Airegin (song)

"Airegin" is a jazz standard composed by American jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins in 1954.

Recording History
"Airegin" was first recorded in 1954 by the Miles Davis Quintet and released in the US on the 10" LP "Miles Davis Quintet". Personnel on that recording included Miles Davis (trumpet), Sonny Rollins (tenor saxophone), Horace Silver (piano), Percy Heath (bass), and Kenny Clarke (drums).

It was recorded again by Miles' Quintet in 1956 on their album Cookin' with The Miles Davis Quintet. Guitarist Wes Montgomery released a version in 1960 on his album The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery (also with Percy Heath on bass). Jazz guitarist Grant Green released a version on his album "Nigeria", which was recorded in 1962 but not released until 1980.

A version with lyrics composed by Jon Hendricks appeared on the 1958 Lambert, Hendricks & Ross album The Swingers! and the 1985 Manhattan Transfer album Vocalese. It was also covered by Hubert Laws, featuring legendary session drummer Steve Gadd playing a very fast samba pattern behind Laws' piccolo. Maynard Ferguson recorded this composition twice: first, a version where he played an overdubbed three-way solo with himself on his 1964 album Color Him Wild, and second, on his 1977 release, New Vintage. An organ-driven hard bop version was recorded by Sonny Stitt and Don Patterson on their 1969 Prestige album Funk You!.

Origin of the Title
"Airegin" is Nigeria spelled backwards.

Analysis
It is considered a challenging number due to its fast tempo and complex changes.