Howard Roberts
Electric Guitar Solo on
The Champ

About

Howard Roberts's three-chorus electric guitar solo is the fourth of five solos on this blazing-tempo blues. At 281 BPM over the 12-bar form in B-flat, Roberts navigates the extreme tempo with the precision that made him a sought-after player in the Los Angeles scene. The guitar's distinct timbral quality provides a textural contrast amid the horn and keyboard solos, and Roberts's ability to maintain clean articulation at this demanding speed reflects his exceptional technical command.

Howard Roberts was 25 to 26 years old at the time.