Style:

Swing, typically played at up tempos.

Form:

A-B-A-C (32 Bars) [8-8-8-8]

Key:

F Major

Harmony/Overview:

The  harmony of this composition is non-functional. The main theme is centered around E7#9b13 - F6 while the upper-extensions of each chord  remain the same in the melody (C-G-E). Many lead sheets will include  slightly varying sets of changes throughout the piece and while there is  much room for reharmonization, the essence of the harmonic structure remains consistent. For instance, in bars 5-7 many charts will include  Dmin7 - Ebmaj7#11 - E7, although in practice it is not uncommon to hear Altered Dominants moving in parallel motion instead: D13#9 - Eb13#9 -  E13#9.

Recordings:

This song has been recorded over 60 times to date. The first recording comes from Miles Davis' 1965 album E.S.P., and  it has since become one of Wayne Shorter's many compositions to earn a place in the jazz canon. It continues to be performed and recorded  frequently to this day and remains a strikingly modern composition  nearly 60 years later.

JGC Top Picks:

Miles Davis, E.S.P., 1965

Joey DeFrancesco, ReBoppin', 1992

Brian Charette, Missing Floor, 2008