Band Director News March 2010

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SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF NEW ARRANGEMENTS ADDED IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2010:

OLIVER NELSON/THELONIOUS MONK BIG BAND ARRANGEMENTS [AS RECORDED BY THE THELONIOUS MONK BIG BAND / ARRANGED BY OLIVER NELSON]
Here is our series of 6 arrangements that Oliver Nelson composed for the 1968 Monk Big Band album. We have chosen to leave the instrumentation the way Nelson had it (4 reeds, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, guitar, piano, bass, drums); no optional parts have been added. When Nelson arranged these pieces, there were no lead sheets, so Monk played them for the arranger, who took them down. These have been fully edited to ensure complete accuracy.

FLYING HOME [AS RECORDED BY THE TERRY GIBBS DREAM BAND / ARRANGED BY MED FLORY]
Here is Med Flory's great arrangement of the Benny Goodman/Lionel Hampton standard as recorded by the Terry Gibbs Dream band. This was written to feature vibraphonist Terry Gibbs but it also features a trumpet solo. We have also included vibraphone cues on the piano part so in the event that you don't have access to vibes this may be played as a piano feature instead.

JAMBANGLE [RECORDED AND ARRANGED BY GIL EVANS]
Jambangle was one of the earliest compositions by Evans after several years of arranging the music of others. He originally wrote the piece for the Jazz Workshop, led by Hal McKusick. Evans' new version was recorded in 1957 and featured on the 'Gil Evans and Ten' record. The piece is arranged for soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, bassoon, horn in F, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, piano, bass, and drums. This piece can be opened up for more solos, and backgrounds reused at the conductors discretion. Also, we have included a tenor saxophone part as an alternate for the horn and a baritone saxophone part as an alternate for the bassoon. This Jazz Lines edition of Jambangle has been extensively re-edited using a photocopy of the original score in Evans' hand.

ROBBINS' NEST [RECORDED BY CLAUDE THORNHILL / ARRANGED BY GIL EVANS]
If we were asked to name a piece where it seemed like the ensemble was going to explode but never does, we would immediately think of this arrangement. The Thornhill Orchestra was known as an ensemble that featured extreme contrasts in dynamics, from very soft to loud. Although there are some sections of Robbins' Nest that are moderately loud to very loud, the key to the success of this arrangement is softness; the ability to play very relaxed yet softly at the same time, which is seldom asked for in the music many big bands study and play today. This is the perfect piece to practice such an approach. Additionally, some of the voicings are highly dissonant and demand perfect intonation. Grinds of half-steps against each other are an Evans trademark in all his music, from Thornhill to the classic Miles Davis albums Miles Ahead and Porgy and Bess, and musicians must get used to them.

THAT'S ALL [RECORDED BY MICHAEL BUBLE]
Here is Michael Buble's arrangement of That's All from his self-titled CD.

FEVER [RECORDED BY MICHAEL BUBLE]
One of Michael Buble's most popular numbers from his self-titled CD, transcribed by Cy Payne, in the original keys and modulations from C minor up to Eb minor.

FREDDIE FREELOADER [ARRANGED BY LES HOOPER]
Originally recorded on the Miles Davis landmark recording Kind of Blue, here is a swingin' and updated take on this all-time blues favorite. Tasty full ensemble interludes surround solo space for alto sax, trumpet and bass. This chart is a perfect choice for festivals or contests.

WORK SONG [ARRANGED BY PETER BLAIR]
Work Song is one of the best jazz classics ever in a minor key. The original Nat Adderley recording is the starting point for this new arrangement. After the first time through the head (by the trumpets and altos, of course!), the stop time section from the original is used with the harmonized melody. There is a solid shout chorus that leads to a soft ensemble passage before the solo written for alto saxophone.

GROUND HOG [ARRANGED BY DUKE PEARSON]
Here is one of the great charts from the 'Introducing the Duke Pearson Big Band' record from 1967. This is a really laid back and relatively easy chart to play. We've expanded this chart to include an open solo section which was used when the band played this arrangement live. The open section was omitted due to the time constraints of the LP format. The arrangement is graded as medium level as trombone 1 gets to a B flat 4. Otherwise this is an easy arrangement.

MAN IN THE MIRROR [ARRANGED BY PAUL JENNINGS]
Recorded by Michael Jackson, this is one of the signature pop hits of the '80s. Skillfully arranged for young jazz ensemble to feature every section on the melody at some point, this chart will go together quickly and requires no ad lib solos.

Please note that through our sister company School Music Service we provide music of all genres and formats to school districts including symphonic, chamber, choral, sacred, concert band, marching band, and solo works. Click here for a partial list of the publishers that we work with: School Music Service Publishers. We are in the process of building a comprehensive website - stay tuned for details.