Collective Anticipation

It's just about that time again. The SFJazz festival is on, and the latest CD of the SFJazz Collective has just been released, which chronicles their work over the Spring season, when they interpreted works by Herbie Hancock, and chipped in with their own original compositions.

Now I haven't received the disk mind you. I did pre-order it earlier this year, but they've only mailed out the copies this week, so you can understand my drooling jitteryness. In preparation (one must prepare, of course), I've been listening to their live 2005 CD, and for the last 4 days I simply haven't been able to keep my ears off it.

Most engaging are the original contributions by Joshua Redman ("Half Full"), Matt Penman ("Sega Games"), and Eric Harland ("Development"), but I was particularly impressed by Miguel Zenón's "2 and 2". The man is truly a master of his meter. Hats off to the rest of the band for being able to play along. After playing it about 30 times so far, I think I've figured out that the initial segment is something of a 21-beat cycle, but beyond that I'm left stymied*. In the interests of preserving my marriage, I'm going to desist and simply concede defeat.

In the meantime, while I wait for the imminent arrival of their next installment, I present to you, gentle reader, my interpretation of one of jazz's most revered standards:



*Update (2006-11-19): Joshua Redman's solo in the middle of the song is done to a 11-11-11-10 meter.