Composer/arranger George Russell gave me the idea for this different slant on the famous Miles Davis recording. In this case, everybody gets a chance to play Miles’ seminal solo over a very funky rhythm section groove. The solo section can be opened up for just about anyone in the band with backgrounds on cue that harken back to the original tune – and the only time you hear the tune itself.
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There is no demo audio preview file available yet. Sorry…
This shuffle arrangement of Gary McFarland’s tune requires alto to double on soprano and features lots of open space for solos by piano and trombone. A bass solo is optional as is the challenging woodwind soli for flutes and clarinets. This chart is a little reminiscent of Thad Jones’ “Don’t Get Sassy.”
Instrumentation: 5/4/4/3
Grade Level: Difficult
A Rick Lawn.Com Exclusive!
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Play Demo kitch
A 6/4 march-like groove turns into a Latin feel in the style of vintage Chuck Mangione complete with flugelhorn and soprano sax duet. This chart is very melodic and memorable but has a punch to it as well; and the groove is infectious. No recording other than the MIDI file below is yet available.
Instrumentation: 5/4/4/4
Grade Level: Medium-Difficult
A Rick Lawn.Com Exclusive!
Sorry but no recording available yet aside from a mp3/MIDI
Play Demo Parade of the Unicorns
View full score of Parade of the Unicorns – Full Score
Follow the link below to purchase score and parts for $40
One of my more recent compositions for big band, this chart is a tour de force for baritone soloist. It can be played with 5 saxes plus the soloist or with only 5 saxes. While the saxophone parts are challenging, brass parts are reasonable as are rhythm.
Instrumentation: 5/4/4/4
Grade Level: Difficult
A Rick Lawn.Com Exclusive!
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Play Demo
[audio:http://ricklawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/Hopscotch.mp3]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
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A new Sibelius engraved score and parts is now available.
Play Demo
[audio:http://www.ricklawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/Homage.mp3]
A big band arrangement of the exciting Russell Ferrante tune recorded by the YELLOWJACKETS on their Four Corners MCA Records release. This chart features a contemporary approach to rhythm changes but with a unique twist. A very challenging sax soli and solos for alto and guitar or piano are features of this demanding arrangement.
Instrumentation: 5/4/4/4
Grade Level: Difficult
A Rick Lawn.Com Exclusive!
This chart is being re-copied in Sibelius and will be available soon.
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[audio:http://ricklawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/Out of Town.mp3]
The debut recording by the Nova Quartet is still a classic featuring many of the Paris Conservatory “chestnuts” from the repertoire. All this great must is fortunately still in print and performed regularly by quartets around the globe. Music – the universal language!
| Track Info | Price |
|---|---|
| 1. Robert Clerisse: Introduction et Scherzo pub. by Leuc et Cie robert-clerisse-clip |
|
| 2. Jean Absil Suite sue des theme populaires roumains pub. by CeBeDeM |
“Allegro Vivace” absil-i-clip
“Andante con moto” absil-2-clip
“Scherzo Leggiero” absil-3-clip
“Andantino cantabile” absil-4-clip
“Rude et tres rhythme” absil-5-clip
3. Paul Pierne:
Trois Conversations pub. by Billaudot
“Conversation Amusante” three-conversation-i-clip
“Conversation Sentimentale” trois-conversation-ii-clip
“Conversation Animee” trois-conversations-iii-clip
4. Gabriel Pierne:
Introduction et Variations sur une ronde populaire g-pierne-clip (excerpt of beginning and ending)
Buy for $10
This original was composed for the Power of Ten and is featured as the ear opening first track on their CD Earth Tones. The strong chromatic intro makes one wonder where the chart is going, but once things settle down, the chart becomes a moody straight ahead tune with numerous dynamic contrasts and reoccurring Latin sections in a 12/8-feel. Solos can be for guitar/piano, trumpet, tenor, and drums – in other words there is lots of flexibility.
