Collection of jazz-related songs I have written of the last several years. Much "thanks" to Len Cagle, tenor saxophone, who was featured in many of the pieces.

DAVEHEFFNER.COM

Jazz, Blues, Fusion - Dave Heffner

Featuring Chris Morgan on trumpet, this electronic composition blended with trumpet produces what I like to call Electro Jazz or more traditionally, Jazz Fusion style. Originally created with Korg Gadget, the tracks were exported to Pro Tools for adding the trumpet and mixing.

Be Cool (ft. Chris Morgan - trumpet)

Song written, played and produced by Dave Heffner on piano. The Wicked Witch enters the stage.
Danse Toile Ballet presents the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy's journey into the land of Oz to the Emerald City, told through choreography by Marie-Jose Payannet,  original music pieces by Bruce Klepper and Dave Heffner, and beautiful scenery by fine artist Sarah Winkler. Jan. 27th through Jan. 29th, 2023 at the Broomfield Auditorium, Broomfield, Colorado.

Jazz in Oz

Song written, performed and produced by Dave Heffner on piano. End of ballet.
Danse Toile Ballet presents the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy's journey into the land of Oz to the Emerald City, told through choreography by Marie-Jose Payannet, original music pieces by Bruce Klepper and Dave Heffner, and beautiful scenery by fine artist Sarah Winkler. Jan. 27th through Jan. 29th, 2023 at the Broomfield Auditorium, Broomfield, Colorado.

Chance in Oz

I've got the job blues!

Dave Heffner - Songwriter, Producer
Anna Rader - Vocals
Len Cagle - Saxophone
Copyright 2015 David B. Heffner

Job Blues - feat. Anna Rader - vocals, Len Cagle - sax

Songwriter and Producer - Dave Heffner
Sax - Len Cagle
Copyright 2015 David B. Heffner

I Would Miss You

Songwriting and Production - Dave Heffner
Sax - Len Cagle
Vocals - Anna Rader

Copyright  2015 David B. Heffner

Blues Etude in C minor

A little bit of Dance, Trance, and Jazz Fusion for a pleasant stew!

Songwriter and Production - Dave Heffner
Sax - Len Cagle
Copyright 2015 David B. Heffner

Get Out the Junk

Something completely different. Sax player Len challenged me for a composition using Chromatic scale. Fairly complex to play the score. The challenge was to stretch towards the avant garde, but keep it musical.
Dave Heffner - song, production
Tim Breon- electric guitar
Len Cagle - saxophone
Copyright 2016 David B. Heffner

Chromatic Fusion In Eb (f. Tim Breon - guitar, Len Cagle - saxophone)

Dusted off the trombone for a change of pace with some smooth jazz, accompanied by Len Cagle on saxophone.
Dave Heffner - song, production, trombone, piano
Len Cagle - saxophone
Copyright 2016 David B. Heffner
See DAVEHEFFNER.COM for more information

Blues Etude No. 2 (feat. Len Cagle - sax, Dave Heffner - piano, trombone)

Third in a series of etudes or studies in jazz and the blues.  Written to a hip hop beat.
Copyright 2016 David B. Heffner

Blues Etude No. 3 (feat. Len Cagle - tenor sax, Dudly Ulysse - drum, Dave - piano, trombone)

In honor of the late keyboardist extraordinaire, Keith Emerson. Part 1 - piano. Part 2 - synth square wave.

Ode To Keith Emerson (Dave - piano, synth)

See outer space video... https://youtu.be/M0tVjlq_DNU. Web site: http://DAVEHEFFNER.COM
Len Cagle - saxophone, Dave Heffner - piano
Fourth in a popular series of smooth jazz using elements of hip hop and electronic music. Original compositions. See http;//DAVEHEFFNER.COM for more information. Copyright 2016 David B. Heffner

Blues Etude No. 4 "Goodbye" feat. Len Cagle - saxophone, Dave - Piano

See Youtube: https://youtu.be/lnMonabfdiQ. See https://DAVEHEFFNER.COM. Copyright 2017 David B. Heffner. Inspired by my grandson learning to walk and dance, this fast instrumental piece combines the elements of jazz with electronics woven throughout. This is the first time Len has recorded with his alto saxophone and the “edgy” timbre fits the song. The rhythm is tricky, but hopefully you can get into the swing. The flute sound is being played on a synthesizer.

Big Strut - Electro Jazz (f. Len Cagle - alto sax, Dave - piano)

See YouTube for lyrics: https://youtu.be/7M6DgzokHLw. See https://DAVEHEFFNER.COM. Alice Weiler - vocals, Len Cagle - tenor saxophone, Bruce Klepper - string arrangement (@bruce-klepper-1), Dudly Ulysse - drums (https://soundcloud.com/ocsolbeats), Dave Heffner - piano, lyrics, production.

