Seven of these recordings are compiled into an album, “Big Band 2020”, on Bandcamp. The PayPal buttons are for purchasing the sheet music (score + parts) for each composition ($60).
ARCOLOGY
Fast (q=200), hard swinging modern jazz chart in D minor. There’s a 2-chorus solo in Tenor 1, followed by guitar and piano solos. Bass has some double-stop fifths, and some written solo spots.
Ranges (written): *Trumpet 1 to high E *Trombone 1 to A *Trombone 4 to low D *Altos to high E *Bari to low B.
BADGER’S BREW
Three-versus-two feel (like “Señor Blues”) with minor-11th harmonies and lots of parallel 4ths & 5ths. The melody is played by Trumpet 2, Alto 1, and Tenor 1 in harmony, and each has solo changes in their part.
Ranges (written): *Trumpet 1 to D *Trombone 1 to A *Trombone 4 to low D *Alto 1 to D *Bari to low B.
CAMISA NEGRA
Jazz mambo alto sax feature. Solos for Alto 1 and Trombone 1 (this demo recording is a 10-piece version, and only has the alto solo).
Ranges (written): *Trumpet 1 to E *Trombone 1 to Bb *Trombone 4 to low C *Alto 1 to E *Bari to low A.
THE GOOD LIFE
An upbeat jazz waltz with a lush ballad intro, starting with solo piano, joined by bass, guitar, and tenor at the bridge. The uptempo waltz trades the melody between saxes, trumpets, and trombones, followed by solos for piano, guitar, and soprano sax (in the Alto 1 part).
Ranges (written): *Trumpet 1 to C# *Trombone 1 to G *Trombone 4 to low C *Alto 1 to E *Tenor 1 to D *Bari to low A. Alto 1 doubles on soprano for a solo.
MR. MOTO
Medium tempo Basie -style swinger (q=132). Alternating sections in F and Eb, solos in Trombone 2 and Tenor 1. Optional clarinet solo in Tenor 1.
Ranges (written): *Trumpet 1 to D *Alto 1 to E *Trombone 1&2 to high Bb *Trombone 4 to low Eb *Bari to low A.
Q BALL
Funky like a 60s Quincy Jones TV theme. Starts with solo electric bass, joined by drums and guitar before the full band comes in. Open solo section with changes in Alto 1, Tenor 1, Trumpet 2, Trombone 1.
Ranges (written): *Trumpet 1 to C *Trombone 1 to G *Trombone 4 only down to F *Altos and Bari to E *Bari down to low D *Tenor 1 to C. Optional Trumpet 5 and Trombone 5 parts.
RADIANT MORNING BEAUTY
Lush flugelhorn ballad feature with a double-time feel for the solo section. Guitar takes the bridge of the solo section.
Ranges (written): *Trumpet 1 to G (just above the staff) *Trombone 1 to A *Trombone 4 down to Eb *Bari down to low Bb.
RIGHT ON TIME
A second-line tune that starts with drums laying down the groove. Piano and bass join in and then the horns take the melody. There are open solos over a swing feel (changes in Alto 1, Tenor 1, Trumpet 2, and Trombone 1), continuing for the piano solo. A drum solo (with backgrounds) takes the tune back to a second-line feel, returning to the A section for the ending.
Ranges (written): *Trumpet 1 to D *Trombone 1 to G *Trombone 4 down to low C *Altos to D *Tenors to C.
SAMBA NOVA
Smooth-sounding jazz Bossa Nova that grooves harder for the horn soli and the ending. Solo changes in Trumpet 2, Piano, and Guitar.
Ranges (written): *Trumpet 1 to B *Trombone 1 to G *Trombone 4 down to low D *Altos to high F *Tenors to C# *Bari sax to low B.