Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Swing - Advanced

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

The Gershwin Brothers' Strike Up the Band has long been used as a flag-waver for big bands of all styles and generations. That being said, it should come as no surprise that Rob McConnell's arrangement manages to turn the time-honored tune inside-out and back again, several times over. It's a demanding blow, both physically and mentally, but one that rewards the effort it will take to put it all together. This was recorded in 1992 and released on the Brassy and Sassy album.

Beginning with a mournful chorale, McConnell leads the 'parade' at first before yielding the baton to a sax solo. A minor atonal interlude leads into a quick tease of the brisk tempo that will make up much of the remainder of the performance before suddenly dropping down to a bluesy, half-time swing at measure 26. The ensemble gets to flex its muscles (including some screaming trumpet at measure 50) before launching into a tenor sax solo at measure 58.

Once the tenor has wrapped up, the tempo abruptly jerks back to a fast swing for the first of three successive trumpet solos. These trumpet solos are broken up by short ensemble interludes that feature just about every type of tempo/time feel combination one can think of, so make sure everyone remains focused and vigilant in observing them. After the trumpets have all said their piece, the ensemble roars atop a hard-swinging double time feel in the rhythm section before sharply dropping off to the rubato dirge of the beginning, wrapping the performance up with the same quick-time tease as before.

This publication was prepared from Rob McConnell's original pencil score and the set of parts used for the recording session - this is not a transcription. See the Contents tab for details on the woodwind doubles.

Full Score
Woodwind 1: Alto Sax/Soprano Sax/Flute
Woodwind 2: Alto Sax/Flute
Woodwind 3: Tenor Sax/Flute
Woodwind 4: Tenor Sax
Woodwind 5: Baritone Sax/Flute
5 Trumpets
2 Horns in F
4 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Percussion: Xylophone/Congas
Drum Set

Trumpet 1: A6 (opt. C7)
Trumpet 3: Db6
Trumpet 5: D6
Trombone 1: A4