The title is a message to slow up in what seems to be an increasingly hectic world. This song started with a slow hip hop beat created by Dudly. Since hip hop is a derivative of jazz, the beat inspired and supported this jazz blues song. Although it is a rarity for me, I “heard” the introductory lyrics and melody line almost immediately, which worked well to Alice’s soprano vocal style.. Len’s saxophone part is predominantly improvised in the true jazz spirit on top of my piano track. Bruce’s lush string arrangement adds to the message of this song and helps connect the transitions.

Slow Motion (Alice Weiler - vocals, Len Cagle - Sax, Bruce Klepper - strings, Dudly Ulysse - drums)

See Youtube: https://youtu.be/Mdkbp_vbcwU, Len Cagle - Alto and Tenor Saxophone. Written and produced by Dave Heffner. Copyright 2018 David B. Heffner. See https://DAVEHEFFNER.COM. Len and I thought it would be fun to have him play a duet with himself, using his higher pitched alto saxophone combined with his more mellow tenor saxophone. Even though the drum and bass follow a hip hop style, the song is primarily written as a big band composition with a brass section. Harmonic and rhythmic support is given by the organ and piano with some marimba to spice things up.

Blues Etude No. 5 - Sax Duet (feat. Len Cagle - alto & tenor saxophone)

The title is a humorous reference to the song by John Coltrane, “Giant Steps.” The piece began with me requesting Dudly to create a slow drum track, which I referenced as I created a chord sequence on the piano. Chris Morgan came highly recommended for the resulting trumpet part and Len Cagle improvises to the chord sequence. The whole process has loosely controlled guidelines, but open for improvisation. One of the reasons I like jazz.

Baby Steps (f. Chris Morgan - trumpet, Len Cagle - sax, Dudly Ulysse - drums)

YouTube: https://youtu.be/guEUj5G5tc0. Web: https://DAVEHEFFNER.COM
Chris Morgan - trumpet, Len Cagle - tenor saxophone, Dave - piano, synths. This is a cheerful song, thus “Tappin’” one’s foot. Trumpet, sax, and piano solos are each featured in this jazz number written to a rhythm and blues beat. This piece is influenced by Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass, with whom I played my trombone along with their records as a junior high student and later in a jazz and rock ensemble.

Tappin' (ft. Chris Morgan - trumpet, Len Cagle - sax, Dave - piano)Instrumental

YouTube: https://youtu.be/MDfgSB9BRcE Photos used in this video are the gardens of our former Queen Anne Victorian house in Pennsylvania. Cover pastel is by my wife Janet Heffner. The music composition was originally written for a ballet production about the artist Henri Matisse. The trumpet was chosen when writing the lead part, since I consider it to be a very colorful instrument. Bruce Klepper's (https://soundcloud.com/bruce-klepper-1) arrangement skill brings out some rich harmonies in the saxophones and brass sections. He also worked on improving the overall brass timbres. I was inspired in writing this song by posting the word “colorful” over my keyboard for a few weeks.

Colorful (Instrumental, Bruce Klepper - arr.)

(Alice Weiler - vocals, Len Cagle - tenor saxophone, Tim Breon - stand up bass, Dudly Ulysse - drums, Janet Heffner - vocals, Dave - vocals, piano, synths)
“...it’s goodbye my friend, Like all earthly things, they must come to an end. But love and thoughts go on.” I continue to explore layering the vocals. There are two main musical themes that converge in the ending. In the second theme Alice and I do some “scat” vocals combined with Dudly Ulysses’ driving drums, Tim Breon’s rapid acoustic bass improvisation, and Len Cagle’s jazzy saxophone. A lot is going on, which is challenging and fun. The overall test for me is: does it “swing?” I believe the answer is “yes!”

Love & Thoughts Go On (Dave-vox, synths, Weiler-vox, Cagle-sax, Breon-bass, Ulysse-drum, Jan-vox)

YouTube: https://youtu.be/3FPJf72lx9c Hike in Eldorado Canyon, Colorado!
This original fast-paced performance contains elements of modern jazz, big band, indie rock, and electronic pop. Thanks to "joerxworx" (https://soundcloud.com/joerxworx) on tenor saxophone whose improvisational and tonal skills are clearly demonstrated.

Keep Up (ft. joerxworx - tenor saxophone) Dave - keys, production

Colorado Songwriter, Electronic Musician, Producer. ASCAP member. Ballads, Dance, Rock, Electronica, Jazz, Hip Hop, with a mix of everything else. All original compositions with live artists on most tracks. Piano study began at 5 years old, continued through university study and incorporated with electronic music since the introduction of MIDI. Have taught, consulted and composed electronic music. Primary platform is Pro Tools, with which I also do training and consulting. Open to collaboration. More information at my website.