Before learning to play the saxophone, the clarinet, and the flute; before attending the Detroit Institute for Musical Arts; before meeting John Coltrane, who encouraged him to move to New York to pursue his dreams; before collaborating with Herbie Hancock; before playing on Miles Davis’ most pivotal album.

Before all that.

Before all that, a young Bennie Maupin would go down the street after school to sit under an open window where an elderly neighbour would play the saxophone. He’d hold a stick in his hands, imagine it was a sax, close his eyes and play along.

I hope it was that memory that went through Maupin’s head each time he performed this song.

What makes this a beautiful song:

1. The first ten seconds have the hazy quality of a memory from the distant past.

2. Then, the eleventh second hits you with a sudden key change, jolting you back into the present.

3. The final chord lasts for just about the last 30 seconds of the song, fading off into the future.

Recommended listening activity:

Travelling through time.

Spotify.

The post Week 782: “Past + Present = Future” by Bennie Maupin appeared first on Beautiful Song Of The Week.