In Pursuit Of The 27th Man (C major) - Jazz Analysis & Chords

Harmonic Highlights

• Modal stasis: The composition opens with a prolonged 12-bar C7b9sus pedal, establishing a Phrygian dominant or “Spanish” harmonic atmosphere.
• Tritone functionality: The bridge utilizes a Gb7 to G7#9 movement, acting as a bII7 to V7 approach that generates chromatic tension before returning to the tonic.
• Hard bop turnarounds: The Ab7 to G7#9 progression functions as a bVI7 - V7 cadence, a signature Horace Silver device used to pivot back to C minor or C dominant centers.
• Shifting tonality: The transition from the static C7sus sections to the rapid dominant cycles in the B section creates a high-contrast harmonic rhythm.

Improvisation Focus C Phrygian Dominant (the 5th mode of F harmonic minor) to navigate the C7b9sus pedal.

Difficulty Rating 3 (Intermediate). While the modal sections are harmonically simple, maintaining melodic interest over the long pedal requires sophisticated phrasing and mastery of altered dominant colors.