Kenny Kirkland on 7sus chords / by Malcolm Edmonstone

In this phrase the late, great Kenny Kirkland nods to both Herbie and McCoy. The pentatonic construction is straight out of McCoy's bag whereas the note choices employ a technique often used by H.H. - using the major third over a 7sus chord gives a super rich colour to the melody. 

This works so well because the 3rd (usually a pretty ordinary note) becomes a tension due to it being replaced in the lower chord by the 4th, it's muscular next door neighbour.  

A quick trick is to play the pentatonic scale on the same root as the 7sus chord.  

Here's the track (phrase at 1:32)  

 

RIP Kenny Kirkland, you did so much for jazz piano.