John Lewis
Piano Solo on
Barbados

About

John Lewis closes out the solos on piano with one chorus, following Miles Davis at approximately 167 BPM. Set within a swinging rhythmic framework, the 12-bar Blues form and the key of F, the solo navigates the chord changes with purpose. Coming last in the solo order, Lewis has the task of building on everything that came before while steering the performance back toward the closing head. The rhythm section of Lewis, Curly Russell on bass, and Max Roach on drums provides a buoyant, swinging foundation that supports the tune's playful character.

John Lewis was 27 to 28 years old at the time.