10 Seconds: Miguel Gorodi

https://miguelgorodi.com/

1. Billie Holiday, Lester Young, Roy Eldridge, Gerry Mulligan, Mal Waldron - Fine & Mellow (1'28" -1"38")

From CBS TV broadcast (1959)

"Just so unbearably cool. The phrasing, the space, the time… Pres wasn’t going to be rushed by anyone. There are dozens of immaculately crafted solos I could have chosen from. Those first four bars represent the epitome of understated swagger for me. You don’t need to watch his eyebrows to get that feeling but it doesn’t hurt!"

2. Miles Davis - My Funny Valentine (0'55 - 1'05")

From Miles Davis - My Funny Valentine: Miles Davis in Concert (1964)

"Another desert album disc for so many (especially if you can get the complete concert - My Funny Valentine + Four & More). One of the reasons I’m several months late in submitting this is for all the evenings I’ve been trawling through my favourite moments from this gig to find one that fits the 10 second parameter, and then trying to decide which is my favourite. It’s impossible, so I’ve just gone with ‘the first moment’ for its poise and composure.

Shout out to Sam Warner, Andrew McCormack and Nigel Price who all chose the famous moment of audience participation on ‘Stella’! And also to Mark Lockheart who chose the very first moment I thought of when George asked me to do this – when Tony Williams starts rocking out on ‘It’s About That Time’. Luckily there are millions of other Miles moments to choose from."

3. Miles Davis - 'Round Midnight (3'21" - 3'31")

From Miles Davis - In Person: Saturday Night at the Blackhawk (1961)

"I love all the shouts and send-offs Miles included in the arrangements he played. This is a classic, there are a few recordings with this arrangement but I think this is my favourite example because the band leave that huge bar of space completely empty, and I love how Jimmy Cobb hits that fill. I included as much of the 5.5 seconds of space as I could because it really creates the drama."

4. Wayne Shorter - Pegasus (20'55" - 21'05")

From Wayne Shorter - Without a Net (2011)

"I obsessed over this piece for years and years, it’s an incredible ride! Shout out to Dan Casimir, Trish Clowes and Max Luthert who all picked the same excerpt I first thought of, but I’m very happy with this second choice! This simple theme has been going round and building in intensity for some time, but in this moment there’s a slight bluesy variation, someone screams, Brian Blade goes even more nuts. It’s glorious!"

5. Kenny Wheeler - The Sweet Time Suite: Part VII - Closing (12'37" - 12'47")

From Kenny Wheeler - Music For Large & Small Ensembles (1990)

"The cadenza Kenny plays over that final chord. That glistening, sorrowful sound that he weaves through several harmonic colours – it’s magical and haunting."

6. McCoy Tyner - Passion Dance (3'43" - 3'53")

From McCoy Tyner - The Real McCoy (1967)

"You never know what you might have missed on these classic albums! It probably wasn’t for at least 10 years after first hearing this recording I noticed this moment… Imagine, McCoy’s just come to the end of what will be revered as one of the great piano solos, Elvin hits that beat 1 like only he can before steaming away on the ride, it’s the start of Joe Henderson’s solo… Every bass player worth their salt would surely be compelled to go steaming ahead and walk with all the swing they could muster. Except Ron Carter decides he’s not going to do that… that actually he feels he wants to chuck some huge bass slides at everyone. I’m not sure I know of another example in a swinging context that this happens. And it’s amazing. I think he’s probably my favourite bass player for influencing the arrangement of a tune, it’s genius composition in real time (probably more obvious to hear what I mean with Miles’ 2nd Quintet, but this moment is unique I think!)."

7. John Surman/John Warren - Shingebis And The North Wind (26'42" - 26'52")

From John Surman/John Warren - Tales of the Algonquin (1971)

"This is an amazing album, and Harry Beckett’s trumpet solo on this track is one of my all time favourites. Hard to pick a moment, but in the end I went with the entry of this melody that strikes so hauntingly dissonant against the riff. Then Harry Beckett comes right in, so bold and full of conviction with that amazing sound. I don’t know how much attention this album gets, but I really believe it’s a masterpiece and a fantastic example of the unique and distinctive flavour of jazz that was happening in Britain during this era."

8. Clifford Brown - Once In A While (2'57" - 3'07")

From Clifford Brown - Live at Birdland (1954)

"Out of all the amazing Clifford recordings that I love, this album might be my favourite.

Just sublime playing from everyone, as you’d expect, but for me there’s something extra special about Clifford on live recordings (I’ve noticed this live element being a bit of a theme for me actually!). I love this moment where the rhythm section go into a waltz feel whilst Clifford plays those funky lines in the slower 4/4 feel, it’s so groovy!"

9. Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra - The Second Race (8'31" - 8'41")

From Thad Jones and Mel Lewis Orchestra at the Village Vanguard (1970)

"Some of the most fun music to play! This is a climactic moment towards the end of the arrangement, but what makes it so extra for me is Mel Lewis’ bass drum. The placement of those kicks brings so much tension and excitement just before each downbeat."

10. Ornette Coleman - Rock the Clock (1'00" - 1'10")

From Ornette Coleman - Science Fiction (1972)

"Very punk rock! Fearless and joyous playing, somehow with complete abandon yet with the utmost conviction. I especially love how Dewey Redman’s incredible sound sings out of the chaos."

11. John Coltrane - PT 2 Resolution (3'45" - 3'55")

From John Coltrane - A Love Supreme (1964)

"The tail end of McCoy’s solo where he’s been smashing out those dotted crotchets, but then at this moment he breaks away from that pattern into these furious bells, and it’s a glorious set-up for Coltrane."

12. Steve Lehman Octet - Echoes (0'00" - 0'10")

From Steve Lehman -Travail, Transformation, and Flow (2009)

"Like diving into freezing water! It might not be for everyone but I don’t think anyone could call it boring. The whole sonic experience smacks you in the face from the start."