Walter Smith III
Tenor Sax Solo on
Nobody Else But Me

About

Opening the solo section, this tenor sax improvisation spans three choruses of the 36-bar ABAC form at an uptempo swing feel at 209 BPM. His playing combines a warm, slightly dark tone with sophisticated harmonic thinking and a rhythmic flexibility that allows him to float freely over the time. This is the longest solo on the recording in terms of chorus count, suggesting a featured role in the arrangement. The 36-bar form provides a defined harmonic landscape for the improvisation. Following this solo, Eric Harland takes over on drums.

Walter Smith III was 37 to 38 years old at the time.