RickLawn.com Exclusive
Instrumentation: Alto,Ten,Bari, 2 Trumpets, 1 Trombone & Rhythm
Grade Level: Medium – Difficult
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Play Demo Never Too Late
This challenging arrangement of Russell Ferrante and Jimmy Haslip’s rhythm change based tune is available in the 5-sax and rhythm section version or a big band version also available on this web site. It can be found in the Big Band Charts section.
Instrumentation: Alto, Alto, Ten,Ten,Bari + rhythm section
Grade Level:Difficult
A RickLawn.Com Exclusive!!
[audio:http://ricklawn.com/rick_ftp/Recordings_/Misc./Out of Town-saxes.mp3]
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Compass was organized and based from 1969 through 1973 in Oneonta where the group performed primarily in concert settings at colleges and universities, mostly in New York State. Compass performances feature both original compositions as well the works of many of Americas greatest jazz legends.
Rick Lawn [saxophones], Joel Chace [keyboard], Tom Ives [bass] and Albert Colone[drums].
Lawn, a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, has had a stellar career in music teaching that has taken him from the University of Northern Iowa, to being Director of Jazz Studies at both the University of Texas and now at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where he is the former Dean of the College of Performing Arts and Professor Emeritus in the School of Music.
Chace, a native of Walton, currently teaches English at the Kent Place School in New Providence, NJ. Joel is a widely published poet and information about his work can be easily found by “Googling” him.
Colone runs a sport consulting business from Oneonta, his home town where he founded the International Soccer Hall of Fame.
Ives, a graduate of Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, recently retired as a music teacher from Cooperstown CS. Before his tenure at Cooperstown, he produced successful music programs at both Cherry Valley CS and at Draper CS. He and his wife Lorraine are founders of Cherry Valley Designs, producing hand made candles, Shalker furniture, and beautifully loomed quilts and such.
Compass is pleased to announce three confirmed
performances in the coming months.
Compass quietly retired the band in 2017
The following tracks featuring original material by the members of Compass were recorded in Philadelphia a few years ago. They were done at that time as slightly abbreviated versions for demo purposes only. We hope you enjoy what you hear.
Cleanin’ Up
[audio:http://ricklawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Cleanin-Up.mp3]Aria
[audio:http://ricklawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Aria.mp3]Seeds
[audio:http://ricklawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Seeds.mp3]Quiet Please!
[audio:http://ricklawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Quiet-Please.mp3]Slings & Arrows
[audio:http://ricklawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Slings-Arrows.mp3]
The band self produced an album entitled, “Compass Rises” in 1971 that featured original compositions written and arranged by Lawn and Ives. The original tracks are now considered collectors items by some and have been highly sought after by collectors. Record producers from as far away as France, Spain and the UK have requested copies and entertained a reissue of the original album. Recently Friederiksberg Records reissued Compass Rises on a high quality vinyl Lp and in digital formats through BandCamp [https://frederiksbergrecords.bandcamp.com/album/compass-rises]. Both the LP and digital download, which includes a live bonus track “Rain Dance,” includes an insert with the history of the band including some nicely reproduced photos of the band from the early 1970s. In addition, “Pharoah’s Thing” from the album has been licensed to Jazzman Records in the UK who will soon release a complilation of tracks by other “indie” jazz groups.
Ives, with Lawn, composed and arranged “What is Man?” an ecumenical jazz service that featured jazz quartet, church organ, voices, a baritone soloist and a narrator with an visual presentation. It was premiered in New York City and later produced for television by Iowa Public Broadcasting by Lawn and the University of Northern Iowa. Scenes from this video production are available below. Many have asked if this cantata is available and we are happy to report that it now is available in rental form. The music can be rented along with the quartet, or if you prefer, Tom and Rick will help to rehearse the work in preparation for performance by ensembles of your choosing. Fees are negotiable based on the package that best suits your needs.
Video Excerpts from WHAT IS MAN?
Opening Scene (more…)