Red Garland
Piano Solo on
It Never Entered My Mind

About

Red Garland's piano solo is the sole improvisation on this recording of "It Never Entered My Mind". Spanning three-quarters of a chorus of the 34-bar AABA' form in A♭ at a slow 57 BPM with a ballad feel, Garland's three-quarter-chorus solo at 57 BPM in A-flat over the 34-bar AABA' form demonstrates his signature block-chord technique, a style inspired by pianist Ahmad Jamal and trumpet player Milt Jackson. Garland's ballad interpretation draws on the full harmonic palette of the piano, balancing lyrical single-note lines with rich chordal textures.

Red Garland was 32 to 33 years old at the time.