[Harp-L] Re: Any pro's got insight on Little Walters harmonies?

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In 1978 the Rutgers University Journal of Jazz Studies published my article "An Appreciation of Little Walter", which discussed in detail the evidence of jazz influence in Walter's recordings.  I concluded that based on his recordings, Walter had probably listened to a lot of jump band players like Illinois Jacquet in particular.  

The big difference between Walter's work and Lester Young's is the phrasing.  Walter's lines are basically built by repeating short (usually 2-bar) phrases, and the phrases don't necessarily refer to the underlying harmony.  Young's lines are explicitly about the harmony, and he doesn't use repetition nearly as much as Walter as a basic device for building his lines.  

Both players have a lot of blues in them, of course.  But the length of the phrases, and the use of repetition as a basic building block, is what really makes the difference.  

Thanks and regards, Richard Hunter
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