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The Friar and Dr Goulding
Big Band (15-piece) 5 Saxes - 4 Trumpets - 3 Trombones - 3 Rhythm
This is a tune I wrote for the HERB POMEROY ORCHESTRA and which Herb recorded on his Band in Boston album. It’s a good chart for professional musicians and will also provide a stimulating challenge to higher level college ensembles.
Key Signature: F
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ca. 175
Top 1st Tpt Note: Written E (above staff)
Solos: Trumpet 2, Piano, Alto 2
Moody Street
Big Band (15-piece) 5 Saxes - 4 Trumpets - 3 Trombones - 3 Rhythm
This Joe Ciavardone tune is loosely based on the chord changes to Duke Ellington’s “In A Mellow Tone”. The arrangement is a tasteful crowd-pleaser which the band enjoys playing. It contains a fairly adventurous, but conquerable, sax soli. Check out Dick Johnson's recording of this on Star Dust & Beyond: A Tribute to Artie Shaw.
Key Signature: B-Flat
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ca. 136
Top 1st Tpt Note: High E
Solos: Trumpet 3, Tenor 1, Piano, Trombone 2
And We Listened (Pro)
Big Band (16-piece) 5 Saxes - 4 Trumpets - 4 Trombones - 3 Rhythm
This is the full version as recorded by Maynard Ferguson on his album A Message From Newport (Roulette.) Maynard’s opening melody (unison with the alto) and his jazz are in the 4th trumpet part, but his lead over the final shout section is in the 1st trumpet chair.
Key Signature: F, B-Flat
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ca. 112
Top 1st Tpt Note: Written High G
(2nd Tpt has written High E)
Solos: Alto 1, Trumpet 4
More Than Four
Big Band (17-piece) 5 Saxes - 4 Trumpets - 4 Trombones - 4 Rhythm
Alto 1 doubles on Soprano
This piece is derived from the 4th movement of Mozart’s 13th String Quartet. The marvelous chromaticism and contrapuntal interplay lend them themselves beautifully to this adaptation. It begins as an exact transcription of the quartet and grows organically into variations which I imagine the composer might appreciate.
Key Signature: D minor, B-Flat minor, E minor
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ca. 120
Top 1st Tpt Note: Written High F
Solos: Piano, Trumpet 3
New Tune
Big Band (15-piece) 5 Saxes - 4 Trumpets - 3 Trombones - 3 Rhythm
Five minutes of high-energy extroversion - but not without its subtleties. This piece presents a number of challenges but the outcome should be worth the effort.
Key Signature: G, A-Flat and C
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ca. 179
Top 1st Tpt Note: Written High C-Sharp
Solos: Trombone 1, Alto 2, Trumpet 2, Bari Sax, Tenor 1 and Piano
Sweet Emma
Big Band (16-piece) 5 Saxes - 4 Trumpets - 4 Trombones - 3 Rhythm
Nat Adderley composed this tune as a tribute to the revered New Orleans pianist, “Sweet Emma” Barrett. This big band treatment retains the feel that was established in the original recording by the Cannonball Adderley Quintet. At the same time it takes advantage of the added strength and textures made possible by the increased instrumentation.
Key Signature: B-flat and C
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ca. 104
Top 1st Tpt Note: Written E above the staff
Solos: Tenor 1, Trumpet 3 and Bari Sax
Woody's Mood
Big Band (15-piece) 5 Saxes - 4 Trumpets - 3 Trombones - 3 Rhythm
Alto, 3 Tenors, Bari
I wrote this piece to typify the lighthearted sound and feel of the Woody Herman band when guys like Ralph Burns, Al Cohn, Jimmy Giuffre and Shorty Rogers were contributing to the book. Note the sax section: Alto, 3 Tenors & Bari. The form of the tune is unusual (9-bar A section, 12-bar A section, 8-bar bridge, 13-bar A section) yet when it’s played it sounds completely natural.
Key Signature: B-flat, E-flat, A-flat
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ca. 145
Top 1st Tpt Note: written D above the staff
Solos: Tenor 1, Bone 1, Piano
U.M.M.G. (Upper Manhattan Medical Group)
Big Band (12-piece) 4 Saxes (ATTB) - 3 Trumpets - 2 Trombones - 3 Rhythm
Strayhorn’s composition has long been treasured by jazz musicians but is virtually unknown to the general public. This arrangement strives to keep it within a style that might be considered “Strayhornian”.
Key Signature: D-Flat
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ca. 180
Top 1st Tpt Note: Written E-Flat above High C
Solos: Trumpet 2, Bari Sax
What Am I Here For
Big Band (12-piece) 4 Saxes (ATTB) - 3 Trumpets - 2 Trombones - 3 Rhythm
This Duke Ellington tune is an arranger’s dream because of the synergistic relationship between melody and harmony. This chart preserves the original feel of the song while giving it a couple of unique twists. It works as well for dancing as it does in a concert setting.
Key Signature: E-Flat, C, G, A-Flat
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ca. 101
Top 1st Tpt Note: Written D-Flat above High C
Solos: Tenor 2, Trumpet 3, Trombone 1, Bass
I’ll Remember April
Big Band (12-piece) 4 Saxes (ATTB) - 3 Trumpets - 2 Trombones - 3 Rhythm
Many songs that have become jazz standards were not written for that noble purpose. I’ll Remember April had its debut in a 1942 Abbott and Costello movie called Ride ‘em Cowboy. This arrangement will not conjure up any memories of the film. I’ve taken a few duly respectful liberties with the melody and the rich harmonic landscape offers some interesting romping room for the soloists.
Key Signature: G
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ca. 224
Top 1st Tpt Note: Written E above High C
Solos: Trpt 2, Trpt 3, Bari, Alto, Tenor 1, Tenor 2
That's A-Plenty
Big Band (12-piece) 4 Saxes (SATB) - 3 Trumpets - 2 Trombones - 3 Rhythm
(Saxes are Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bari)
Ben Pollack’s multi-theme tune was a huge hit in the Dixieland and Chicago jazz eras and maintained its currency through the 1940’s and ‘50’s. This arrangement could be called an impressionistic 21st century reincarnation of the piece. The coda is a 48-bar five-part invention which builds to a very satisfying big-bang ending.
Key Signature: Dmin, F, B-Flat, Cmin, E-Flat, Fmin, Dmin
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ca. 211
Top 1st Tpt Note: Written F Above High C (a couple F#’s in last bar)
Solos: Tenor 1, Alto, Piano