Bright Mississippi (Bb major) - Jazz Analysis & Chords

Chord Distribution Analysis

No obvious ii-V patterns detected.

Harmonic Highlights

• The composition is a contrafact of “Sweet Georgia Brown,” employing a persistent cycle of dominant seventh chords (VI7 – II7 – V7 – I7).
• It features extended durations of four measures per chord, requiring the improviser to sustain interest over static harmonic blocks.
• The progression utilizes a secondary dominant chain that bypasses traditional minor ii-V-I cadences in favor of dominant resolutions.
• Monk’s melodic line frequently targets the #11 and 13 extensions, shifting the harmonic color toward a Lydian Dominant sound.

Improvisation Focus Lydian Dominant scale (Mixolydian #11) to navigate the extended dominant cycles while highlighting Monk’s specific melodic tensions.

Difficulty Rating 3/5 - While the harmonic cycle is predictable, the typical high tempo and the requirement to phrase creatively over long-duration chords demand strong rhythmic and melodic maturity.