Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Funky, Straight Eighths - Medium Difficult

Publisher: Walrus Music Publishing

When composing this piece, MacDonald visualized the dramatic scenario of an authority figure living with a deep, dark secret. If revealed, this secret would derail every aspect of his life, and negatively impact hundreds of others. After living with the secret for many years, it becomes public knowledge and his worst fears are realized. As the piece develops, a wide spectrum of emotions are depicted: the adrenaline rush experienced in a lifestyle of duplicity, remorse and shame upon being caught, and the resolve shown in regrouping after one’s reputation has been obliterated.

Flugelhorn is prominently featured in the role of perpetrator, while brief solos are distributed throughout the band, representing those affected (alto 1, tenor 1, bari, trombone 2 and drums).  "The secret" is embodied in recurrent motivic material presented in a variety of stylistic settings, including a call & response chorale, syncopated funk, half-time rock, 3/4 March, and a morose trumpet/piano duo.

"Smoke and Mirrors" was commissioned and debuted in 2010 by the Amherst College Jazz Ensemble, as part of the Robin McBride '59 Jazz Commission Series.

Full Score
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
3 Trumpets
1 Flugelhorn
4 Trombones
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drums

Trumpet 1: E6
Trombone 1: A4