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  • Writer's pictureAnne

Dienda

Updated: Sep 3, 2021

Dienda is one of Kenny Kirkland's most beautiful compositions - one filled with poignancy and depth. It was originally released in 1986 on Branford Marsalis' album Royal Garden Blues and with Kenny playing piano on that recording, the expression is breathtakingly direct. Then in 2001, after Kenny had already passed away, Sting included it in his live recording and film "...All This Time," singing the lyrics that he had composed for the melody. That bittersweet detail would have been the only remembrance for the listeners that day but the concert, happening at a villa in Italy, took place on September 11, 2001, the same day as the World Trade Center disaster so the entire performance understandably took on a much deeper and more sombre tone, with Sting dedicating it to everyone who lost their lives that day.


Here is the original recording with Branford Marsalis:



Here is Sting's performance:


And here is the lead sheet I created for the tune, as well as Sting's complete lyric. I hope all of these details here help to make the appreciation of this masterpiece that much more fulfilling:


Dienda - Concert - Score
.pdf
Download PDF • 72KB
Dienda Lyrics
.pdf
Download PDF • 24KB

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