Autumn Walk

A Bb major swing piece at 120 BPM — the signature sound of medium-tempo jazz. The ii-V-I-vi progression (Cm7–F7–Bbmaj7–Gm7) is the most functional harmonic cycle in jazz: it generates tension, release, and forward motion with minimal chord changes. The electric piano melody uses blue-note approach tones (Eb5 sliding to D5 at the open, chromatic approach to G5 in bar 5) that give it the characteristic jazz inflection. The walking bass traces chord tones and chromatic passing notes — the bass 'walks' because it moves steadily on every quarter beat, never resting, pulling the harmony forward. String shell voicings (3rd + 7th only) fill the middle register.