
The Chicken, originally composed by Pee Wee Ellis, gained greater exposure with versions by jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius. Pastorius' version of the song features a tenor sax solo. The tenor saxophone part was played by Bob Mintzer in Pastorius' 1983 live album Invitation, recorded in Japan. Sheet music for the tenor sax part is available online.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the tune | The Chicken |
| Genre | Instrumental funk |
| Composed by | Pee Wee Ellis |
| Version | Jaco Pastorius' version includes tenor saxophone |
| Other instruments in Jaco Pastorius' version | Soprano, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Bass Trombone, French Horn |
| Other versions | Maceo Parker's version includes Pee Wee Ellis on tenor sax |
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What You'll Learn

Alex Foster played tenor saxophone on 'The Chicken'
"The Chicken" is an instrumental funk tune composed by Pee Wee Ellis. It was originally the B-side to James Brown's 1969 single "The Popcorn". The tune gained greater exposure with versions by jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius.
Alex Foster played tenor saxophone on Jaco Pastorius' version of "The Chicken". Pastorius' version also featured Mario Cruz on soprano and alto saxophone, Randy Emerick on baritone saxophone, and Bill Reichenbach and Peter Graves on bass trombone.
Pastorius' version of "The Chicken" is known for its energy and excitement and has become a jazz-funk standard. It showcases the tenor saxophone, with a written solo provided, as well as an optional guitar solo and a solo bass line.
The sheet music for the tenor saxophone part on Pastorius' version of "The Chicken" is available for digital download from several sources. These sources include Sheet Music Plus, which offers downloadable sheet music files that can be viewed and printed from any device.
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Mario Cruz played tenor saxophone on 'The Chicken'
"The Chicken" is an instrumental funk tune composed by Pee Wee Ellis and originally released as the B-side to James Brown's 1969 single "The Popcorn". The tune gained greater exposure with versions by jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius.
One of the versions by Jaco Pastorius is the "Soul Intro / The Chicken", in which Mario Cruz played the tenor saxophone. Other musicians on this version include Alex Foster, who also played the tenor saxophone, Randy Emerick on the baritone saxophone, and Bill Reichenbach and Peter Graves on the bass trombone.
Jaco Pastorius also recorded a studio version of "The Chicken" with John Scofield and Kenwood Dennard on Modern Electric Bass educational VHD in 1985 and DVD in 2002. Another version was recorded live in Japan in 1983 with a big band that included Bob Mintzer on the saxophone, although it is unclear from my sources whether he played the tenor saxophone or another type.
Sheet music for tenor saxophone for "The Chicken" by Jaco Pastorius is available for digital download from several websites.
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Bob Mintzer played tenor saxophone on Pastorius' live album
Bob Mintzer played tenor saxophone on Jaco Pastorius' live album, which was recorded in Japan in 1983. The album features a performance of "The Chicken," an instrumental funk tune composed by Pee Wee Ellis and popularised by Pastorius.
Pastorius' version of "The Chicken" has become a jazz-funk standard, with various musicians covering the song. The live album also included performances by Randy Brecker (trumpet), Othello Molineaux (steel pans), Peter Erskine (drums), and Don Alias (percussion).
Mintzer is a renowned saxophonist and composer who has performed with various notable musicians and ensembles, including the Yellowjackets and the GRP All-Star Big Band. He has also released numerous solo albums and is known for his contributions to jazz education.
Pastorius, on the other hand, was an influential jazz bassist and composer known for his innovative playing style and harmonic concepts. He is considered one of the greatest bass players in history and has influenced countless musicians worldwide.
The collaboration between Mintzer and Pastorius on "The Chicken" is a testament to their musical prowess and versatility. The live performance showcases their improvisational skills and ability to engage and excite audiences. Mintzer's tenor saxophone solo on the track is a highlight, showcasing his technical mastery and creative phrasing.
