melodic potential, moving beyond the walking-bass role into lyrical improvisation. The bridge section of the AABA form introduces a contrasting harmonic area that tests the soloist's ability to navigate the shift and return smoothly to the A section material. Coming after Paul Kreibich's keyboard solo, this is the final improvisation before the ensemble returns to the head.

Rick Otto was 27 to 28 years old at the time.