“Song for My Father” is a composition by Horace Silver. The original version, on the album of the same title by Silver’s quintet, was recorded on October 26, 1964. It has become a jazz standard and is probably Silver’s best-known composition. According to Silver, the song was “in part inspired by our Brazilian trip. We got the Brazilian rhythm for this tune from that trip, and the melodic line was inspired by some very old Cape Verdean Portuguese folk music.
“Song for My Father” has a 24-bar AAB form. It was composed in 2/4 and in F minor. It has a bossa nova feel and features a bass ostinato and the A section is based on the Andalusian cadence.
The original version featured Silver on piano, with Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone), Carmell Jones (trumpet), Teddy Smith (bass), and Roger Humphries (drums).
English:
Français:
Listen to the playlist and let me know in the comments which is your favorite version!
Video lessons:
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16 comments on “Song For My Father”
Rubato and with the tonic pedal:
share=copy
Hello Everyone,
I missed the workshop but I’ve listened to it three (3) times since. It is challenging and very rewarding with the approaches presented. I’m having a blast trying to get the ideas in a musical manner.
Nayland (alto sax)
That’s fantastic to hear Nayland! Listening multiple times and working through the ideas musically is exactly the right approach. Keep at it, and feel free to share any questions or insights you come across. Glad you’re enjoying the challenge!
how do i find the replay of the masterclass for song for my father?
Hi Kris! You find it in the tab “JVL Pro”
Hi everyone ! Sorry, I wasn’t available for the live session… But I did a version of this standard earlier, some days before.
The challenge for me is to play without reading, I’m not used with this exercice, so still I made some mistakes during the theme…
For the improv, I tried to play, pentatonics, blues scales and dorian mode on the Dm7 with my Alto (not sure it was a good choice because my High B sounds… Bizarre in my phrase…)
Anyway… I share my Try here! Let me know what you think about that !
Regards, Sylvain (France)
https://youtu.be/EBjVodVpPp0?si=pwcZpo6ZgJF62SUM
Great! feedback in your JVL mailbox 💪
Victor Wooten interpretation!
https://youtu.be/bS7vUBixOcc?si=URvQzwpD_LMUMl25
A killer solo by Tom Harrell on the 1976 Horace Silver version!! My favorite version for sure.
Whouaa !! I Just Discover Conrad Herwig version ! That’s Latin Fire !! My favorite in the list of purpose.
Special mention for Benson’s : always Chill and groove as usual. One of my favorite artist.
Amazing the version with Michel Camilo!
I know!!! 🔥🤯 maybe some transcribing to include in your practice routine this month?!? 💪
I like all versions but the one I prefer is the first for the fantastic chorus of Joe Henderson but also the live version (there are many https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOr7D3g8RkI
or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFjmWI-d6d4 ). I also like Dee Dee’s and Benson’s. This song is often played in jam, is often very bad, pretext for excitation, play too loud and chorus (much) too long, as a double bass player it tires me but I like this song if it is played with taste
That Joe Henderson solo is the best! I remember when I heard that recording when I was about 16 I played that solo over and over again a thousand times! Thanks for the links, I’ll check them out!
My prefered version is the Conrad Herwig’s version especially for the fantastic Michel Camilo. I like the latin feel too.
The “historic” version is my second choice: in the sixties, I discovered Joe Henderson with this record.
I like Dee Dee Bridgwater’s version too, with the Belmondo Brothers. The drummer André Ceccarelli is one of mal favorites.
Conrad’s version is also one of my favorites! He is one of the best trombonists and I am really luck to play with him in the Mingus Big Band 🙏. The Michel Camilo’s solo is burning, very much in the style of McCoy Tyner 🔥