Opus de Funk (composition)
Composition by Horace Silver
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Opus de Funk" (sometimes "Opus De Funk") is a composition by jazz pianist Horace Silver. The original version, by Silver's trio, was recorded on November 23, 1953.
| "Opus de Funk" | |
|---|---|
| Composition by Horace Silver | |
| from the album Horace Silver Trio, Vol. 2 and Art Blakey – Sabu | |
| Recorded | November 23, 1953 |
| Studio | WOR Studios, New York, U.S. |
| Genre | Jazz |
| Label | Blue Note |
| Composer | Horace Silver |
| Producer | Alfred Lion |
Composition
It is "a typical Silver creation: advanced in its harmonic structure and general approach but with a catchy tune and finger-snapping beat."[1] This was an early use of the word "funk" in a song title.[2] In 2004, Silver reported that "Opus de Funk" was one of only three of his compositions that he did not own the rights to.[3]
Original recording and release
The piece was first recorded on November 23, 1953, by the Horace Silver Trio, of Silver (piano), Percy Heath (bass), and Art Blakey (drums).[4] It was released with other Silver and Blakey recordings as part of the Blue Note Records 10-inch Horace Silver Trio, Vol. 2 and Art Blakey – Sabu, then on the 12-inch Horace Silver Trio and Art Blakey–Sabu. The track was also released as a single around 1954.[5]
Later versions
As of 2014, more than 60 versions of the song have been recorded.[6]