Check out this beautiful video of Seamus Blake playing Body and Soul Solo.

Ever since Coleman Hawkins’ masterful interpretation in 1939, Body and Soul has become the quintessential tenor ballad, played by everyone from John Coltrane to Dexter Gordon.

Seamus Blake adds himself to this esteemed company with this wonderful solo version, recorded at a workshop at the 33rd Annual International Saxophone Symposium in Fairfax, VA (1/16/10).

This is an absolute masterclass in both saxophone technique and tone, but also warmth and lyricism, as Blake references all that came before while putting his own spin on an old classic.

Check out Seamus’ website here.