Stephen Riley
Tenor Sax Solo on
Oleo

About

Stephen Riley's tenor sax solo opens the improvised portion of this recording, followed by Joe Magnarelli on trumpet. Spanning two choruses of the 32-bar AABA form at an up-tempo 252 BPM with a swing feel in B♭, the solo runs approximately 1:02. The tune is a contrafact based on the chord changes of "I Got Rhythm." The recording captures the essence of what makes rhythm changes such an enduring vehicle for jazz improvisation, and Riley's interpretation connects his Lester Young-influenced aesthetic to the Rollins tradition in a way that feels both natural and revelatory. Stephen Riley was 42 to 43 years old at the time of this 2018 recording.

Stephen Riley was 42 to 43 years old at the time.