jazz

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.