YouTube clips feature ‘Score and Sound’ or live performances worth listening to.
Here I look at pieces at Grade 3 plus two exciting Grade 5 charts by Mark Taylor.
Happy listening!
Barrie Johnson
Ryan Fraley
Grade 3 Fallingwater (Trombone Ballad) 5.30
A beautiful trombone solo feature where you can combine forces with a string orchestra in this lush work. The string orchestra can easily be replaced or augmented with the included synthesiser part, or the work can be performed with standard big band instrumentation only. The top trumpet/flugel note is F-sharp. A subtle and mature work.
Mark Taylor
A house arranger for Hal Leonard, Mark has produced some masterful compositions and arrangements over the years: always worth a review. Here are new charts by him included for the first time this year.
Grade 3 Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum (Swing) 3:42
From Wayne Shorter's influential 1964 album Speak No Evil, this jazz standard is transformed here for young bands by Mark Taylor. The relaxed swing feel and harmonies of the original are all retained, and solos for alto sax and trumpet are included.
Grade 5 Mokopuni Island (Island Magic) (Afro-Cuban/Swing) 6:00
Reminiscent of the music Mark wrote for the Stan Kenton Orchestra, this fiery showpiece features a churning Afro-Cuban groove alternating with sections in swing. Small group scoring is contrasted with full ensemble passages, and you'll need a few additional percussionists to fill out the Latin sound! Includes solos for alto sax and guitar.
Grade 5 Who Will Buy? (Samba) 6:00
One of the signature songs from Lionel Bart’s musical Oliver, this tune offers a wealth of opportunities for melodic and harmonic development. Adapted here as a samba, Mark’s powerful arrangement opens with a duet for trumpet and alto, followed by featured spots for saxes and solos for alto and trumpet. A nicely crafted full ensemble tutti starts soft and builds dramatically all the way to the end.
Now for three composers from the Kendor/Doug Beach stable who produce charts that are a little bit different and worth exploring. Have a look at these and the access other pieces by them on our Repertoire List.
Tom Garling
Grade 3 Morning Story (Bossa) 6:19
With an infectious bossa-rock groove, hip voicings and a strong melody, this chart is sure to be a hit on any concert. The open solo section (written or ad lib) for Alto Sax and Trumpet provides plenty of space to stretch. Once again, you can access backing tracks for soloists to rehearse with on the Kendor/Doug Beach website.
Andrew Neu
Another composer from the Kendor stable who produces charts that are a little bit different and worth exploring.
Grade 3 My Dear (Alto Sax Ballad/Swing Feature) 5:19
A classic big band alto sax feature, recorded on The Big Band Side Of Andrew Neu: Catwalk featuring Eric Marienthal. Beginning as a jazz ballad, it transitions to a double time swing for the written or ad lib solo section. A great showcase for your alto soloist.
Bret Zvacek
Another composer from the Kendor stable who produces charts that are a little bit different and worth exploring.
Grade 3 Preachin’ To The Choir (Jazz Waltz) 3:03+
A swing chart in 3/4 time is a wonderful vehicle for young musicians to learn about playing a jazz waltz. Great melody, gospel changes and terrific ensemble writing all combine to make this a terrific piece to work on. An open solo section (written or ad lib) features any instrument.