‎Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Acoustic Bass Solo on
Star Eyes

About

Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen's one-chorus acoustic bass solo is the third and final solo on this medium-tempo reading of the de Paul standard. Following choruses by Doug Raney and Chet Baker, Pedersen takes the 36-bar AABA form at 138 BPM in E-flat, elevating the bass to a fully equal solo voice with a commanding chorus that balances prodigious technique with musical expression. His solo brings the trio's sequential improvisation to a close, demonstrating why Pedersen was regarded as one of the most complete bass soloists in jazz.

‎Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen was 32 to 33 years old at the time.