Eric Alexander
Tenor Sax Solo on
Afro Blue

About

Taking the 2nd solo, this tenor sax improvisation spans five and a half choruses of the 16-bar form at a brisk Latin feel at 278 BPM. Tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander follows with an expansive five and a half choruses, the longest solo on the entire album, building a sweeping improvisation that takes full advantage of the tune's modal foundation. Alexander's tenor saxophone rides the Latin groove with energized phrasing, building intensity across the solo's arc. Situated between Gregory Porter's voice solo and Harold Mabern's turn on piano, it occupies a pivotal spot in the arrangement.

Eric Alexander was 45 to 46 years old at the time.