“Equipoise”and Stanley Cowell (109)
Standards Rating 3, Difficulty Rating 7
“Equipoise” is a perfect title for Stanley Cowell’s composition—everything about the piece feels balanced, even while the harmony and rhythm are in constant motion. Set in F♯ minor with a medium, quasi-Latin groove, the tune blends space, syncopation, and subtle tension. Its unusual 28-bar AAB form and shifting root movement—often by half and whole steps—create a floating sense of tonal gravity. Stanley Cowell’s touch as a pianist mirrors the composition’s design: lyrical, poised, and harmonically rich. A pianist with deep classical training and broad jazz experience, he had a gift for making complex structures feel natural and expressive. “Equipoise” captures that artistry—intellect and feeling held in perfect balance.
Jazz Real Book Playlist Vol. 2