Why this tune?
Last week was the birthday of the great jazz sax player and composer Benny Golson. That was an opportunity to learn one of his classic tunes, “Along Came Betty.” Golson wrote it for a woman he was dating: “the rhythmic sway reflects how Betty used to walk.”
Art Blakey recorded it first in 1954, and went on to add many Golson tunes to its book.
It’s rare to hear a jazz jam session or gig that doesn’t include at least one Golson tune.
You can hear “Whisper Not,” “Stablemates,” or “I Remember Clifford” wherever jazz cats meet.
I find “Along Came Betty” a challenge to play; it’s quite the harmonic workout.
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Complete piano track
Oren Levine, jazz pianist and songwriter 