Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Swing - Difficult

Publisher: Walrus Music Publishing

Newly engraved edition for 2020!

Dizzyland was composed and arranged by Don Menza and recorded by his big band on their 1981 release Burnin'. Comprised of the best jazz players on the Los Angeles studio scene at the time, Menza made sure to give his whole trumpet section (composed of Bobby Shew, Chuck Findley, Don Rader, Frank Szabo and Ron King) a good work out on this cooker of a chart.

A corkscrewing unison trumpet line leads things off atop some stuttering ensemble hits before a quick dissonant hold ushers in the zippy melody at measure 11. The trumpet section, now in cup mutes, plays this section in unison as well, with mostly rhythm section accompaniment. Even when the saxes and trombones re-enter at measure 35, their figures are simplistic so as not to step on the melody. After a brief send-off at measure 43, each member of the trumpet section gets to stretch on an improvised solo chorus. Much like things were behind the melody, the horn backgrounds are fairly sparse in order to not distract from the soloists.

A typical high-energy Menza shout chorus begins after the final trumpet solo at measure 173 with a unison trumpet break. The first two A sections of the shout are still largely a feature for the trumpet section rather than the band as a whole. This changes at measure 185, where the trumpets finally re-join the rest of the band for some old-fashioned big band swing. Each trumpeter gets another brief solo spurt beginning at measure 201 before a unison a capella break at measure 213. The final measures of the arrangement rapidly build in range and intensity until one final blast, with the whole trumpet section engaging in one last stratospheric rip over top of everything.

This arrangement is for jazz big band, and features the entire trumpet section in both ensemble and solo sections. It is not a transcription - it has been prepared from Don Menza's original sketch score and parts.

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

Trumpet 1: F#6
Trumpets 2-5: Eb6
Trombone 1: Bb4