Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Swing - Medium

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Harry James, one of the leading trumpeters of the Swing Era, was a huge fan of the sound and style of the 1950s Count Basie Orchestra. James hired several of Basie's arrangers to write arrangements for him in the early 1960s, including Neal Hefti, Ernie Wilkins, and Thad Jones. Many of Thad's contributions were recorded by James, including charts that made up the the entire 1964 record New Versions of Down Beat Favorites, two charts on Our Leader! and still more in the 1970s. However, several of these were never recorded or available-until now; they remained a part of Harry James's library and were discovered in his archives. Highlights include totally different versions of familiar Jones classics Three and One and Tip Toe. These charts beautifully illustrate how Thad had such a unique talent for writing within the established style of others' bands, while still managing to instill his own musicality in each piece. These have never been published previously, and along with enlarging the existing Jones canon, they will also give the world yet another window via which to view the mastery of this giant of arranging.

This arrangement of the Thad Jones original composition Don't Min-Us is a minor blues and features a solo section for tenor saxophone. The arrangement closes out with an exciting shout chorus.

The sound sample is courtesy of the Frost Studio Jazz Band, Stephen Guerra director, Frost School of Music, University of Miami.

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

Trumpet 1: E6
All Trombones: Cb5