Jazz Publications
Compositions and Arrangements for Jazz Ensemble and Saxophone Sextet
Jazz Ensemble
(8 Brass) Composed for the Eastman Jazz Ensemble, Googley Moogley won the 1996 Downbeat Magazine Award for Best Arrangement. Equal parts jazz, cartoon and film music ending in a down-home shuffle. Solos for lead alto and 2nd Trombone. 5 saxes (AATTBB), 8 Brass, 5 rhythm (guitar, piano, bass, percussion and drums).
Deep Focus for jazz ensemble
This is a straight-eighth modern groove composition alternating between 7/4 and 4/4 sections. The title was inspired by the technique in Citizen Kane where objects in the foreground and background are clearly seen. It also refers to its unusual form in that a new section is added with each repetition. There is a solo for the Tenor 1. A small group recording is available on Connections. 5 saxes (AATTB), 8 Brass, 4 Rhythm.
Misfit The Second for jazz ensemble
This original composition was written for the Johns Hopkins University Jazz Ensemble. A challenging and intense work, it includes aleatoric sections based on Morse code, a fast 3/4 section with occasional 2/4's and an open pedal point blowing section. Solos for 2nd trumpet (opt. flugelhorn) and 1st Tenor. 5 saxes (AATTB), 8 Brass, 4 Rhythm. A small group recording is available on Connections.
No Blues On Mars (It's All Red)
(8 Brass) Composed for the Johns Hopkins University Jazz Ensemble, this composition begins as a gentle "Martian" tango featuring a sentimental melody in the soprano saxophone. The baritone saxophone is then featured in a duet with the drums. An open blowing section follows where the performers are encouraged to create their own backgrounds or collectively improvise. Scales and chords are provided in every part. Afterwards, a fast section commences with fleeting references to Beautiful Dreamer leading to a 14-bar minor blues featuring the guitar. The chart concludes with a brief return to the opening tango. 5 Saxes (SATTB), 8 Brass, 4 Rhythm.
Saxophone Sextets
Baltimore Todolo for Saxophone Sextet
As a pianist, composer, and lyricist, Eubie Blake made major contributions to stride piano, jazz, and musical theater. In performance, he was well-known to make unexpected twists and turns, suddenly changing tempo in the middle of a phrase before returning to the original course heading. This arrangement endeavors to capture the spirit of Blake’s adventurous side through a more contemporary point of view. It's immensely fun to rehearse and perform and makes an excellent closer. Originally performed by the UMBC Saxophone Ensemble, it is suitable for high school, university, and professional ensembles. Performance notes are included. Listen on YouTube.
Spain for Saxophone Sextet
Spain is probably Chick Corea’s (1941 – 2021) best known composition. Its unusual phrase lengths, extended structure, and well-known refrain make it an exciting piece to perform. This arrangement is an exciting rendition of this well-known composition in its original key and very fun to play. It includes short improvised solos for every instrument (written solos included) and a soli section. It is suitable for advanced high school through professional ensembles. Performance notes are included. Listen on YouTube.
Struttin’ With Some Barbecue for Saxophone Sextet
Composed by Lil Hardin Armstrong (1898 – 1971) and made famous by Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five, Struttin’ With Some Barbecue has become a standard of the early jazz repertoire. Lil Hardin Armstrong was a gifted composer, pianist, and promoter whose contributions to jazz should be more widely known and celebrated. This arrangement is a modern re-imagining of the original using a chromatic, funky riff and modal harmonies. It's a groovy chart that's fun to play for advanced high school through professional ensembles. Performance notes are included. Listen on YouTube.
U.M.M.G. for Saxophone Sextet
Upper Manhattan Medical Group (U.M.M.G) was composed by Billy Strayhorn for his personal physician and friend, Dr. Arthur Logan. It’s wide-angled melody, swinging rhythms, and harmonic ambiguity make it an inspiring piece to perform. This arrangement for saxophone sextet (SAATTBari) is suitable for advanced high school through professional ensembles. A creative arrangement in a mid-tempo swing, it features an improvised solo for the alto saxophone (optional written solo included) and a soli section. Performance notes included. Listen on YouTube.