Beauty and the Beast - Elizabeth Shepherd Trio

Today's track comes from the excellent Japanese exclusive MODAL JAZZ LOVES DISNEY. In case you are not familiar with the term "modal jazz", the term comes from a style of soloing by using different jazz modes rather than chord progressions.

A standard scale, let's say C major, includes CDEFGABC. But a mode is essentially the same scale but starting on a different note. Dorian mode in the key of C is DEFGABCD, Phrygian mode in the key of C is EFGABCDE, etc. (This is a simple way of explaining it. There are far more complexities that come into play when you actually go about studying the theory.)

This makes it easier for soloists to form melodies and moods in their solos without having to worry about choral changes. And this isn't just for jazz. Many songs in the pop world use modes as well. The Beatles' Eleanor Rigby is in the Dorian mode, and the guitar solo in Achilles Last Stand by Led Zeppelin is in the Aeolian mode.

This version of Beauty and the Beast, by Canadian jazz pianist ELIZABETH SHEPHERD is in (and you jazz experts can correct me if I'm wrong) the Mixolydian mode in the key of Bb.

I love this cover. The song is changed so much and is incredibly interesting to listen to. It sounds like the trio had a fun time arranging it too. Here is what Shepherd had to say about the experience:

"Beauty and the Beast... so much potential here - I had to capitalize. I wanted to do something totally different from the schmaltzy Celine Dion original - if for nothing else than to add diversity to the sounds of Canadian women! The boys (Colin and Scott), of course, picked it up right away and we got it down in the first take. I guess that's the beauty of working together, this beauty and 2 beasts - ha!"