Transitioning between soloists is one of the most important parts of keeping the momentum of a song alive. In my first transitions post I discussed the basic choice of every transition, whether to emphasize or de-emphasize it. This choice gives you two distinct approaches for dealing with this particular transition. Either you can try to carry the energy and mood of one solo into the next, de-emphasizing the transition by making it smooth, or you can create dramatic contrast between one solo and the next, thereby emphasizing the transition. Both approaches can be effective, it is just a matter of finding the appropriate time to use them based on where you feel the music is going.
1. The Smooth Transition
The main danger of this kind of transition is that the music will get monotonous. If there is not enough contrast in the music, you will lose your audience. That being said, this type of transition can also lead to some of the most exciting and uplifting musical exchanges.
One of my all time favorite examples of this type of smooth transition is on the album "Live At Birdland" going from McCoy Tyner's solo to John Coltrane's on the tune "Afro Blue" (around 4:50):
