Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Rock - Medium

Publisher: Walrus Music Publishing

As a band leader who is tasked with putting together the program/set list/concert I’ve always felt the need for charts that fill a certain gap in programming. We all like to open and close our set with a “barn burner.” We also try to insert a ballad toward the middle of the set to change it up. This leaves “the gap” in our program that really needs to be filled with charts that are NOT barn burners or ballads but rather medium to “up” tempo charts that both provide variety and engage the audience in such a way as to create interest as well as deliver big applause!

I’ve discovered that a well-crafted “story” used as an intro creates a context for the music that allows the listener to engage in the piece and clearly be able to visualize the “story” as the music unfolds. I also believe that if the “story” contains a little humor, it becomes even more effective and engaging.

“Jed, The Big Ol’ Drummer Dude” – The Story: As a poor young boy, Jedidiah was asked to play his drum in a manger, not realizing what all was really happening. The little drummer boy, after tumbling to the fact that he was totally without a gift like the others, said to himself, “What this party needs is a drum solo!” He then proceeded to absolutely nail 64 bars of his best stuff which got him a standing ovation….a small consolation because everyone was already standing!

Because of the exposure this gig gave him, Little Jedidiah became first call for almost all the Christmas gigs in Bethlehem going forward. Over time, however, Jedidiah began to tire of getting only Christmas gigs year after year and really started getting bored with his bread and butter, “rum-pa-pum-pum” schtick.

As a result, Jedidiah decided to re-invent himself and began learning every style of music he could, listening to the best local drummers, and even creating some new beats and rhythms on his own. A little-known fact is that Jedidiah was actually the first to create rock & roll, funk and even swing rhythms centuries before they became popular.

After a complete makeover of his image and style, Jedidiah was finally ready to “take it on the road” and, as a result, “Jedediah, The Little Drummer Boy” was transformed into “Jed, The Big Ol’ Drummer Dude” whose resulting fame led his descendants to carry on his legacy for centuries.

NOTES for the Director: This is a feature for you drummer. The solo in the intro can be open or a set number of bars and the only direction is that it start with the simple “rum-pah-pum-pum rhythm” of the Little Drummer Boy, then gradually morphing into a rock beat at 150 beats per minute. The end of the solo should decrescendo down to pianissimo to set up the trombone entrance.

Full Score
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
3 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drum Set