Concert key: C
Style: Medium up swing
 

Purchase Recording

Recording Information: Recorded on November 9 or 10, 1994, and first released on "Secrets" / Kenny Drew, Jr. (TCB 98502).

Description: Kenny Drew Jr.'s melody starts right out with the whole tone row in heavy swinging eighth notes (a "tone row" contains all twelve chromatic pitches). The melody then goes up a half step and the interval pattern is reversed. Kenny adds more rhythmic and dynamic interest as he uses different twelve-note patterns. You should have some fun figuring out how his melodic lines are constructed. Two takes of Serial Blues are available on "Secrets" album.

Historical Notes: This was Kenny Drew Jr.'s fourth trio date as a leader. His first, "Third Phase," was recorded in 1989 with Buster Williams (bass) and Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums). In 1993 he recorded his second trio date with Eddie Gomez (bass) and drummer Bill Stewart ("Another Point Of View"). In 1994 he recorded "Portraits Of Mingus & Monk" with the same trio from the "Serial Blues" album.
Kenny recorded Serial Blues again in 1997, with soprano saxophonist Steve Wilson geting a crack at the melody ("Follow The Spirit" on Sirocco Jazz).