Despite not being thought of as much in the great trumpet tradition. Johnny Coles for lack of a better term is still one of the most “romantic” players out there. Nat Hentoff described Coles as “an intensely personal, thoughtful and penetrating player … part of the select lineage of quintessentially lyrical jazz trumpet players…a line of disciplined romantics that includes Miles Davis and Freddie Webster.”

That is exactly what he shows on his most well known album “Little Johnny C." Despite being a Duke Pearson record in disguise as he wrote 5 of the 6 tunes and did all the arrangements, it still Johnny record and gives him plenty of time to shine and explore.

As Duke Pearson would write in the liner notes:
'Johnny Coles is a warm individual with a personal approach to each note or phrase he plays. A painter of very beautiful patterns and after listening to him here, you'll be able to distinguish his style from any of his contemporaries.'

Relating to the beautiful song we have on offer today Pearson would also write:

"So Sweet My Little Girl - Was written for my seven year old daughter, Cynthia, Johnny restricts hiself to solo-melody duties and im given the solo spot to play tribute to my little Cynthia. Johnnys sound here is that of a proud parent serenading his own little daughter.

A song of fatherly love.

Let me know what you think about the piece and leadsheet!

Jake 

Johnny Coles (trumpet) Leo Wright (alto saxophone, flute) Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone) Duke Pearson (piano) Bob Cranshaw (bass) Walter Perkins (drums) recorded Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, Side 1: July 18, 1963;  Side 2: same personnel save Perkins, add Pete La Roca (drums) August 9, 1963