Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Ebm71035.7%
E7#9828.6%
Bb7b13310.7%
B13310.7%
Ab1327.1%
A1313.6%
C1313.6%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
Bb7b13 -> Ebm7Resolution (Minor)2

Harmonic Highlights

  • The progression centers on a Phrygian-influenced i7 – bII7#9 (Ebm7 to E7#9) tonic vamp, creating the signature “soul-jazz” tension through chromatic dominant substitution.
  • Parallel dominant 13th chords (Ab13 to A13 and B13 to C13) utilize “side-slipping” motion, providing non-functional harmonic color rather than traditional circle-of-fifths resolutions.
  • The Bb7b13 functions as an altered V7 chord, serving as the primary turnaround mechanism to reset the 24-bar structure back to the Eb minor home key.

Improvisation Focus Eb Minor Blues Scale (integrating the E natural/F natural tension over the E7#9).

Difficulty Rating 2: While the 24-bar form and chromatic shifts require melodic awareness, the slow gospel-groove and repetitive vamps are very accessible for intermediate improvisers.


📚 Standard Available in:

The Real Book - Volume II
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