Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Samba - Difficult

Publisher: Walrus Music Publishing

Cachaca is a distilled spirit from Brazil made from fermented sugarcane juice and one of the most popular liquors in Brazil. Its clear appearance and mild fruity taste can fool the uninitiated consumer and even the most sophisticated aficionado into a false sense of security. I think the title says it all.

This hard driving samba gives the alto soloist a lot of opportunities for improvisation and the drummer some space to shine. It's a challenge for the whole ensemble but especially the brass. There are plenty of unison passages where 1 or 2 players can lay out to regain their chops. The open solo section at measure 48 can highlight not only the lead alto, but also any other soloist and it adds additional rest for the brass. Chord charts for that section (Bb, Eb & C) are included as extra parts.

This arrangement can be heard on my Grammy nominated recording On The Wild Side. Dynamically, let the alto and drums set the volume in the solo sections and try to exaggerate the dynamics, especially the subito mp at measure 182.

 

Full Score
2 Alto Saxophones (Both Double Flute)
2 Tenor Saxophones (Tenor Sax 1 Doubles Soprano Sax)
Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
3 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Guitar
Electric Keyboard
Electric Bass
Drum Set

Trumpet 1: G6
Trumpet 2: E6
Trumpet 3 and 4: D6
Trombone 1: A4