Benny Golson

I Remember Clifford

Clifford Brown was a very promising trumpeter who played with the best ones when he was killed in a car accident only 25 years old. Benny Golson (tenor saxophone) played with him in Lionel Hampton's band, and wrote this melody as a tribute to his colleague. The original was recorded by Donald Byrd in 1957.

The melody was quickly picked up and recorded by a myriad of musicians and eventually lyrics was added. This varies a bit from recording to recording.

This arrangement is based on the ability to use both vocal and instrumentalists as soloists. There are two different graded written solos for instrumentalists, or they can play the melody and improvise on the repetition.

It is important that the conductor make the shure that the balance in the accompaniment is good. Stylistically, eighths are initially played even, while there is a slight swing feeling in drums.

Solo Options:

Vokal / Eb-Instruments grade 3 / Eb-Instruments grade 4 / Bb-Instruments grade 3 /

Bb-Instruments grade 4