Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Swing - Advanced

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Rob McConnell found a wide variety of ways to document his appreciation for the music of Horace Silver over his many years as an arranger and bandleader. This re-imagining of Horace Silver's classic ballad Peace was recorded in 1980 for the Boss Brass's album Tribute, and sees the piece being completely reworked into an up-tempo feature vehicle for trumpeters Guido Basso and Sam Noto.

The performance begins with Basso and Noto playing a gently interweaving version of Silver's melody with piano accompaniment, lulling the listener into a relaxed mindset before an 8 measure drum solo establishes the brisk pace for the arrangement's duration. McConnell introduces a new musical theme at measure 29 based off of Silver's harmonic progression, but featuring a far more bop-like inflection.

A two-chorus ensemble shout commences following the melody at measure 59, and is trademark McConnell - harmonically dense, rhythmically involved, and brass-heavy. This shout chorus ultimately serves to set the stage for another duet between Basso and Noto, this time with the two trumpeters trading improvised lines with each other until Basso claims the spotlight for himself at measure 151. Basso's final chorus features some simple backgrounds before another ensemble shout at measure 191 sets up an extended solo for Noto. The backgrounds behind Noto's solo are recycled from before.

Following the extended trumpet showcase is a Terry Clarke drum solo that is built around a series of prodding hits from the horns and trombones. This goes on for a couple choruses, ultimately leading into another ensemble section at measure 291. This time, however, the two trumpets are featured as lead voices over the saxophone section in a lengthy, twisting, and technically demanding soli that will give your horn players more than a slight challenge. This soli is followed by another 8 bar drum solo that brings the arrangement full circle, with McConnell's new melody being repeated as it was toward the beginning. To bring things to a conclusion, the arrangement catches the listener by surprise with an unexpectedly (and decidedly not peaceful) dissonant final blast.

This publication was prepared from the set of parts in Rob McConnell's library - this is not a transcription.

Full Score
2 Alto Saxophones (Alto Sax 1 Doubles Soprano Sax)
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
5 Trumpets
2 Horns in F
3 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drums

Trumpet 1: E6
Trumpets 4 and 5: D6
Trombone 1: Bb4