Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Contemporary - Medium

Publisher: Walrus Music Publishing

"The Dude Abides" was commissioned by the California Band Directors Association for the 2007 IAJE/CBDA California All State High School Jazz Band. If you like your jazz with a healthy dose of distorted guitar, angular ostinati and an overabundance of minor 9 chords, or if you simply enjoy strange pieces with wild dynamic ranges, textural free sections and complex rhythmic counterpoint, this one's for you. Beginning with a heavy metal-inspired ostinato in the bass and piano underneath a floating long-tone melody accompanied by minimalistic riffs in the vibes and guitar, this piece eventually snakes through a muted-brass brush solo in the drums, a quasi-afro-cuban 12/8-ish tenor solo and some well-placed collective improvisation in the winds, culminating in a gentle straight 8 waltz featuring the same melody from the heavy beginning. Solo space is best for advanced tenor and pianist, with additional room for upright bass and drums. Alto I doubles flute, Alto II and Tenor II double clarinet, Bari doubles Bass Clarinet. Difficult.

Full Score
2 Alto Saxophones (Alto 1 Doubles Flute, Alto 2 Doubles Clarinet)
2 Tenor Saxophones (Both Double Clarinet)
Baritone Saxophone (Doubles Bass Clarinet
4 Trumpets
4 Trombones
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Percussion: Vibraphone/Bells
Drums