Estaté Jazz Piano Transcription (Bossa Nova) Paul Tobey Performance
$29.95
This 11-page solo piano improvisation by Paul Tobey, of Bruno Martino’s Estaté, an evocative Bossa Nova standard, was captured during a recent Saturday morning livestream on the Jazzmentl YouTube channel. Crafted in the key of B minor, this arrangement explores the intricate beauty of its melody and harmonic structure within an unusual 14-bar AABA form, a distinctive framework that amplifies its expressive depth.
A concise introduction sets the stage, moving to the V7 chord B7#11 before the left hand establishes a smooth and simple bossa nova feel, anchoring with the root and then the 5th on the “and” of beat 2. This steady rhythmic pulse underpins the performance, providing a foundation for nuanced improvisation. I’ve got to give a quick nod to the transcriber, Przemysław Jaworucki, for nailing every nuance with razor-sharp accuracy and a downright obsessive eye for detail. Pure jazz magic!
The transcription begins with a four-bar rhythmic setup over B minor, employing simple chords that allow the melody’s opening F# note to resonate with clarity. Notably, the chords remain below the melody line, ensuring its prominence and lending a lyrical elegance to this soulful tune. A striking moment emerges in the bridge, on the second bar of the third line on page 3, where a G#13(B9 #11) chord introduces a burst of dissonance. Up to this point, the harmony has been largely tonal, making this altered dominant a perfect pivot to heighten tension—a hallmark of thoughtful reharmonization that balances consonance and complexity.
In the solo section, quarter-note triplets—both single notes and chords—interweave with the steady bossa nova bass line, creating syncopation essential to the genre’s rhythmic vitality. These flowing lines, enriched with Bb minor bebop and Bb blues scales, build dynamically, showcasing extended, expressive phrasing. The improvisation gracefully returns to the melody, culminating in evocative arpeggios that shift from Bb minor to Bb major, echoing the modal interplay between the second A section and the bridge. Mastering this transcription requires dedication, but its lessons in harmonic finesse and bossa nova phrasing are profoundly rewarding.
To fully capture its essence, explore the original recording here:
Why This Transcription?
- Intricate Chord Symbols: Precise notations unlocking lush, refined voicings.
- Przemysław Jaworucki’s Stellar Transcription: Every note, phrase, and nuance nailed with masterful precision.
- Expressive, Flowing Lines: Dive into Paul Tobey’s soulful melodic runs and improvisational finesse.
- Rich Harmonic Textures: Layered chords channeling the Brazilian jazz spirit of legends like Jobim.
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