"In the Sign of Libra" is an original composition by Dusko Goykovich, the Serbian-born trumpeter and composer who established himself as one of Europe's most celebrated jazz artists. After stints with Maynard Ferguson's and Woody Herman's big bands in the 1960s, Goykovich built a prolific career blending post-bop with Balkan folk influences.
The piece is a contemplative ballad that showcases the composer's lyrical approach to melody. Played with open horn, Goykovich's warm, singing tone carries a distinctly Eastern European melancholy through a harmonically rich progression. The tune reflects the signature Goykovich aesthetic—melding modal jazz sensibilities with folk-inflected phrasing—and offers generous space for expressive improvisation within its reflective framework.
Notable recordings include the quartet version on Good Old Days (1996), recorded in Tokyo with Yutaka Shiina on piano, Shin Kamimura on bass, and Masahiko Osaka on drums. An equally compelling rendition appears on Bebop City (1995), featuring an all-star quintet with Kenny Barron on piano, Abraham Burton on alto sax, Ray Drummond on bass, and Alvin Queen on drums.
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