Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Swing - Difficult

Publisher: Jazz at Lincoln Center

The Latin American Suite (1968), which began its life as the Mexican Suite, is a late Ellington masterpiece. This movement which had the working title of Gaye, named after Ellington's granddaughter, is a wonderful confluence of the blues and a Latin American groove. These two elements are not usually associated with each other, so a successful amalgam is especially delightful-like when a chef puts two unlikely ingredients together - say, peanut butter and sardines. You see it on the menu and say to yourself, "This can't be. It's got to taste awful, but this chef is a master. I'd better check it out." And when you do, if the chef is a genius, he has created a universal taste that successfully weds two cultures. Duke Ellington is such a genius and Latin American Sunshine is an example of him being 'beyond category.'

 

 

Full Score
Alto Saxophone
Clarinet
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
5 Trumpets
3 Trombones
Piano
Bass
Drums

Trumpet 1: C6
Trombone 1: C5