A Guide To Help You Play Better Jazz Piano
by
Ron Drotos
History and overview:
“Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White” is a Latin-style popular song from 1950, usually played as a mambo. It’s not really a jazz tune, but you may be asked to play it if you ever play music for ballroom dancing. It has a fun, catchy melody, and easy chord changes to improvise over.
Here are some recommended recordings/videos:
(for international readers who may not have access to these YouTube links, I’ve indicated the original album names wherever possible so you can listen to them on music streaming services, etc.)
Pérez Prado
Al Hirt
by the New Orleans jazz trumpeter, Al Hirt.
Beegie Adair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48cY8g3bwek
Musical ideas and jazz piano practice tips:
The Real Book mistakenly refers to this tune as a bossa, when in fact it’s really a mambo. (You don’t have to become an expert in distinguishing Latin rhythms, but it does come in handy to know what some of the basic styles sound like.) If you want to hear something similar in more of bebop style, listen to Charlie Parker’s “My Little Suede Shoes.”
Enjoy the journey, and “let the music flow!”
Further links and resources:
Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White: Wikipedia
Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White: Journey Through The Real Book #62
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