SOTM SOTM - June 2024 - Cheesecake

[Digger2054]

This month's SOTM chosen by myself, is Dexter Gordon's Cheesecake from his Go! album.

Cheesecake is a favorite of my teachers and watching him going for it during one of his gigs had me hooked on Dexter and the Go! album.

A massive thanks to @nigeld for sorting the backing and dots out. He's kindly done a couple of backings at varying tempo's slower than Dexter's original, and shorter versions for those of us who are not comfortable improvising, so there should be something for everyone.

Backings and notes below are here:

Dexter's original and a few other players takes on this piece.

Dexter's Original -

View: https://youtu.be/a9HP9p3GXg8?si=eLyV3y2jtRp7Ujvw


David Sanborn -

View: https://youtu.be/fsEtDrWNaQQ?si=Y2_7cP9fBUe4bWyU


Chad LB -

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPgj3xU0L0Y


Dean Masser -

View: https://youtu.be/35wtTsvyTA0?si=9MX2wNzNolARCtEd&t=43

 

[mrblackbat]

Always great to hear Dean play! And Gaz Hughes on kit too

 

[mrblackbat]

Also the SotW forum is running a similar tune, and Cheesecake got mentioned, so shared this thread there; hopefully get a few posters as a result!

 

[rhysonsax]

Great stuff from Dean Masser - I'm ashamed to admit that he is a new name to me. Is he mainly based in the NW ?

Looking forward to hearing recordings that forum members do for this excellent tune. And I'm glad to discover that there are slower backing tracks provided - thanks @nigeld

Rhys

 

[Digger2054]

Great stuff from Dean Masser - I'm ashamed to admit that he is a new name to me. Is he mainly based in the NW ?

Looking forward to hearing recordings that forum members do for this excellent tune. And I', glad to discover that there are slower backing tracks provided - thanks @nigeld

Rhys

I'm lucky to live about 15mins from Dean and have my lessons with him (He does do online lessons too). He seems to stay under the radar, which is a shame.

Take a listen to this podcast with him and you'll see why he enjoys Dexter/Cheesecake so much, there's hope for us all

Be good see what others come up with

 

[dexdex]

Hi All. About 2 years ago, I was digging into the low range of the tenor sax, a long time challenge for me. I had recently moved from baritone to tenor 2 in a big band. The least rewarding seat, and tricky as you're always pp in the low range.
I had bought a used Yamaha YTS62 specially for the purpose, as they are so much easier than most Selmers down there.
Having a Gottsu and some Vandorens among the mouthpieces I was testing, I realized I could do a Japan vs France side by side test. Banzaï !
For some reasons I don't remember I chose Cheesecake to do some low range noodling. Mister Dexter, pardon me if I'm not respecting the melody all the way.

Blue strap: Selmer MkVII, Vandoren V16 "frenchy"
Red strap: Yam YTS62, Gottsu Master "banzaï”

Frenchy Banzaï

 

[Digger2054]

@dexdex nice! I really enjoyed that

 

[mrblackbat]

Here's a take from me:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oErqJp5yees

TBH, I played too much on this one; not enough space.

 

[Digger2054]

Nice playing, your sound's awesome! Some nice soft playing, and big rich sound Some nice little embellishments to the melody too

TBH, I played too much on this one; not enough space.

Are you being a bit self critical? - I think it suited the piece well, the melody bounces along nicely even at slower tempo's, and you weren't just aimlessly rambling along.

I've an idea for my entry this month (time permitting), I'm relatively happy with my Alto, but the tenor's not co-operating

 

[mrblackbat]

Nice playing, your sound's awesome! Some nice soft playing, and big rich sound Some nice little embellishments to the melody too

Are you being a bit self critical? - I think it suited the piece well, the melody bounces along nicely even at slower tempo's, and you weren't just aimlessly rambling along.

I've an idea for my entry this month (time permitting), I'm relatively happy with my Alto, but the tenor's not co-operating

Thanks, really happy with my sound at the moment!

Just really mindful of trying to leave more space, and I think cause I'm still learning this, the temptation is there to play every chord!

 

[Digger2054]

I've been tinkering with trying to get a mix of Alto & Tenor together for this... but it just sounds a bit pants when exported, so after spending too much time today giving that a go, I threw my toys out of the pram and had a blast on the Alto... I need to spend some time experimenting in Audacity, mic position etc... along with all the other stuff I need to do!

https://soundcloud.com/david-hammond-823180899%2Fcheese-cake-180bpm-alto

View: https://soundcloud.com/david-hammond-823180899/cheese-cake-180bpm-alto?si=fd23e6b55840441dbb1cb9e88f92d596&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

 

[mrblackbat]

Nice playing! Unfortunately there's some distortion with the recording which was a shame.

For the head, with a song like this it's quite important to try and get in the pocket; so for next steps, I'd look at taking the tempo down, but then really focus on hitting the down beats spot on. I think this will then really help you get the rest nailed!

Good stuff!

 

[Digger2054]

Cheers... I wasn't in the best of moods when I recorded it, after spending ages recording Alto & Tenor at the slower tempo for it to be distorted, it was an 'av it take.

Will try again now I think I've sorted the levels out.

 

[Jeanette]

Thank you to @Digger2054 for hosting this month 😁 these threads never close so feel free to add your recording

Jx

 

[Digger2054]

Thanks for the invite & the entries - I'll get around to getting a proper recording, I may be waiting for a Scarlett 2i2 studio & SH57 to arrive 😉

 

[Saxodental]

Anyone else thinks that Robin Williams singing Prince Ali sounds like they stole it from Cheesecake ?

 

[rhysonsax]

Anyone else thinks that Robin Williams singing Prince Ali sounds like they stole it from Cheesecake ?

I've just listened and can honestly say no.

I did an improvisation workshop last November with trumpeter Steve Waterman. One of the tunes we did was "Welshcake" which is a contrafact (i.e. new melody) Steve wrote on the chords of Cheesecake. June has been very busy for me otherwise I was going to try to record Welshcake. Maybe I will next month.

Rhys

 

[Digger2054]

I may have bitten off more than I could chew with this choice... it's deceptive, I'm not happy with the triplets especially on Tenor.

Here's the Alto & a play through on the Tenor... With the orchestra on summer break I'm aiming to put everything on hold and spend 6-7 weeks concentrating on my biggest weakness that's holding me back timing, and scales/arpeggio's.

Really loving the vibe you got on your take Matt