Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Latin/Swing - Difficult

Publisher: Walrus Music Publishing

Esprit is an ideal whole-band feature alternating between medium-up tempo Latin (intros and interludes) and the larger proportioned straight-ahead jazz grooves. Playable at high school, collegiate and professional levels, it has been recorded by the New England Jazz Ensemble and UMass Jazz Ensemble, among others. After an elongated intro that gets the full ensemble involved, the initial melody is played by flugelhorn, alto, tenor and guitar (guitar can be optional) with ample band interaction, followed by a bridge that tosses the melody between sections, and a full ensemble/small group trade before returning to the intro material and soloist sendoff. The repeated solo section has backgrounds throughout and the choruses can be split among a variety of soloists.

The 'arrangers chorus' begins with a sax soli, then the ensemble trades fours with three successive soloists, before recapping the bridge and the last A. The extended tag includes a vamp-like portion over which one or all the soloists can play before the high energy ending replete with a fermata/drums/fermata sequence. Suitable for festivals, guest soloists, and as an opener/closer. Lead trumpet has an optional last note written high F but otherwise caps off at a written high D. Soloists: tenor sax, alto sax, flugelhorn, guitar, piano and/or trombone in solo section as desired. No sax doubles. Live demo recording by UMass Jazz Ensemble I from 'Pay The Fiddler' CD

Full Score
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
5 Trumpets (Trumpet 4 is on flugelhorn)
4 Trombones
Tuba
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Vibraphone (Optional)
Drums

Trumpet 1: F6
Trombone 1: