Scott Arcangel
Piano Solo on
How I Wish

About

Scott Arcangel's piano solo is the sole improvisation on "How I Wish" from Alexis Cole's 2021 album Sky Blossom. The tune is based on Thelonious Monk's ballad "Ask Me Now," with lyrics added by Jon Hendricks for the vocal version. Arcangel takes one chorus over the 32-bar AABA form in B-flat at a relaxed 75 BPM, interpreting Monk's characteristically angular harmonies within the contrafact's framework. The ballad tempo suits the contemplative quality of Monk's original composition, and Arcangel's solo benefits from the harmonic richness that makes "Ask Me Now" one of Monk's most beloved pieces.

Scott Arcangel was 44 to 45 years old at the time.