Recordings

Rapsodie for Saxophone (arr. for quartet)

May 27, 2009 – 2:48 am

Greg Knapp’s stunning transcription and arrangement of Claude Debussy’s work composed for saxophone soloist and orchestra is far more exciting than the original, often criticized as an uninspired effort. This arrangement was informed by original orchestral recordings and the unorchestrated piano/soloist score. The orchestral reduction that includes significant soloist passages pushes the skills of the quartet to its limits both technically and musically. The work was recorded by the Nova Saxophone Quartet on their InNOVAtions recording available in digital download format from Cd Baby.

Instrumentation: SATB
Grade Level: Difficult

A RickLawn.Com Exclusive!!

Buy now for $40.00

(misc-008)This arrangement will be available soon in manuscript form.


Donna Lee

February 16, 2009 – 12:54 am

Featuring a Super Sax style sax soli based on Charlie Parker’s classic improvised solo, this chart is a challenging crowd pleaser and worth the effort. A piano/guitar solo is also featured. A slightly modified version to feature saxophonist Tony Campisi was recorded by the Third Coast Jazz Orchestra on “Unknown Soldiers” (Sea Breeze label)

Instrumentation: 5/4/4/4
Grade Level: Difficult

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Play Demo
(recording is the Kendor Music demo not the recording by the Third Coast Jazz Orchestra)

Unknown Soldiers - 3rd Coast Jazz Orchestra

February 1, 2009 – 7:25 pm

Rick Lawn assembled a stellar cast of the finest musicians in Austin, Texas to present a 74 minute set of his original compositions and arrangements for jazz orchestra. Soloists featured include among others ex-Stan Kenton saxophonist Tony Campise, trumpeter Bob Meyer, Enja recording artist Mitch Watkins, View Point recording artist John Fremgen and Elias Haslanger, formerly with Maynard Ferguson. All arrangements are available from Walrus Music and the CD can be purchased from CD Baby. This recording features the “straight ahead” version of the same arrangement of “Donna Lee” included on Bobby Sanabria’s double Grammy nominated live recording Live and in Clave on the Arabesque label. Learn More>>

unknown_soldiers

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Outside the Box - Nova Saxophone Quartet

February 1, 2009 – 7:24 pm

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Outside the Box, Nova’s most recent CD was released on the Equilibrium label and features new works by Rick Lawn (Three Sketches for Saxophone Quartet) and Mike Titlebaum as well as classic works arranged for quartet ranging from J.S. Bach to Paul Hindemith, Russell Howland and Rudy Wiedoeft. In some cases the music featured on this recording can be purchased either from this web site or a commercial publisher. Links for music that can be purchased are included below.

Personnel: Douglas Skinner, Soprano; Richard Lawn, Alto; Gregory Wilson, Tenor, Joey Colarusso, Baritone


TRACKS

1. Russell Howland:

Quartet No.

I. First Movement

II. Second Movement

III. Third Movement

2. J. S. Bach:

Contrapunctus VII

3. Mike Titlebaum:

Prelude and Wobbly Dance (beginning and ending excerpts)

4. Paul Hindemith (arr. G.W. Knapp):

Seven Interludes from Ludus Tonalis

I. Allegro pesante

II. Moderato - III. Molto tranquillo

IV. Scherzo

V. Pastorale

VI. Vivace

VII. Marcia

5. Rudy Wiedoeft (arr. Richard Lawn):

Sax-O-Doodle publication available as a Rick Lawn.com Exclusive!!

6.Richard Lawn:

Three Sketches for Saxophone Quartet

I. Outside the Box

II. Old Friends

III. Mother Nature

Purchase from Amazon or Dorn.

