Wanton Spirit from Schroeder's Tantrum by Earl MacDonald

I still have a hard time believing that Kenny Barron, one of my musical mentors, recorded this tune with Roy Haynes and Charlie Haden as the title track of his 1995 Verve release. When I first heard his group play the tune at Fat Tuesday's in New York, it was an incredible feeling. I rearranged it after Kenny recorded it, adding a metric modulation and a few other twists and turns to give it a lift before I put it down on tape.

Described as “a magical, musical alchemist of hip hybrids,” Earl MacDonald continues the long, impactful tradition of political and social activism within the jazz arena. The pianist/composer serves as Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Connecticut. Visit earlmacdonald.com for more info.

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