The Quote

There have been few, if indeed any, jazz musicians who haven't, at one time or another, inserted a quote (a recognisable phrase from another song) into their solo. Dexter Gordon was particularly adept at this form of jazz humour and Stan Getz's insertion of a couple of bars from Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man in his masterful recording of The Way You Look Tonight is as near perfect an example of how well a quote can be used.

For lesser musicians a quote can also provide a 'get out of jail free' card - when all else fails ...

I recall a local northeast musician - no names, no pack drill - who could blow a whole chorus of quotes including anything from God Save the King to Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

Then, of course, there is always the Johnny/Jenny know-alls in the audience who nod their head and snootily smile as though they've solved the chicken and the egg conundrum when a tenor player quotes Yes we Have no Bananas during his solo on Scrapple From the Apple as if no one else had picked up on it.

To counter this, I do the same, nodding my head in appreciation of the subtle humour of a phrase and adopting a superior smirk. I do this at any random point, in any solo by any instrument on any tune. In fact, in any few bars that aren't an actual quote. If I'm called out I give an exasperating smile as if dealing with an idiot.

'Surely you recognised that phrase from Trane's 29th chorus on My Favorite Things?'

If they counter-punch with, 'but I've got that album and ...'

This is when you hit them in the solar plexus ... 'I am referring to the alternate take on the limited edition French reissue ...'

By now they are on the ropes and a new chumpion (sic) is crowned. Lance