Double Image - Nova Saxophone Quartet

February 1, 2009 – 7:23 pm

This recording, the quartet’s third and second initially released on the Musical Heritage Society, is now available exclusively from this web site! A number of titles on this recording are being offered for sale in the misc. music section of this web site. Scores and parts available here for purchase will be cross linked to the sample recordings that follow. Thanks for listening!

double-image-cover-final

Personnel: Douglas Skinner, Alto and Soprano; Richard Lawn, Alto and Yamaha WX-7; Gregory Wilson, Tenor; James Warth, Baritone

TRACKS

1. G.W. Knapp:

Quartet in C Minor

I. Introduction and Allegro

II. Sostenuto

III. Scherzo

IV. Rondo Pastorale

2. Richard Willis:

Tetralogue

I. Fantasia

II. Scherzino

III. Arioso

IV. Corrente

3. Hoagy Carmichael/Bix Beiderbeck (arr. Don Elam):

Riverboat Shuffle

4. Jelly Roll Morton (arr. Rick Lawn):

Black Bottom Stomp

5. Charlie Parker (Miles Davis):

Donna Lee

6. Rick Lawn

Newk Meets the President

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InNOVAtions - Nova Saxophone Quartet

February 1, 2009 – 7:22 pm

This is the second recording by the Nova Quartet with new personnel and Rick Lawn as the only constant, moving from soprano to alto. This may be the best recording available of Phil Woods first quartet especially since it includes the optional improvised extension to the first movement. The recording was first issued by the Musical Heritage with limited distribution. Rights have been reassigned to Nova and Rick Lawn so this music can once again be made available.We hope to eventually make the original manuscript version of Greg Knapp’s demanding arrangement of Debussy’s “Rapsodie,” originally composed for solo alto saxophone and orchestra. Some share the opinion that this original commission was never a great piece. Others may agree that this version for quartet is actually superior in making full use of the quartet to cover all solo and orchestral passages. This amazing work can be purchased in score and parts from this site.

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Personnel: Douglas Skinner, soprano; Richard Lawn, alto; Gregory Wilson, tenor; James Warth, baritone

Tracks

1. Douglas Walter:

Saxophone Quartet No.1

I. Quintalism

II. Transition

III. Finale

2. Eddie Sauter:

Saxophone Quartet No. 1 (”Q.T.”)

3. Seymour Barab:

Quartet for Saxophones

I. Allegro moderato

II. Non-expressivo

III. Presto

4. Claude Debussy (trans. & arr. G.W. Knapp):

Rapsodie for Saxophone and Orchestra

5. Phil Woods:

Three Improvisations for Saxophone Quartet

I.

II.

II.

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Boundaries

January 31, 2009 – 3:00 pm

A challenging, very contemporary chart that erases those lines between improvised and composed music; contemporary classical music and jazz; organization and chaos. Much of it is not based on traditional tonal organization though there are reoccurring themes, some chord progressions and pedal points to provide continuity. This chart was premiered by the Univ. of Texas at Austin Jazz Orchestra at the 1997 IAJE Convention. Solos are for Trumpet, Tenor, Piano, and Drums. Sax doubles. Chart works best with two keyboard players (piano and synth) though one will do especially if guitar is available. As recorded by 3rd Coast Jazz Orchestra Plays the music of Rick Lawn on Sea Breeze Jazz. See master Otter CD catalog.

Instrumentation: 5/4/4/4/(2 keyboards)
Grade Level: Difficult

Link to Publisher »

Score

Download Score

Play Demo

Trane of Thoughts

January 28, 2009 – 11:23 pm

Lots of Coltrane influence here with this chart. The melody is beautifully scored, making use of muted brass and saxes floating calmly over a quietly driving rhythm section. Lots of solo space, a fun development section, an optional sax soli and a perfect closing. Alto 1 doubles on soprano. As recorded by 3rd Coast Jazz Orchestra Plays the music of Rick Lawn on Sea Breeze Jazz. See master Otter CD catalog .

Instrumentation: 5/4/4/4/
Grade Level: Difficult

Link to Publisher »

Play Demo

Chasing After Dreams (10 Piece Chart)

January 28, 2009 – 11:12 pm

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

Score

Download Score

Buy for $15.00

(10P-012)


Hill Country Miniatures

January 28, 2009 – 11:10 pm

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