#2 Rose Room - Cannonball Adderley

Discover.

So this week, I've been listening to some early 'Cannonball' Adderley, specifically the album 'Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley.'  The tune which I have decided to transcribe is a piece called 'Rose room.' Unfortunately the link isn't to Cannonball playing, as it's not on YouTube, though the link is for Nat 'King' Cole, he's not too shabby! :) You can if desired, buy 12 classic Cannonball albums for £3.49 which includes the song 'Rose room,' among many others - It's thoroughly worth investing in!

On the album, released in 1955, was a line up of some fantastic musicians of the era, including: 

• Nat Adderley, (Cornet)
• Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley, (Alto saxophone)
• Jerome Richardson, (Tenor saxophone & flute)
• Jimmy Cleveland (tracks 1 -3) or J.J. Johnson, (tracks 4- 7) (Trombone)
• Cecil Payne, (Baritone saxophone)
• Jerome Richardson. (Piano)
• Paul Chambers, (Upright bass)
• Kenny Clarke (track 1,3,4-7 & 10) or Max Roach (track 2, 8 & 9), (Drums)

All of the music on the album, was arranged by Quincy Jones, who is still going strong today!

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Interesting fact... you know you want it..

'Rose room,' was originally composed by Art Hickman with lyrics by Harry Williams in 1917. The chord sequence was then used again by Duke Ellington which he then composed a different tune for. The new song is known as 'In a mellow tone.' In the 'music world,' this is known as writing a 'contrafact,' this is where a musician composes another melody over a pre-exsiting chord sequence. Once you start looking for 'contrafacts,' you'll start noticing a lot of jazz tunes share chord sequences...

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Learn.

Song: 'Rose room.'
Artist: Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley.
Album: 'Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley' (link to 12 classic albums) Original album released in 1955.

I have included a lead sheet for 'rose room,' Unfortunately, it's not the full orchestrated Quincy Jones version, maybe later in the year I'll find time for that. Meanwhile, here are some lead sheets. There are copies for concert pitch, including bass clef, Bb and Eb instruments.

'Rose room.' - Concert part.
File Size:	85 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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'Rose room.' - Concert part (Bass Clef).
File Size:	86 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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'Rose room.' - Bb part.
File Size:	87 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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'Rose room.' - Eb part.
File Size:	88 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Play!

Hopefully you'll enjoy playing along with the recording (if you buy it). If not, feel free to use the Mp3 backing below to practice the head, and soloing.

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Remember...

The whole point of using the transcriptions & play-alongs, is to help your phrasing. One of the most important things which people wish to achieve in jazz is good phrasing. This, unfortunately, is hard to teach, It's picked up by repeated listening and playing along with whichever recording you're learning, Whilst playing, aim to get perfectly in sync with the artist, copying articulation, dynamics & feel.

If you want to be able to slow the piece down, as well as loop the piece It'd be worth you buying this program: Transcribe. It allows you to slow a recording down gradually without changing the pitch, however you can also change the pitch too if desired!

Use the transcription to help you develop your phrasing/grab lines for inspiration or even just use the chart to play on a gig! (This has been tested in gig situation and works as well as 'You look good to me.' found in post 1 of my blog.) Hopefully you'll get the same enjoyment from learning it as I have,

P.s. If this is helpful/useful or you have any questions/suggestions/ requests please comment below or even get in touch via my email. Again, good luck & until next time!

Thanks again - Ben