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Pee Wee Ellis composed 'The Chicken'
"The Chicken" is an instrumental funk tune composed and written by Pee Wee Ellis. It was originally released as the B-side to James Brown's 1969 single "The Popcorn". The tune gained greater popularity through versions by jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius, who played tenor saxophone on his version of the song. Pastorius' rendition of "The Chicken" has since become a jazz-funk standard, with various musicians covering the song.
Pee Wee Ellis' composition "The Chicken" has become a well-known and beloved instrumental funk tune. The song gained initial exposure as the B-side to James Brown's single "The Popcorn" in 1969. Ellis' composition showcased his talent and contributed to the song's enduring popularity.
Jaco Pastorius, a renowned jazz bassist, played a significant role in bringing "The Chicken" to a wider audience. Pastorius performed the song with his unique style and interpretation, often collaborating with other talented musicians. Pastorius' version of "The Chicken" became a staple in the jazz-funk genre and inspired numerous renditions by other artists.
Pastorius' version of "The Chicken" featured a talented group of musicians. In his rendition, recorded live in Japan in 1983 and released on the album "Invitation," Pastorius was joined by Bob Mintzer on tenor saxophone, Randy Brecker on trumpet, Othello Molineaux on steel pans, Peter Erskine on drums, and Don Alias on percussion. This particular performance showcased the exceptional skills of the musicians involved, contributing to the enduring popularity of Pee Wee Ellis' composition.
The impact of Pee Wee Ellis' composition "The Chicken" extends beyond its initial release. Over the years, the song has been covered and reinterpreted by numerous musicians, each bringing their unique style and interpretation. One notable version is by Maceo Parker, who included "The Chicken" on his album "Mo' Roots" released in 1991. Parker's rendition featured Pee Wee Ellis on tenor saxophone, showcasing Ellis' continued involvement with the song he composed.
In conclusion, Pee Wee Ellis' composition "The Chicken" has left a lasting impact on the musical landscape. The instrumental funk tune, initially released as the B-side to James Brown's single, gained greater exposure through Jaco Pastorius' interpretation and has since become a jazz-funk standard. The song's enduring popularity and the numerous renditions it has inspired are a testament to the power of Ellis' composition and the talent of the musicians who have interpreted it.
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Sheet music for tenor saxophone is available for 'The Chicken'
"The Chicken" is an instrumental funk tune composed by Pee Wee Ellis and released as the B-side to James Brown's 1969 single "The Popcorn". The tune gained greater exposure with versions by jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius.
Sheet music for tenor saxophone is available for "The Chicken". While the original recording of "The Chicken" did not feature any tenor saxophone players, subsequent renditions have included tenor saxophonists such as Alex Foster and Pee Wee Ellis. One such arrangement includes the Terry Rendall "Chicken Dance" Sheet Music for tenor saxophone solo in G Major. This sheet music can be downloaded and printed from websites such as musicnotes.com.
The sheet music is administered by Hal Leonard Music Publishing and is available for purchase for around $3. It includes a high-res PDF download in the original published key. The Musicnotes mobile app also offers powerful playback and practice tools for those who wish to learn the piece.
In addition to the sheet music, tenor saxophone players can also refer to recordings of live performances and albums featuring "The Chicken". For example, the album "Modern Electric Bass" features a studio version by Jaco Pastorius, John Scofield, and Kenwood Dennard, while the album "Invitation" includes a live recording from Japan with a big band that included Bob Mintzer on tenor saxophone.
By accessing the sheet music and listening to various interpretations of "The Chicken", tenor saxophone players can gain a deeper understanding of the piece and develop their own unique rendition.
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Frequently asked questions
Bob Mintzer played tenor sax on Jaco Pastorius's version of "The Chicken".
"The Chicken" was composed by Pee Wee Ellis and was initially released as the B-side to James Brown's 1969 single "The Popcorn".
Jaco Pastorius's version of "The Chicken" was released on the 1983 album "Invitation", recorded live in Japan.











































