| Description |
"Strayhorn" for Alto Saxophone and Piano was written in 2000 by Charles H. Ruggiero. This is a real showpiece for Alto Saxophone and Piano. Strayhorn tunes in this medley include: Day Dream; Raincheck; A Flower is a Lovesome Thing; Blood Count; Upper Manhattan Medical Group; Take the "A" Train; Johnny Come Lately. A marvelous recital/concert piece. High recommended!
The composer writes"Some time ago you expressed interest in STRAYHORN, the concert arrangement for alto saxophone and piano of songs and instrumental pieces by Billy Strayhorn that I wrote for Joseph Lulloff and Jun Okada to perform on their 2000 recital at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. Shortly after the premiere, as you may recall, Joe and Jun recorded this arrangement for AUR Records (America’s Millennium Tribute to ADOLPHE SAX, Volume VI, AUR CD 3113).
Since the Carnegie Hall premiere, the 2001 AUR CD release, and subsequent performances at international, national, and regional conferences by Lulloff and Okada (also by Jonathan and John Nichol), many saxophonists have asked how they might get a copy of my STRAYHORN arrangement. Until now, copyright restrictions have prevented me from distributing STRAYHORN, but due to some persistent and persuasive negotiating with the various copyright holders by Ron Keezer, head of RGM, STRAYHORN finally is available for sale.
I much appreciate Ron Keezer’s efforts, and I hope you are still interested in obtaining a copy of the arrangement or in having your school’s library purchase a copy. STRAYHORN is available exclusively from RGM.
Please note: STRAYHORN (duration ca. 14 minutes) requires some improvisation on the part of the saxophonist, but the piano part is fully notated and does not call for any improvisation. |
