November 2010 Band Director News

Hello Jazz Band Directors!

In the last month we've been focusing on publishing the arrangements that were written for Charlie Parker's Studio Ensemble. Also known as Bird with Strings, this touring ensemble did recording sessions in 1949 and 1950 that are now legendary. In addition, they toured througout the Midwest and Northeast leaving behind only a few famous live recordings from Birdland, Carnegie Hall, the Apollo Theater, and perhaps a slightly less famous recording from The Rockland Palace Ballroom. As this was a touring ensemble, Charlie Parker needed to assemble a book of charts from which to draw from. He had several arrangers submit charts including Jimmy Carroll, Joe Lippman, Gerry Mulligan, Neal Hefti, and George Russell as well. Only about half of the arrangements were officially recorded and many went uplayed, including George Russell's arrangement of Ezz-Thetic. Below we announce the release of several that were recorded in the studio as well as two that were only recorded live: What Is This Thing Called Love (Carroll) and Gold Rush (Mulligan).

In addition to the Charlie Parker with Strings arrangements we have also been working on releasing more Mary Lou Williams compositions. This month we released Camel Hop. This arrangement was written in 1937 as a theme song for Benny Goodman's radio show, sponsored by Camel Cigarettes. We are currently working on editing Mary's famous chamber work 'Zodiac Suite' and look towards a winter release of that work.

With the holidays and accompanying concerts looming we'd like to mention a few suggestions to fill out your programming. You've probably heard about the release of Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington's Nutcracker. We always keep copies of this monumental work in stock and ready to ship. Also popular are: Baby It's Cold Outside, Santa Baby, Jingle Bells (versions by Count Basie, The Andrews Sisters, and Diana Krall), Home for the Holidays, What Are You Doing New Year's Eve, Mele Kalikimaka, Here Comes Santa Claus, I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, and Let It Snow. And, who can close-out a new year's performance without Auld Lang Syne?

In addition to the new arrangements we have to offer, we also have a few new DVDs and books we'd like to point out. We have new live DVDs from Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Frank Zappa, Tito Puente and Della Reese, and several new multi-DVD/CD packages which offer complete courses on learning guitar, piano, and drums. We also recommend early November's best, which included the Frank Sinatra Concert Collection of DVDs, and rare vintage live DVDs from Chet Baker, John Lewis and the Modern Jazz Quartet, and the Giants of Jazz with Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie and Sonny Stitt.

In the book department, we have a great new volume exploring the Gershwins' Porgy and Bess as that classic work turns 75; there are two brand new Paquito D'Rivera play-alongs from Hal Leonard, featuring Brazilian Jazz and Latin Jazz; Advance Music's Rhythmic Reading for Drummers; Jamey Aebersold's Shortcut to Jazz: Essential Jazz Licks; and Mel Bay's Drum Fills: The Basics and Beyond. Early November's highlights were Bebop Jazz Guitar, Jazz Drumming Essentials and More, and Bob Cranshaw Blues Bass Lines.

Best Regards,
Rob and Doug
www.ejazzlines.com

Some highlights of new arrangements added in November 2010 and October 2010:

GOLD RUSH (1950) [RECORDED BY CHARLIE PARKER/ ARRANGED BY GERRY MULLIGAN]
This arrangement was written by Gerry Mulligan but only recorded on one occasion in 1952. Features alto sax with oboe, 3 violins, viola, cello, harp, guitar, piano, bass, and drums.

I'M IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (1950) [RECORDED BY CHARLIE PARKER / ARRANGED BY JOE LIPPMAN]
Recorded in 1950 and features solo alto sax with oboe, French horn, 4 violins, 2 violas, cello, harp, guitar, piano, bass, and drums.

LAURA (1950) [RECORDED BY CHARLIE PARKER / ARRANGED BY JOE LIPPMAN]
Recorded in 1950 and features solo alto sax with oboe, French horn, 4 violins, 2 violas, cello, harp, guitar, piano, bass, and drums.

REPETITION (1950) [RECORDED BY CHARLIE PARKER/ ARRANGED BY NEAL HEFTI]
Neal Hefti contributed this chart for the Charlie Parker with Strings book. It was a modified version of the arrangement that Parker had recorded earlier with Hefti's group. Solo alto sax with oboe, 3 violins, viola, cello, harp, guitar, piano, bass, and drums.

SUMMERTIME (1949) [RECORDED BY CHARLIE PARKER / ARRANGED BY JIMMY CARROLL]
Arranged in 1949 by Jimmy Carroll, this arrangement was recorded during the first studio session. Solo alto sax with oboe, 3 violins, viola, cello, harp, guitar, piano, bass, and drums.

THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME (1950) [RECORDED BY CHARLIE PARKER / ARRANGED BY JOE LIPPMAN]
Recorded in 1950 and features solo alto sax with oboe, French horn, 4 violins, 2 violas, cello, harp, guitar, piano, bass, and drums.

WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED LOVE (1949) [ARRANGED BY GIL EVANS]
This was written by Jimmy Carroll in 1949 for the first studio session but was not recorded. It was 'officially' recorded live at Carnegie Hall in 1950. Solo alto sax with oboe, 3 violins, viola, cello, harp, guitar, piano, bass, and drums.

CAMEL HOP (1937) [RECORDED BY BENNY GOODMAN / ARRANGED BY MARY LOU WILLIAMS]
In 1937 Benny Goodman had a radio show that was sponsored by Camel Cigarettes so Mary Lou wrote this arrangement of 'Camel Hop' for him to use as a theme song. The arrangement was recorded several times on the radio and in live performances in 1937.

FOR ALL WE KNOW [RECORDED BY CARMEN McRAE / ARRANGED BY JOHN CLAYTON]
As performed by Carmen McRae (including the spoken intro), here is John Clayton's sensitive and gorgeous version of For All We Know. The rich ensemble accompaniment is as much a part of the arrangement as the vocal solo. (Requires woodwind doubles on flute, clarinets and bass clarinet).

PASSINGS [ARRANGED BY DAVE LIEBMAN]
This expressive work in three movements calls for an improvisatory approach. Scored for oboe, soprano saxophone, viola and cello, the writing features a mix of solo, duet and tutti textures, and calls for players with proficient technical and interpretative skills.

SINCE I FELL FOR YOU [ARRANGED BY JOHN CLAYTON]
Recorded on the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra CD 'Explosive!,' this dynamic and swingin' setting of the standard was designed to showcase master vibraphonist Milt Jackson. Also featured is solo space for tenor sax and piano, plus strategically positioned explosive support from the full ensemble.

SPAIN [ARRANGED BY JOHN LA BARBERA]
John La Barbera has taken his well-known version of Chick Corea's Spain and done a great job of adapting it for the small band format. Certainly an exciting offering for mature players in an arrangement for six horns plus rhythm.

TIGER OF SAN PEDRO [ARRANGED BY JOHN LA BARBERA]
Originally recorded by the Bill Watrous big band back in the '70s, John La Barbera brings us this sizzling version of his classic samba-style composition adapted for six horns.