Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Afro-Cuban - Medium Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

As unlikely a collaboration as the orchestra of Count Basie and the compositions of Oliver Nelson may seem, 1971's Afrique proved that the Basie band was more than capable of taking on the challenges of Nelson's ultra-modern writing style. Kilimanjaro is effectively a modified minor blues, performed over a dense Afro-Cuban groove with occasional brief shifts into 5/4 to provide performers and listeners alike with a nice surprise.

The structure of the arrangement is quite simple, with the main melody being repeated four times in total, twice before the solos and twice after. After a short introduction to establish the mood, the first melody statement is played by flute and Harmon muted trumpets, with the trombones and baritone sax providing some full-figured accompaniment in the gaps. The full band briefly peeks in for the first shift to 5/4 at measure 25 before the flute/trumpet trio plays the final riff.

A grandiose interlude played by the full ensemble separates the first two melody statements, with the second one being handled by the brass in unison with the saxes mimicking the trombone accompaniment from before. A solo section for flute and piano follows, with the two melody statements being repeated exactly as before after the soloists are done. Ending as simply as it began, the arrangement vamps and fades with the flute soloing atop the steadily churning horns and rhythm section.

This publication was prepared using Oliver Nelson's original pencil score - this is not a transcription.

Full Score
Flute
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
4 Trombones
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drums
3 Percussionists: Bongos, Congas, Guiro

Trumpets 1 & 2: D6
Trombones 1-3: C5