“Boplicity” is a composition credited to “Cleo Henry,” a pseudonym for Miles Davis (using his mother’s name), with an arrangement by Gil Evans. It was recorded in 1949 for the sessions later released as Birth of the Cool. It’s a defining piece of cool jazz, with smooth, interwoven lines and a relaxed swing.
The form is a 32-bar AABA, usually in F major. The A sections move through ii-V progressions and chromatic passing chords, while the bridge provides contrast with movement to other key areas. The harmony is sophisticated but flows naturally, and the melody has a lyrical, conversational quality.
For improvisation, play in a cool, relaxed style: smooth eighth notes, medium dynamics and clear melodic ideas. Use guide tones to outline the ii-Vs and focus on long, connected phrases. Miles’s solo on the original is a model of understated elegance.
Practice by listening to the Birth of the Cool recording and learning the melody by ear. Then play the changes slowly with guide tones and arpeggios. Arrangers should study Gil Evans’s voicings for the nonet.
Arrangement idea: if you have three or more horns, voice the melody in close harmony like Gil Evans did, with a baritone or trombone on the bottom. For a smaller group, have trumpet and alto play the melody in unison with soft attacks. Keep the drums on brushes to match the cool, relaxed sound of the Birth of the Cool era.
How to use this Boplicity Lead Sheet PDF: print it or keep it on a tablet, mark the form sections and key centers in pencil, and write the guide tones you want to target above the tricky bars. Revisit those notes after each practice session so the tune gets easier every week.
Is it hard to play? It’s intermediate. Recordings to study: Birth of the Cool. Learn more about the arranger on Gil Evans’s Wikipedia page, and find more cool jazz lead sheets on Minedit.