tempo suggestion doesn't jibe with a reference

[niallyboy]

Hey All,

There's a jazz listing buried in the instrumental listings requesting "down to mid-tempo jazz instrumentals", and they have Miles Davis' Four has one of references:

SMALL ENSEMBLE JAZZ INSTRUMENTALS are needed for a $1,000, Non-Exclusive, Direct-to-Supervisor placement in a brand new Drama-based TV Series. They’re looking for original, mood-setting, Down-to-Mid-Tempo Jazz Instrumentals in the general stylistic wheelhouse of artists like Grant Green, Bill Evans, Miles Davis, etc., etc., etc. Please listen to the following references to get yourself in the ballpark of what they need: “Django” by Grant Green: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0P3kNWdh1k “Alice In Wonderland” by Bill Evans Trio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuzZ8mV9Zh8 “Four” by Miles Davis Quintet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xuLs0ax7XI Quoting the source: “We need Instrumental Jazz to play as background source in a car. Should be a trio, quartet, or small ensemble. The lead instrument that’s soloing shouldn't stick out too much (the part shouldn't get too busy and the volume should be mixed appropriately with the rest of the instrumentation).” Please submit authentic-sounding Jazz Instrumentals that are, or sound like a real-deal, small-ensemble Jazz band, with excellent musicianship. Instrumentation can vary, but should be typical of a traditional, small-ensemble Jazz group. . . . . Instrumentation can vary, but should be typical of a traditional, small-ensemble Jazz group. Please avoid submitting anything that sounds stiff, synthetic, or obviously MIDI-driven. The more authentic sounding, the better! Also, please avoid busy and/or frenetic material that would distract from dialog in the scene.

Well, Four is being played at 206 bpm, not exactly mid-tempo. This contradiction would put a screener in a bit of a bind, wouldn't one think? I've got some medium-up bebop I could also send, but according to the rest of the listing it may be a bit of a distraction.

On another note, a listing like this is usually under the jazz heading, as most jazz is instrumental.

Sincerely,
Niall

[jonnybutter]

Yeah Niall, 'Four' certainly isn't down-to-mid tempo! Maybe it is mid tempo compared to fast bop?

I'm sure I don't need to tell *you* that they're probably going for feel more than a tempo - e.g. when Miles solos, there's lots of space, whereas a Parker bop tune is way sweatier and has lots more notes. But these are tough bc of that kind of ambiguity, no?

If I have time I'm going to try for a B. Evans piano waltz type thing for this. Some of his trio jazz waltzes are a bit faster than medium tempo too, but I can see why they would work in a scene: lots of space. My take is that tracks that might work have to somehow reek of 1950s/early 60s jazz and be on the cool side.

good luck man

[Paulie]

Agreed. From the listing:

Use them only as a general guide for tempo, texture, and overall vibe.

[Paulie]

One of the things I learned at the rally about listings (from a screener) is to listen to all three of the a la's and find to what they have in common. Don't try to emulate one listing, find out what they share and them try to deliver that. Whatever 'that' is.