Lucky Thompson
Tenor Sax Solo on
Blue 'n' Boogie

About

Lucky Thompson's tenor sax solo is the third of five solos on this recording, following J. J. Johnson on trombone. Spanning nine choruses of the 12-bar Blues form in B♭ at a blazing 270 BPM with a swing feel, Thompson contributes nine choruses of tenor saxophone that build to a fever pitch of rhythmic and melodic invention. Thompson navigates the rapid harmonic rhythm with fluid technique, weaving intricate melodic lines that maintain coherence and swing at this challenging tempo. "Blue 'n' Boogie" is a high-octane bebop blues from Miles Davis's 1954 album Walkin', originally composed by Dizzy Gillespie and Frank Paparelli.

Lucky Thompson was 29 to 30 years old at the time.