Hi Teleplayer.

This version by Bob James and David Sanborn featuring vocals by Al Jarreau should give you some killer jazz phrasing ideas and the vocal melody is much more straightforward and attractive in my humble opinion than most covers I’ve listened to. Regarding jazz guitar solos I’m not sure, but a fixed strategy like hitting 3rds off the chord progression might sound a bit samey after a while? Triad based phrasing might be helpful but use your ear and soak up inspiration from great players. David Sanbourne’s sax solo phrasing is blissful. Good luck!

Hi Teleplayer.

This version by Bob James and David Sanborn featuring vocals by Al Jarreau should give you some killer jazz phrasing ideas and the vocal melody is much more straightforward and attractive in my humble opinion than most covers I’ve listened to. Regarding jazz guitar solos I’m not sure, but a fixed strategy like hitting 3rds off the chord progression might sound a bit samey after a while? Triad based phrasing might be helpful but use your ear and soak up inspiration from great players. David Sanbourne’s sax solo phrasing is blissful. Also Al Jarreau’s vocal riffing is an education for any muso, he goes stratospheric. Good luck! 🙂

Sorry posted twice, wanted to edit and add a comment but got a whole new comment somehow?

Find common notes in the chords as well. For the 1 6 2 5 verse progression you can mess with the pentatonic of the key and make some nice lines.