Jazz Transcriptions by John McGann

Eric Dolphy's bass clarinet solo on "Naima" November 1, 1961.

from John Coltrane "The Village Vanguard Sessions" transcribed up a half step (from concert Eb) for guitar. Bass clarinetists can read up another half step to match the recording. One of my favorite Dolphy solos for pure expressiveness.

Django Reinhardt- "Anniversary Song" 1947 guitar solo

A wonderful variety of rhythmic ideas, never a run-on sentence- typically brilliant Django!

Fats Navarro-"Webb City" (Bb) trumpet solo

Bebop pioneer Fats meant to play this on mandolin, but it sounds just fine on trumpet.

Louis Armstrong "Basin St. Blues" 1928 and 1933 (Bb) cornet solos

Two classic solos that were originally published in The Village Voice. Louis wrote the book.

Pepper Adams "Lover Man" baritone sax solo 

(concert pitch, with guitar fingerings/ notations added) from Lee Morgan's "The Cooker", the first jazz album I ever heard. Still amazing, with Paul Chambers/Philly Joe/Bobby Timmons. Check out Pepper's subtle use of time- that behind the beat phrasing that defies notation. Pure beauty.

Cannonball Adderley "Sid's Ahead" alto sax solo

(Concert pitch) from Miles Davis "Milestones". This is an dark set of altered blues changes, played at the perfect tempo-incredible vibe, and Cannonball's solo is a treasure trove of great ideas.

More to come!!!