This chart is based loosely on the famous Beatles tune, but with a significant face lift! Soloists featured are soprano sax (on alto chair) and guitar. Audiences have found this inventive chart to be captivating.
Instrumentation: Alto, Tenor, Baritone, 2 Trumpets, 1 Trombone & Rhythm
Grade Level: Medium – Difficult
An arrangement of John Scofield’s second line style tune that appear on his CD Groove Elation. The ostinato bass line and drum groove keeps this chart moving right along and the horns evoke a modern Gil Evans sound with doubles on alto (flute) and tenor (soprano). The groove works best when the keyboard player uses an organ/synth sound. Extended solo space for guitar, keyboard and horns if desired. The groove might be challenging for some to achieve but the horn parts are not particularly difficult.
Instrumentation: alto/flute, tenor/soprano, bari sax, 2 tpts, T-bone w/plunger, piano (synth preferred), guitar, bass, drums
Grade Level: Medium-Difficult
A MIDI file is the only demo available at this time.
This is a scaled down version of the big band chart that can also be found on Rick Lawn.com (listen to big band chart recorded on Unknown Soldiers by the Third Coast Jazz Orchestra). The chart is essentially the same and serves as a beautiful ballad feature for tenor sax throughout. Alto doubles on flute.
Instrumentation: alto/flute, tenor, bari sax, 2 tpts (dbl flugel), T-bone, piano, guitar, bass, drums
Grade Level: Medium-Difficult
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Rudy Wiedoeft was one of the most important early American saxophonists. Popular during the days of early radio vaudevillian times, Wiedoeft was a widely recognized soloist who created a flashy, virtuosic solo repertoire. He was of significant influence on many early jazz saxophonists, though he was not classified as a jazz player.
Rick Lawn’s fun arrangement of Wiedoeft’s classic Sax-O-Doodle can be purchased here after previewing the recording on Outside the Box and downloading the PDF score.
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As the title implies, this is a laid back soprano feature with added solo space for bass and drums. Bass clarinet is on the usual bari sax chair throughout. A challenging shout chorus is also featured in this introspective original that will make people stop and listen.
Instrumentation: soprano/alto, tenor, bass clarinet, 2 tpts, T-bone, piano, guitar, bass, drums
Grade Level: Medium-Difficult
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Recorded live @ Chris’ Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia.
Those of us from the “Boomer” generation couldn’t get enough of Carole King’s Tapestry album (there…I’m dating myself!). I couldn’t resist the temptation to take a second look at the title tune from this landmark recording, giving it a fresh new sound. Ample solo space is provided for piano, guitar, and choices between trumpet, alto and tenor.
This arrangement of Gerry Niewood’s tribute to Coltrane and his modal style features an alto (or tenor) soloist in addition to a full sax section. Other soloists could include trombone or rhythm. The bass clarinet double on bari chair is optional. Tempo is somewhat flexible and the demo recording is a bit fast. The chart is as much a tribute to Gerry, who passed away tragically in a plane crash outside Buffalo, NY in 2009, as it is Gerry’s homage to John Coltrane. It was recorded on his first solo album.
Instrumentation: 5/4/4/4 (alto 2 and tenor 2 dbl on flute; bari dbls. bs. clar.)
Grade Level: Medium-Difficult
A Rick Lawn.Com Exclusive Coming Soon!
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This original composed for the Power of Ten starts with a strong chromatic intro featuring guitar soloing over top of the ensemble. Once things settle down, the chart becomes a moody straight ahead tune with numerous dynamic contrasts, and occasional reoccuring Latin sections with a 12/8-feel. Solos can be for guitar/piano, trumpet, tenor, and drums – in other words lots of flexibility.
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Instrumentation: Alto,Ten,Bari, 2 Trumpets, 1 Trombone & Rhythm
Grade Level: Medium – Difficult
Play Never Too Late
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