Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Swing - Advanced

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

It should come as no surprise that Rob McConnell's arrangement of Crazy Rhythm fully embraces the song title's implications. Featuring several surprise shifts in time signature and tempo, the chart will serve as a challenging but thrilling tour de force for both your trombone (as ensemble and soloists) and saxophone (as ensemble) sections.

Following an intro featuring rapid fire transitions between 4/4, 3/4, and 5/4, the arrangement settles into a blazingly fast swing feel. The trombones carry a densely re-harmonized version of the melody atop some simple backgrounds from the saxes and trumpets before the arrangement turns into an extended series of improvised solos. Chord changes are indicated in the first, second, and third trombone parts, each with a unique set of backgrounds. There's also a quick extension of the form during the second trombone solo, so be sure to not get caught off-guard by that.

Once the trombones wrap up their solo showcases, the tempo suddenly cuts to a half-time feel for a sax soli for one chorus. This soli contains a number of technically challenging passages that will give your players a good workout. Returning to the original brisk swing feel after the sax soli, the trombones resume melody duties atop some more quick shifts between 3/4 and 4/4. The final A section is briefly tagged before leading into an unexpectedly dissonant chord, with a trombone trio ascending up to a cluster that hangs over past the rest of the ensemble for a thrilling finale.

For this publication, extra optional parts for trumpet and trombone as substitutes for the two horn in F parts are included.

This publication was prepared from Rob McConnell's pencil score and the set of parts used during the recording session - this is not a transcription.

Full Score
2 Alto Saxophones (Alto Sax 1 Doubles Soprano Sax)
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
5 Trumpets
2 Horns in F (Or Trumpet 6/Trombone 6)
4 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drum Set

Trumpets 1 and 2: G6
Trombone 1: G5 (G above the treble staff)
Trombone 2: F5 (F above the treble staff)
Trombone 3: E5