Why this tune?
Where does a new song come from? This one started with a post by my old friend Manisha Shahane with the caption “Entered May with this exploration…” She asked me to write a second section, which led to the short tune I recorded for this week’s post. I used her tune as the introduction to a light funk groove that builds on the melody and harmony she set up.
The song doesn’t have a title or lyrics yet, but I think there are plenty of options for those. That two note melodic figure suggests a bunch of possible lyrics: “Love me,” “Hold me,” “You there” – any of which could spark a story. Stay tuned for updates as the tune progresses.
Speaking of new tunes, please join me for my May 27 show at Blues Alley in Washington, DC, celebrating the release of my new EP “Grown Up Since Tuesday.” We’re going to play the songs from the EP plus more of my tunes, and songs by composers who have inspired me.
Oren Levine, jazz pianist and songwriter 