(82) “Days and Nights Waiting” and Charles Lloyd

Standards Rating 2 Difficulty Rating 5

“Days and Nights Waiting,” composed by Keith Jarrett and performed by the Charles Lloyd Quartet, is a harmonically rich tune built on a 32-bar AABA form. Its spacious melody contrasts with intricate II–V-based progressions that tease traditional resolutions, giving soloists wide harmonic freedom. Jarrett’s composition features rhythmic motifs and non-diatonic tonal shifts, supporting lyrical yet adventurous improvisation. Notable recordings include the 1967 Montreux performance by the Charles Lloyd Quartet, showcasing their dynamic interplay and emotional depth.

Charles Lloyd, born in 1938 in Memphis, fused blues, gospel, and jazz from an early age. After formative years with legends like Chico Hamilton and Cannonball Adderley, Lloyd formed a groundbreaking quartet with Jarrett, DeJohnette, and McClure. Their crossover appeal brought jazz to wider audiences, notably with Forest Flower. After a retreat from the spotlight, Lloyd returned with profound, genre-blending work. His lifelong pursuit of spiritual and musical truth cements him as a visionary voice in modern jazz.

Charles Lloyd

Steve Wilson

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