SOTM SOTM November 2025 - Red Baron

[sax panther]

Morning all

It's my turn again to host SOTM, and I've picked Red Baron by Billy Cobham from the Spectrum album.

It's mostly a two chord groove, but there are some spicier chords just before the end of the head, and some interesting rhythms to keep you on your toes.

Here's the original:

CLICK HERE to access the folder where I've uploaded everything. There are lead sheets for Eb, Bb and concert pitch, plus two different backing tracks - one that I knocked up in ireal pro, and another one that I've made with me playing bass, guitar and keys, which will be useful if you want to ride that feeling of being much better than your backing band. It's quite a short tune - both versions go round the head 5 times but on each time I've left the 4 bar intro in so that you can have a little breather, or for some extra noodling (this is reflected on the lead sheets too). On the homemade version the intro section is more obvious as I've stuck a little organ riff in to break it up. If you have other backing tracks feel free to use them instead, there are some on youtube.

I hope you have fun with it, looking forward to hearing your recordings and I'll make sure I do one myself.

 

[atwl77]

I found this one quite entertaining to listen to (starts at 3:35):

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKYrNgbui1w

 

[mizmar]

one that I knocked up in ireal pro

I looked, just out of curiosity - on the iReal forum, there's a version with (concert) Gm7 C9 rather than your G7 C9

Either way, fab.

 

[sax panther]

I looked, just out of curiosity - on the iReal forum, there's a version with (concert) Gm7 C9 rather than your G7 C9

Either way, fab.

I've seen lead sheets and backing tracks for each version...they both work but I think the original uses a normal G7 - my ears are hearing the B natural moving down a semitone to Bb to become the 7 in the C9 chord...the Bb in the melody then becomes a bit of a blue note.

 

[sax panther]

Forgot to say - on the homemade track, the backing drops out completely in bar 11...so you'll have to count! It's intentional but if it's making things difficult I can put a click or a hihat in there to keep the best.

 

[mrblackbat]

Great choice, I’ve always loved this song since first hearing Spectrum in my late teens. Will be fun learning it…. Though I struggle with this style a bit!

 

[rhysonsax]

I see that Red Baron is included in the excellent Quartet series of Apps for Jazz backing tracks. I liked the default tempo (90bpm) and key (G minor) so have produced this backing which can be downloaded and used by anyone:

Red Baron (backing track from Quartet 3) Gm 90bpm.m4a | Powered by Box

This track was recorded for Quartet 3 by (I think): Geoff Gascoyne (bass), Graham Harvey (keyboards) and Sebastiaan de Krom (drums).

Although users of Quartet can modify key, tempo and instruments included, the basic structure of each tune is fixed (but you can choose the number of solo choruses). Here are the chords that it uses for Red Baron:

Intro:
| Gm7 C7 | (for 8 bars)

A Section: (played twice)
| Gm7 C7 | (for 6 bars)
| N.C. | F | Eb | Gm7 C7 |
| Gm7 C7 | (for 3 more bars)

B Section: (for soloing)
| Gm7 C7 | (for 16 bars)

Ending:
| F | (held)

If anyone would like me to alter the key, tempo or number of solo sections then just ask.

Rhys

 

[sax panther]

A very quick attempt tonight...but I might have another go later in the month. Almost all of my saxes used on this, but I didn't pluck up the courage to include soprano.

https://soundcloud.com/user-934945909%2Fred-baron-attempt-1

View: https://soundcloud.com/user-934945909/red-baron-attempt-1

 

[Ivan]

A very quick attempt tonight...but I might have another go later in the month. Almost all of my saxes used on this, but I didn't pluck up the courage to include soprano.

https://soundcloud.com/user-934945909%2Fred-baron-attempt-1

View: https://soundcloud.com/user-934945909/red-baron-attempt-1

Ace rendition(s)

I'm impressed that you managed the triplets ensemble

I'm having some good goes, starting slow, and trying to nail them with just one instrument, let alone overlaying others

 

[sax panther]

Ace rendition(s)

I'm impressed that you managed the triplets ensemble

I'm having some good goes, starting slow, and trying to nail them with just one instrument, let alone overlaying others

Would be great to hear a recording from you - I suspected this might be up your street after you did the Fireeater month (I still regret not putting something together for that, so that's why I quoted it in the alto solo!)

 

[Jeanette]

Would be great to hear a recording from you - I suspected this might be up your street after you did the Fireeater month (I still regret not putting something together for that, so that's why I quoted it in the alto solo!)

Never too late 😁

 

[sax panther]

Never too late 😁

You record something for my SOTM and I'll do Ivan's....fair?

 

[Ivan]

You record something for my SOTM and I'll do Ivan's....fair?

You show me yours...

 

[Jeanette]

You record something for my SOTM and I'll do Ivan's....fair?

It sounds fair on paper but......

I'll have a think. It's been a long time since I recorded anything.

Jx

 

[Taragot]

Hello,
here's an attempt on this groovy baron on alto.

All the best
Dirk

https://soundcloud.com/taragot%2Fred-baron_alto

View: https://soundcloud.com/taragot/red-baron_alto

 

[Taragot]

Hi Sax Panther,
I'm glad that I listent to your track after recording mine! I wouldn't have sent mine propably, though I know it's not a contest. Everything sounds so crisp and articulated on all your horns! And that tripple-horn chorus sounds super massive and great. I'll try another one later this month....

 

[sax panther]

Hi Sax Panther,
I'm glad that I listent to your track after recording mine! I wouldn't have sent mine propably, though I know it's not a contest. Everything sounds so crisp and articulated on all your horns! And that tripple-horn chorus sounds super massive and great. I'll try another one later this month....

Hi Taragot - thanks for getting involved, great to hear another recording!

I think your timing on this is really good - it sounds like you're really relaxed with it, but the tricky triplets bits are all still sounding really precise and comfortable. I liked the way you started off your solo section by taking little bits of the tune and then expanding on them, I thought that gave the solo a real sense of development and build up (which is something I need to work on myself!)

 

[mrblackbat]

Someone has removed the guitar part from the original, in case anyone wants to jam with Billy himself.... recording shortly.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PziSDPLD5wQ

 

[progger]

This is a great record. Nice choice. 🙂

For what it's worth, on the original recording (which I, personally, would definitely consider the "primary source material" over anything else), it's definitely G7 to C7, not Gmin7 to C7 in what the Rhodes is playing. Very clearly a major third in that G chord, although of course a Bb will sound totally fine while improvising. The Blues, and all...

 

[sax panther]

This is a great record. Nice choice. 🙂

For what it's worth, on the original recording (which I, personally, would definitely consider the "primary source material" over anything else), it's definitely G7 to C7, not Gmin7 to C7 in what the Rhodes is playing. Very clearly a major third in that G chord, although of course a Bb will sound totally fine while improvising. The Blues, and all...

Cool, that's exactly what I heard too. It did make me doubt my ears though seeing so many lead sheets with a Gmin7!