Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Latin - Medium Difficult

Publisher: Walrus Music Publishing

This simple guajira stays largely withing the traditional I-IV-V harmonic framework associated with this Cuban dance form. The unique character of this chart is created by attractive melodies, subtle orchestrational shadings and ever-changing interludes. Two cup-muted trombones introduce an arpeggiated figure accompanied only by a guiro. Then, along with the drumset, the real bass line begins (played on tuba or bass). Over this gentle-but-steady motor, a cup-muted trumpet sings a simple tune. Eight bars later, flutes and saxes join forces for a short bridge. The melody of the second chorus is stated by flute and muted trumpet in octaves with a fuller underpinning. This builds to another bridge which leads into the flugelhorn solo. The soloist plays 8 bars with the rhythm section before saxes and brass are layered into the mix. This time, the bridge is slightly extended (by way of a brief chorale for saxes and low brass) and modulates one whole-step down to set up a full-throated melody chorus, the only real tutti in the piece. Another extended bridge, more mysterious than the previous one, modulates back up to the original key for a flute solo. This solo section can be played more aggressively by the rhythm section (conjunto-style) and there are lots of cheeky, interlocking background figures for the band. One final variation of the bridge leads into a brief recap of the opening which fragments and fades to a quiet close.

Full Score
Flute
Flute/Alto Saxophone
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets (Trumpets 3 & 4 Double Flugelhorn)
3 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Tuba (Optional)
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Vibraphone (Optional)
Drum Set

Trumpet 1: C6