Jazz Compositions» "The Jody Grind"

Jazz Compositions: "The Jody Grind"

"The Jody Grind" is a jazz composition by pianist/composer Horace Silver. It's the opening track of the album:
"Horace Silver Quintet/Sextet - The Jody Grind (recorded 1966)"
.
It first recorded & appeared on this album also; as we learn from critic Leonard Feather's sentence in the liner notes:
"On the title number he (Horace Silver) composed for this set, ..."

A 30 second quote from the original track:

Horace Silver describes his composition as: (~liner notes)
"That's an expression that goes back to World War II. The GI's (*) would use it to describe a guy who was making out with his old lady while he was away in the service. 'You had a good girl when you left,' they'd sing, "but Jody's got her now.' Basically the theme is a minor blues, with some slightly different changes."

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(*) "GI term in World War II": GI was a term used for American servicemen and stemmed from the kit

 issued to them being stamped with the initials G and I for "Government Issue". ~wiki.answers.com

Dee Dee Bridgewater performance of "The Jody Grind"
Leonard Feather says: (~liner notes)
"'The Jody Grind' opens with Horace establishing the mood via a 12-bar vamp. The group states the theme in unison. It's a stealthy, tongue-in-cheek sort of line, one that seems likely to stay in the mind indefinitely. Horace loses no time introducing his new soloist, for Tyrone takes over immediately after the thematic statement. His attack and phrasing are somewhat reminiscent of Sonny Rollins (he names Rollins and Coltrane as major influences).

Horace's solo on this track has an eerie, sometimes misterioso quality. Without any flashy technical display (simplicity at the right time has always been one of Horace's primary virtues) it sustains the mood, with substantial help from Ridley and Humphries. Notice how much the surprise element - that unexpected trumpet high C and rhythm suspension at the 11th bar - adds to the value of this melodically attractive piece."

Horace Silver, born: 1928,

Pianist/Composer

Original track credits:
Track: "The Jody Grind"
Album: "Horace Silver Quintet/Sextet - The Jody Grind"
Composed by Horace Silver, Ecaroh Music Inc., ASCAP
Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, November 2, 1966
Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder
Produced by Alfred Lion
Duration: 5:45

Performers:
Horace Silver - piano
Woody Shaw - trumpet
Tyrone Washington - tenor saxophone
Larry Ridley - bass
Roger Humphries - drums

"The Jody Grind" performance from "Bob James Trio"

Horace Silver's official website: ~www.horacesilver.com