Chameleon (composition)

"Chameleon" is a jazz standard composed by Herbie Hancock in collaboration with Bennie Maupin, Paul Jackson and Harvey Mason,[1] all of whom also performed the original 15:44 full-length version on the 1973 album Head Hunters featuring solos by Hancock and Maupin. The 9:41 edit omits an out-of-tune segment, features a new bassline added in at around 6:40 and new instruments added in post-production.

The song has a characteristic bass line and is set to a funk beat. For the most part, it is built entirely on a two-chord vamp: a I-IV in B♭ Dorian (B♭m7 and E♭7).[2] The piece's signature 12-note bass line was played by Hancock on an ARP Odyssey,[3][4] as was one of the keyboard solos. The other keyboard solo was played on a Fender/Rhodes piano.

The piece is one of the most widely recognized jazz standards, and has become standard repertoire in many small jazz ensembles. It has been performed by artists including Maceo Parker, Buddy Rich, Stanley Jordan, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Maynard Ferguson, Eddie Jefferson, Gov't Mule, Jazz Warriors, Monty Alexander with Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare, Michał Urbaniak, The String Cheese Incident, Umphrey's McGee, James Morrison and many others.

References
  1. "Jaime David Vazquez Bass Lines: Herbie Hancock - "Chameleon" vs "Watermelon Man" - Bass Musician Magazine, The Face of Bass". bassmusicianmagazine.com. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
  2. "Deconstructing the bassline in Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon"". The Ethan Hein Blog. 2017-02-17. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
  3. synthhead (2015-04-21). "The Iconic Sounds Of Synthesis: Herbie Hancock's Chameleon Bassline". Synthtopia. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
  4. "The Art of Synth Soloing: Mr. Hands Himself, Herbie Hancock". KeyboardMag. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
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