Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Latin - Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

This chart was one of the 5 nominated finalists for a Grammy Award (Best Instrumental Arrangement).

This arrangement of Joe Henderson's "Caribbean Fire Dance" maintains a smoldering intensity during even its more subdued moments, making it an appropriately fiery adaptation for a full big band. It is important for the ensemble to keep this in mind at all times when performing it.

A two bar ensemble fanfare sets up the churning Afro-Cuban groove in the rhythm section. Some textural background figures in the trombones and saxophones beginning at measure 11 set up the melody's entrance proper at measure 19, played by trumpet and soprano saxophone. Multiple layers of backgrounds are gradually added in over the course of the first two A sections until the melody shifts first to the full brass section at measure 35, then the full saxophone section at measure 43. The melody is then followed by two choruses of tenor sax solo at measure 51 and two choruses of trumpet solo at measure 87, with backgrounds entering behind the second chorus for each.

The ensemble shout at measure 123 serves as one of the high points of the arrangement, with the full horn sections blowing at full bore strength over the first two A sections of the form. This changes rather abruptly at measure 139, where the spotlight is handed off to a lengthy trombone solo. Although this solo begins over the form of the tune, things get much more open-ended beginning at measure 155, where the ensemble gradually fades down to nothing more than hand claps at measure 173 before gradually swelling back in to full strength for the final ensemble section at measure 211.

The arrangement's extended conclusion begins at measure 227, with the ensemble gradually building in intensity and volume around a drum solo. Everything comes to a fore following the end of the drum solo at measure 251, where the band reaches full power for its final fanfare, complete with some optional trumpet high note heroics.

This arrangement is for jazz big band. It is not a transcription - it has been prepared from John Fedchock's original score and parts.

Full Score
Soprano Saxophone
Alto Saxophone
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
4 Trombones
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drums

Trumpet 1: F#6 (opt. A6)
Trombone 1: A4